The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-11
CHAPTER VIII.
whites"

orlSnt-eyed, 1uIl to the brim Of the In
Suitable curiosity OF youth-the desire
to understand and appreciate this new
world In which she found herself She
was practically an Outcast, she had not
even the ghost OF plan as TO her fu-
ture, and she had something less than
five pounds in her pocket. She watched
the people and hummed softly to her
self.
Suddenly she thrust her head out Of
the window.
please stop, cabman." she ordered
The man pulled up. 1t was not a dif-
fcult affair.
rs this Montague street. w CIR
she asked.
The man looked as though he would
have liked to deny it, but could not.
Stay where you are for a moment"
she directed. L want to find an adj
dress"
The man contented himself with q
nod. Anna rummaged about in her
dressing case and finally drew out q
letter. On the envelope was written
SYDNEY COURTLAW, Esq,
Is Montague st.
She put her head out of the window.
Number IS, please, cabman."
We've come past it, miss" the man
answered with a note Of finality in his
gruff voice.
Then turn round and go back there"
she directed.
The man muttered something In
audible. and gathered up the reinA
His horse, which had apparently gone
to sleep, preferred to remain where he
was After certain amount OF ma
neuVering, however, he was induced to
crawl around, and in a few minutes
came 70 stop again before q tall,
brightly painted house, which seemed
like an oasis Of color and assertive
prosperity in a long dingy row. This
was number 13 Montague street, famil-
iarly spoken of in the neighbOrhOOd as
Whites"
Anna promptly alighted with the let
ter in her hand. The door was opened
for her by a weary-IOOking youth in
striped jacket several sizes too large
for him. The rest Of his attire was
nondescript.
Does Mr.. Courtlaw. Mr.. Sydney
Courtlaw. live here, please?" Anna
asked him.
Not home yet, miss" the young man
replied. Generally gets here about To
Anna hesitGted and then held out the
letter.
Il think that viii leave this letter
for him. she said. 1T is from his
brother in Paris. Say that I will call
again or let him know my address in
London"
The young man accepted the latter
and the message, and seemed about to
close the door when a lady issued from
one Of the front rooms and interviewed.
She wore a black satin dress, a little
shiny at the seams, a purpOSeleSs bow
of white tulle at the back of her neck
and a huge chatelaine She addressed
Anna with a beaming smile and very
creditable mixture Of condensation and
oficiousness. Under the somewhat
trying incandescent light her cheeks
pleaded guilty to a recent use OF the
powder puff.
II think that you were inquiring for
Mr.. Courtlaw." she remarked He II
one of our guestS-perhapS I should
say boarders here, but he seldom re-
turns before dinner time. We dine az
1880. Can 1 give him any message for
you?"
Thank you" Anna answered. II
have letter for him from his brother,
which 1 was just leaving"
II will see that he gets it Immediately
on his return" the lady promised
You did not wish to see him particu-
larly this evening, then?"
Anna hesltated.
well, no." she answered. To tan
you the truth though, 1 am quite .
stranger in London, and it occurred
to me that Mr.. COurtIaw might have
been able to give me an idea where to
stop
The lady in black satin looked at tha
Were you thinking of private apart
ments, a boarding house or a hotalfs
she asked.
II really had not thought about & AZ
ALL Anna answered, smiling. 7 ex.
pected to stay with a relation, but I
found that their arrangements did noe
allow of it. 1 have been used to living
in apartments in Paris. but I suppose
the system is different here"
The lady in black satin appeared IN
decided. She looked from Anna, who
was far too nice looking to be travelling
about alone, TO that reassuring pils Of
luggage. and wrinkled her browl
thoughtfully.
"Of course" she said dIfldsntfy,
''this is a boarding house, although We
never take in prOmiscuOus travellers.
The class Of guests we have are all
permanent, and I am obliged to Be
very careful indeed. But If you are
a friend of Mr.. Courtlaw's-I Hh0uld
like to oblige Mr.. Courtlaw."
ct is very nice Of you to think %
It," Anna said briskly. II should really
like to find somewhere to stay, X IL Wa
only for few nights"
The lady stood away from the doom
"Will YOU come this way" shs said,
into the drawing-room7 There n NJ
one there just now. Most OF my peo-
pie are upstairs dressing for dinner.
The gentlemen are so particular now
and a good thing, too. I say. was
always used to II, and think II gives
quite q tone to an establishment.
Please sit down, Miss dear ma
haven't asked your name yet"
MY name Is Pellissier," Anna eA4d1
ANNA Pelllssier."
At am Mrs. White" the lady IN black
satin remarked 1T makes one zeal
quite awkward to mention such
thing, but after all I think that II II
best for both parties. Could You givO
me any references?"
'"Ehere is MIR. Courtlaw." Anna said.
"and my solicitors, Messrs- lie Merctw
& Stowe Of St. Heliers- They are rather
a long way Off. but you could write -
them. 1 am sorry that / do not know
any one In London. But after all, Mra.
White, am not at all sure that could
afford to come to you. I am shock
ingIy poor Please tell me what your
terms are"
ssWen." Mrs. White said slowly. ~
depends a good deal upon what room