The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-25

ton. She felt that she was not alone
She was only a few yards from the
door. but lacked the courage to rise
and fly. Her knees shook, her breath
came fast, she almost felt the lurid
effect of those tiny patches Of rouge
upon her pallor-stricken cheeks Her
ewes were dilated-fiXed IN hOrrlhed
stare at the parting in the curtains
which hung before the window.
There was some one there she had
seen a mans head steal out for a mo-
ment and draw the curtains a little
closer. Eve now she could trace the
outline Of his shape behind the leit-
hand curtain. She was wholly unable
to conceal her knowledge OF his pres
ence. A little smOthered cry broke
from her hps-the Curtat- We're
thrown aside and a man stepped out.
She was pOweTless to move from hef
chair. All through that BRIEF but
nneasureless space OF time durlnS
which WON kept lin silent, as fear
did her. she covered there, limp
helpless object. Her courage and her
presence of mind had alike deserted
her. She could neither speak nor move
nor cry out.
"Annabell God in heaven, it Is An
nabell"
She did not speak. Her lips parted.
but no words came.
What have you done TO yourselfF
he muttered you have dyed your hair
and darkened your eyebrows. But you
are Annabel I should know youth
heaven or hell. Who Is the other
What Other?"
Her voice seemed to CONS from a
long way off, Her lips were dry and
cracked.
THE AnnabeI who lives here. who
sings every night at TIE Universal
They call her by your old name. Her
hair and voice and figure are as yours
r1ep6 m ha Who e cho 7 cav7h
MY sister," Annabel faltered-
He trembIed violently. He seemed to
be laboring under some great excite
ment.
It am a fool" he said "Au these
days I have taken her for you. I have
pleaded with her-nO wonder that I
have pleaded with her in vain. And
all this time perhaps you have been
waiting, expecting to hear from me.
Is il So AnnabeI?"
Il did not know" she faltered. any
thing about you. Why should IT,
AT last" he murmured, "at last 1
have found you. I must not let you go
again. DO you know, Annabel, that
you are my wife?'
NO" she moaned. not that.
thought-the papers said -"
You thought that I was dead" he
interrupted. You pushed the wheel
from my hand. You jumped. and I
think that you left me. Yet you knew
that 1 was not dead You came to see
me in the hospital You must have re-
pented a little, or you would not have
done that"
Il did not come" she faItered. ct
was my sister Anna. I had left Paris
He passed his hand YEARLY over his
forehead.
THAT is where I got confused" he
said. Il opened my eyes. and she was
bending over my bedside. Then /
thought. she has repented. all viii be
WELL So / made haste and recovered.
I came to London to look for you, and
somehow the figure I saw IN my dreams
had got mixed UP with you Your sis
teri Great God. how like she Is to
what you werei'
Annabel looked around her nervously.
These are her rooms" she said
soon she viii return"
THE sooner the better" he an
swered- Il must explain to her. An
mabel, cannot believe It I have found
you"
His eyes were burning. He advanced
step toward her. She held out both
her hands
NO. no." she cried. you frighten
mel"
He smiled at her induIgently.
But I am your husband" he said
You have forgotten am your hus-
band. though as yet your hand has
scarcely lain in mine.
1T was a mistake" she faltered.
You told me that your name was
Meysey Hill. 1 thought that you were
he"
His face darkened.
IT did It for love OF you" he said I
He'd, as 1 would have committed a
murder or done any evil deed sooner
than lose you What does II matter?
1 am not a pauper, AnnabeI. I can
keep you. You shall have a house at
BALKAN or Sydenham, and two SER
wants. You shall have the spending OF
every penny OF my money. Annabel
tell me that you did not wish me dead.
Tell me that you are not sorry to see
me again."
Her passion conquered for a moment
her fear.
But I am sorry. she exclaimed.
Our marriage must be annulled It
was no marriage at ALL"
Never" he exclaimed vehemently.
You are mine. AnnabeI, and nothing
shall ever make me give you up
But 1t is too late" she declared.
You have no right to hold me to
bargain which on your side
was a lie. 1 consented to become Mrs.
Meysey Hill-never your wife"
What do you mean by too lats7'' he
demanded.
There is some one else whom care
for"
He laughed hardly.
Tell me his name" he said, ~and I
promise that he shall never trouble
you. But yOu." he continued, moving
imperceptibly a little nearer to her.
you are mine. The angels IN heaven
shall not tear you from me. We leave
this room together. I shall not part
with you again"
No" she cried, Il Will not I will
have nothing to do with you. You are
not my husband"
He came toward her with that IN his
face which filed her with blind terror.
You belong to me-" he said hercely;
"the marriage certificate Is In my peck
ct. You belong to me. and have wait
ed long enough"
He stepped past her to the door and
closed 1t. Then he turned with fercs
movement to take her into his arms
There was a fash and a loud report.
He threw up his hand. reeled for mo-