The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-02
BADGE
Of
SERVICE
By Frank II. Sweet.

blei" cried the Count rapturously ZEE.
is in Paris that you vanish this three
mont, and we nevaire know to where.
Some say to Italee, and some that you
fly back to heaven. where they keep re
angels. But eet is heaven that you
make anywhere Now | know why the
place here seem so beautiful; eet is the
ANGEL
May laughed and gave him her hand
Thank you, Count" she said. Il am
glad to see you also. You are sure to
like it here-even without the angel.
And ycl, too, Mr.. Bethune." Offering
her hand to the sculptor. Can you not
make pretty speech like the Count?"
Il am afraid not" smiling down at
her. only that ] am very very glad to
find YOU here. Miss Allyn. Your pres
ence viii add much toto our pleas
ure."
why, really. that does very nicely"
She twirled the brush with a pretty
unconscious movement that caused the
tips of its feathers to flick across one
Of the palm fronds near. The motion
caught the Counts attention, and with
wondering CONSERVATION his eyes went
from it 10 her white apron and to the
badge Of servitude upon her head, and
his sloping shoulders stiffened suddenly
into protesting reserve.
"Pardonnez," he rebuked, but eet is
so hurry / am now. | will see. Mon
sieur Bethune viii tell you we have not
register yet / will do eet now"
May watched him hurry away with
an odd look of inquiry in her eyes.
What's the matter with the Count?"
she asked innocently. Has he forgot
ten something?"
Bethune laughed joyously A moment
before there had been both reserve
and repression in his eyes, now they
were suddenly eager, glowing, deter
mined.
THE Counts an odd sort of stick"
he answered, "and his visit here is
confessedly in search of a rich Ameri-
can wife,
He raised his hand significantly to-
ward her head: but for moment she
looked puzzled. then a quick, compre-
hending flush rose to her face.
"Oh, that" she said thoughtfully.
And your"
Bethune laughed again. He could not
help it.
Cant you see, Miss Allyn" he de-
manded. II fancied it was sticking out
all over me. Over yonder 1 was
poor devil of an artist and you a rich
heiress, and now-oh, May!"
There was the soft rustic of silk NOV
ing across the carpet. May raised her
finger
-hdtAliId u toBllIEs Snt WdIuGQ.
Il don't care" impetuously. I've
got to speak now. / can't wait an
other day. Where can 1 see you
alone?"
She hesitated. then appeared to con-
slider
The maids and nurses usually walk
on the beach at about 3 o'clock" she
said demurely. Il expect 1 shall be
there"
At O'Clock two wheel chairs swept
leisurely down the bicycle avenue and
on past the Breakers toward the beach.
il was the hour for Mrs Allyn's daily
outing, and she preferred to take it in
a wheel chair and leisurely. The occu-
pant Of the other chair was Count
IOrtegan, and from the satisfaction
on his face he had evidently discovered
the mistake. AS they turned toward
the beach path they saw two figures
approaching them only a few yards
away
There's May now," exclaimed Mrs.
Allyn. Suppose we wait a few min
utes and speak with her."
The Counts face grew eager. and
words of an elaborate apology began
TO form in his mind; but as the figures
drew near and he saw the expression
on their faces as they looked at each
other the apology died away and a
Partisan oath, muttered under his
breath. took its place. He merely
bowed politely and then waited for
Mrs. Allyn to give the signal to go on.