The San Francisco call., 1904-09-18

Eltek as she glanced AhNoA u
ri he speaker. Something in his
- smile. in the G. nical suggestive
ness cf his deferential one. mad
dened he~.
t-To the best Of nay belief" she said.
with quiet dignity. Il have never seen
either of you before in my life.'
For fraction Of a second the two
young men hesitated- Then The fore
most bowed and passed on.
Il am exceedingly sorry he said.
PRAY accer, my apologies"
And mine" murmured his COM
panicn. with the smile still lingering
Urcn h iius.
They TOOK their places at distant
table. Anna sat quite still for mo-
ment. and then the color suddenly re-
turned 10 her cheeks. She laughed
softly. anG leaned across the table.
DO not look so uncomfortable.
both oc you she begged. Those
young mea startled me at first, be-
cause they knew my name. 1 am quite
sure though that they did not mean TO
be rude"
-Impudent beggars.' Sydney. growi-
ed. Il never wanted to kick any one
so mulh D IN mS life as that second fell
low"
Il think. Anna said, that it was
only hIs manner. Do look at this ira
gedy in mauve, who has just come in.
What can she be? The wife of a
country traoesman. or a Duchess? And
such % meek little husband, too. What
can she have done TO deserve such a
laseg OH"
ner 10th turned round at Annals
cx, lamatiou. familiar figure was
making his way toward them. sgd
Hey sprang up.
Why, rs David." he exclaimed.
~Huilo."
OOurtlaw, hGggard. his deep-set eyes
moe brilliant than ever, took Anna s
hal4d into his and breathed a little
t.ose-crslsn sigh Of content. He was
introduced 10 Brendon and a chair was
blUueht by an attentive waiter. He
oecuned supper. but took wine
nave you dropped from the skIes?'
Sydney askrs- wOnderingly. 1t was
U4..y yesterday l had your letter and
sUl never mentioned coming over.
Il had some unexpected business,
CourL4aW answered shortly.
And hOW did you find US hereT
Il called at Montague street a few
minutes after you had left Mrs. White
tOlu me n here TO hnd you.
he leaned back in his chair as though
weaIied. Yet either the rest or the wine
seemed already 10 have done him good
The lines about his mouth gradually
sOfIened. i1e talked very little and
rather abseHIly. In no way could be
be said 10 contribute TO the gayety Of
the little party. But when they were
on their way out he whispered in
Annas ear:
f1ease let me drive you home 1
want TO talk TO you, and / must return
Tomorrow.
Anna hesitated.
We are Mr.. Brendon's guests" she
said, and ! scarcely think it would be
nice Of me to leave him alone with
Sydney"
Covrtlaw turned abruptly to Bren-
don.
Mr. Brendon," he said, may 1 rob
you Of your guest Just for the drive
home? I have only a few hours in
England, and Miss Pellissier is an old
friend"
BY all means" Brendon answered.
We will follow you in another cab"
They passed out on TO the pavement,
and the commissionaire called a han
som. The man looked closely at Anna
as she crossed the footway, and as he
held her skirt from the wheel he press
ed something into her hand. Her fin
gers closed upon il instinctively. It was
letter. She slipped IL calmly into her
pocket. The cOmmissionaire smiled. 1t
was sovereign easily earned.
The hanson drove of. Suddely Anna
felt her hand seized and imprisoned in
Courtlaw's burning fingers. She
glanced into his face It was enough.
j have stood IL for a month, Anna -
he exclaimed. You will not even an
swer my letters. could not keep away
any longer"
do you think that IT was wise Of
you, or kind 10 conner" she asked oui-
city.
Wise, Kind What mockery words
are! came because ] had TO. I can
not live without you, Anna. Come back
You must come back We can be
married tomorrow in Paris. There!
You are trying TO take your hand
away"
You disappoint me-" she said wear
tly. You are talking like boy What
is the use OF it2 ] do not wish to mar
~ you. do not wish to return TO
Paris. You are doing your best to
break our friendship"
1T is you" he cried, you, who are
talking folly, when you speak OF
friendship between you and me. It is
not the woman who speaks there II is
the vaporing schoolgirl. ] tell you that
love you, Anna, and believe that
you love me. You are necessary 10
me shdll give you my life, every
moment and thought Of my life. You
must come back. See what you have
made Of me. cannot work. cannot
teach. You have grown into my life
and I cannot tear you out"
Anna was silent She was trembling
a little. The mans passion was in
fectiouS. She had 70 school herself
70 speak the words which she knew
would cut him like a knife.
frVou ara mist Eau David hava
counted you, and always hoped 20
count you, the best Of my friends. But
DO not love you'll do not love any
one"
Il don't believe IT," he answered
hoarsely. We have come too close to-