The San Francisco call., 1904-09-18


NAV have contracted, in addition 10
this annuity YOU will not ma me un
reasonable.
Anna glanced momentarily toward
her sister, but Annabel neither spoke
nor moved.
with regard to the conditions 1
mentioned" Sir John continued, galn>
ing a little confidence from Anna
silence, II think you will admit thal
they are not wholly unreasonable
should require you to accept no en-
pIoyment whatever upon the stage
and to remain out of England
Annals demeanor was still imperturo-
able. her marble pallor untinged oy
the slightest fash Of color. She regard
ed him coldly, as though wondering
whether he had anything further 10 say
Sir John hesitated and then continued
II trust" he said that you VIII
recognize the justice Of these condl-
tions Under happier circumstances
nothing would have given me morS
Measure than to have offered you
home with your sister. You yourseiI'
7 am sure, recognize how Impossible
YOU have made it fer me now TO do
anything Of the sort. I may say that
the amount of annuity 1 propose 10 al
low you is two hundred year.
Anna looked for moment steadily
at her sister, whose face was stlll
ayerted. Then she moved toward the
door. Before she passed out she turned
and faced Sir John. The impassivity OF
her features changed at last Her eyes
were lit with mirth, the corners OF her
mouth quivered.
Really. Sir john" she said. 'I don't
know how to thank you. I can under
stand now these newspapers when they
talk Of your magnificent philanthropy.
1t is magnificent indeed And yet-yOu
millionaires should really, think, eul-
tivate the art Of discrimination. l am
so much obliged to you for your
projected benevolence. Frankly. 1t is
the funniest thing which has ever hap
pened to me in my life. / shall like TO
think Of it-whenever 1 feel dull Good
by, Annal"
AnnabeI sprang up. Sir John waved
her back.
do 1 understand you then to refuse
my offer?" he asked Anna.
She shot sudden glance at him. Sir
John felt hot and furious. 1t was mad
dening to be made to feel that he was
in anv way the inferior Of this cool,
elf-possessed Young woman, whose
eyes seemed for moment TO scintilate
with scorn There were one or two bit
ter moments in his life when he had
been made to feel that gentility laid on
with brush may sometimes crack ana
show weak places - that department
and breeding are after all things apart
Anna went out.
Her cheeks burned for a moment or
two when she reached the street, al
though she held her head upright and
walked blithely, even humm1ng 70 her
self fragments Of an old French song.
And then at the street corner she came
face to face with Nigel Ennison-
IT won't pretend" he said. that this
is an accident. The fates are never so
kind to me. AS a matter Of fact have
been waiting for you"
She raised her eyebrows
Really" she said And by what
right do you do anything OF the sort?''
mo right at ALL he admitted. "Only
II Is much too late for you to be out
alone. You have been to see your sis
ter. of course. How is she?"
My sister is quite well. thank you"
she answered. would you mind call
ing that hanson for me?"
He looked at it critically and shook
his head.
You really couldn't ride in It," he
said deprecatingly. THE horses knees
are broken, and am not sure that the
man is sober. I would sooner see you
in bus again"
She laughed.
DO you mean to say that you have
been here ever since came?"
dIU Lldl COuIeSS IL
he answered. 'Idiotic. isn't it?"
Absolutely" she agreed coldly. It
wish you would not do TT
would not do what?'
"Well, follow omnibuses from Russell
square to Hampstead"
Il can assure you" he answered.
that it isn't habit Of mine. But Sc
riously-"
well, seriously?"
Isn't it your own fault little? Why
do you not tell me your address and al
low me to call upon you?"
why should I? have told you that
I do not wish for acquaintances in Lon
DON"
Perhaps not in general way" he
answered calmly. You are quite right.
I think. Only 1 am not an acquaint-
ance at all. I am an old friend, and
decline to be shelved."
Would you mind telling me-. Anna
asked. how long knew you in Paris?"
He looked at her sideways. There was
nothing to be learned from her face.
WELL he said slowly, Il had met
you three times before Drummond's
dinner"
"Oh. Drummond's dinner!" she re-
peated. You were there, were your"
He laughed little impatiently.
Isn't that rather a strange question
under the circumstances" he asked
quietly.
Her cheeks flushed a dull red. She
felt that there was a hidden meaning
under his words Yet her embarrasS-
ment was only passing thing. She
dismissed the whole subject with a lit
tie shrug of the shoulders.
I'VE are both of US trenching upon
forbidden ground" she said. 1T was
perhaps my fault. You have not for
gotten"
II have forgotten nothing" he an
swered, enigmatically.
Anna hailed an omnibus He looked
at her reDroachfully. The omnibus,
however. was full. They fell into step
again. More than ever a sense Of con-
fusion was upon Ennison-
Last time I saw you." he reminded
her, "you spoke. did you not, Of obtain
ing some employment in London?"
'Quite true she answered briskly.