The San Francisco call., 1904-12-11
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oh, no, 1 don't mean it. of course.
What would be the good, when most
men don't know the diference?'
You're certainly good corrective
to idealism."
II ought to be- Well well. Anna can
look after herself"
1T isn't as if one positively knew
anything against him.
"One might mind ones own business,
even if one did Christine observed.
"Oh, I don't quite agree with you
there. If one saw an innocent girl"
Eva? Oh. YOU mOthersi"
Il suppose 1 was thinking OF her.
Christine, did Sibylla ever
Not the least, L believe" said Chris
tine with infinite cOrnDosure.
ITS no secret Walter Blake did"
Are there any secrets?" asked
Christine IT'D seem a pity TO waste
anything by making a secret Of il. One
can always get a little comfort by
thinking of the pleasure ones sins have
given. It's really YOUR duty to your
neighbor to be talked about. You
know Harriet Courtland's begun her
action? There'n be no defense, I sup
pose."
HAS she actually begun? How
dreadful. Poor Tom. John tried to
bring her round. didn't he?"
A curious smile fiickered on Chris
tines lips. Yes, but that didn't do
much good to anybody"
She flew out at him, / supposeF'
$50 1 understood" Christine was
smiling oddly still
And what will become Of those un-
They have their mother. 1t nature
makes mistakes in mothers. I can't
help it, Kate"
rs she cruel to them?"
"I expect sO-but 1 daresay it's not
so trying as a thoroughly well conduct
ed home"
Really, it's lucky you've no chill
dren," laughed Kate.
Really it is, Kate. and you've hit
the truth" Christine agreed
Kate RavmOre looked at the pretty
and still youthful face. and sighed.
You're too good, really, to say that"
Christine shrugged her shoulders i'm
patiently. Perhaps I meant lucky for
the children. Kate" she smiled.
And 1 suppose it means ruin to
poor Tom? Well, he's been very silly.
1 met him with the woman myself"
WAS she good lOo<ing?"
AS if 1 noticed Why, you might be
mani Besides it was only decent to
look away"
Yes, one looks on till there's a row
and then one looks away. I suppose
that's Christianity"
Now. really, 1 must beg you. Chris
tine"
Well, Eva's not in the room. is she.
You're quite at your worst this aft
ernoOn." She came and touched her
happy?"
Don't! It's your business to be good
and sympathetic-and stupid" said
Christine. wriggling under her affec-
tionate touch.
But Johns affairs are ever so much
better, aren't they?''
Yes. ever so much It's not Johns
affairs. It's Good gracious, who's
this?"
Something like a tornado had sud
denly swept into the room. II was
Jeremy in a state of high excitement.
He had a letter in his hand, and
rushed up TO Kate Raymore, holding
1T out At first he did not notice Chris
tine.
I've had a letter from SibylIa-"
he began excitedly.
ANY particular news?" asked Chris
tine quickly.
"Oh, 1 beg your pardon. Mrs. Fan
shaw! II didn't see you" His man
ner changed Christine's presence evil
IDENTIFY caused him embarrassment.
mo; no particular news. lists not
about her. 1 mean
''TH go if you like, but I should
dearly like to hear" She looked i'm
ploringly at Jeremy: she was thinking
that after all he was a very nice boy.
Give me the letter. Jeremy. Show
me the place" said Kate Raymore
Jeremy did as she bade him and
stood waiting with eager eyes Chris
tine made no preparations for going:
she thought that with a little tact she
might contrive TO stay and hear the
news. She was not mistaken
Dora Hutting engaged" said Kate,
with a long breath.
Jeremy nodded portentousty.
Good gracious mel" murmured
Kate.
ITO a curate-a chap who's q cura4s,"
said Jeremy. His tone was fun OF
meaning.
Wasn't she always High Church7-'
asked Christine sympathetically.
why, you never knew her, Mrs
Fanshaw?"
mo, but most curates are High
Church now, aren't they7"
IT'S very curious, isn't 1t. JsrsmyT'
asked Mrs. Raymore. Met him at
her aunt's, I see Sibylla says"
Jeremy stood before the IRE with
knitted brows Yes, at her aunt's"
he repeated thoughtfully.
why Is 1t curious, Kate?
"Oh. you know nothing about It.
Christine"
I'm trying to learn-if Mr. Child
dingfold would only tell me"
ITS nothing. lists just a girl
I used to know, Mrs. Fanshaw."
"Ah. those girls one used to know,
MT. ClluuluSlOlu.
Jeremy laughed-he laughed rather
knowingly.
sued Christine.
ooh. come now. say. Mrs. Fan
shawl"
It's no use trying to be serious with
her, Jeremy. Well read all about IL
when she's gone"
'sYes, all right. But to think! Well,
I'm dining here, am not?'
"Oh, yes" said Christine reassur-
ingly.
Christine, you're very impertinent
Yes, of course, Jeremy, and Wen dis
cuss 1t then. Why don't you find Eva?
She's in the library, think"
"Oh, is she? Then II might as well.
mightnt II" He spoke nstIessly, al
most reluctantly. And he did not leave
the room by straight path, but drift
ed out Of it with an accidental air,
lingering a book or two and a nick
mack or two on his devious way. Chris