The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31


adopt youl
1t was all so strange. that I had to
keep talking TO keep from dreaming.
1 was talking away TO the matron and
the Bishop about the play-rOOm I'm
going to fit up out of that bare little
place upstairs. Perhaps the same child
doesn't stay there very long. but
thereH always be children to I'll it
mOre's the cruel pity,
Then the Bishop and 7 climbed up
there to see it and plan about it. But
couldn't really see it, Mag, nor the poor.
white-faced wise-eyed little waits that
have succeeded US, for the tears in my
eyes and the ache ct my heart and the
queer trick the place has OF being peO-
pied with you and me, and the boy
with the gOuged eye. and the cripple,
and the rest.
He put his gentle thin old arm about
my shoulders for a moment when he
saw what was the matter with me-
oh, he understands. my Bishop. And
then we turned to go downstairs.
OH want want TO DO something
for them" / cried Il want to do
something that counts. that's got a
heart in il. that knows, You knew.
didn't you, il was true-what ] said
downstairs? i was-i am Cruelty
girl. Help ne to help oth~rs like me"
My dear. he saiG. very stately and
sweet. III be proud To be your assist
ant. You'Ve a kind, true nsart and
And just at that minute as I was
prece ding him down the narrow steps,
a girl in u red coat trimmed with chin
chiila ard in d led tOque with some OF
the same fur blocked our say as she
was coming up.
We looked al each other. you've seen
two peacOc,-s spread their tails and
strut Is they pass each other2 Well,
the peacock coming UP wasn't I'm 10 with
the ohe going down. Her coat wasn't
So fine, nor so heavy, rOr so newly,
snattly cut. Her Jcuue wasn't so big
nor So saucs,, and the fur ON it-nOt to
mention that the dcsceuG-ns peacock
was brunette and well, Mas,
L had my day Miss Evelyn kingdom
paid me back in that minute for all the
envy I've spent on chat pretty rig OF
hers.
She didn't recognize me. Of course.
even though the two red coats were 50
near, as she stopped to let me pass, that
they kissed ike sisters. ere they parted.
But, Mag. Nancy OIdeu never got
naughty that there wasn't fall wait
ing for her. Back Of Miss kingdom
stood Ms. Kinsdon-stii Mrs King
don. thanks to Nance Olden-and be-
hind her, at the foot Of the steps. was
a fraiI little cld-fashioned bundle OF
black satin and old lace. I lost my
breath when the Bishop hailed his
wife.
Maria. he said-sOrle men say their
wives frst names all the years of their
'livss as they said them on their we'd
ding day want you 10 meet Miss
Olden-Nance Olden. the comedian.
She's the girl I wanted for my daugh-
ter-youH remember, it's more than
year ago now since 1 began 10 talk
about her2'
I held my breath while I waited for
her answer. But her poor, short-sisht-
ed eyes rested on my hot face without
a sign.
ITS an old joke among us she said
pleasantly, about the Bishops daugh-
ter
We stood there and chatter. and tho
Bishop turned away to speak TO Mrs.
Kingdom. Then seized my chance.
I've heard. Mrs. Van Wagenen.' I
said softly and ON. as nicely as I could,
"Of your fondness for lace. We are go
ing abroad in the spring. my husband
and 7. to Malta. among other places.
Can't I get you d piece there as a SOU
venir of the Bishops kindness to me?''
Her little lace-mittened. parchment
like hands clasped and unclasped with
an almost childish eagerness.
"Oh. thank you, thank you very
much; but if you would give the sans
sum to charity"
II WILL" 1 laughed She couldn't
guess how glad I was to do this thing.
And I'll spend just as much on your
lace and be so happy if yOu'n accept
it."
I promised Henrietta box for to-
night, Maggie and one to Mrs. King
don. The Dowager told me she'd love
to come, though her husband "a out Of
town, unfortunately. she said.
But you'll come with me. won't you,
Bishop" she said. turning to him And
you. Mrs. Van?'
The Bishop blushed. Was he think
ing Of Beryl I wonder But dIdn'E
hear his answer. for it was at that
moment that / caught Fred's voice.
He had told me he was going to call
for ME. 1 think he fancied that the
old Cruelty would depress meas
dreams OF 1t have. you know; and he
wanted to come and carry me away
from it. just as at night when I've
walked shivering and moaning. Tvs felt
his dear arms lifting me out OF the
black night-memory OF II.
But It was anything but a dolefuI
Nance he found and hurried down the
snowy steps out to a hanson and or
TO rehearsal For the Bishop had said
to me, God bless you. child" when he
shocks hands with both OF as at part
ing. and the very Cruelty seemed to
smile a grim benediction, as we drove
Off together, on Fred and
NANCY o.