The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-02
Copyright, 1904. by Frank H. Sweet.

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- - AY ALLYN stepped from the
W IT,. Fl: /: &. .:: s: 4: = IS:
n TO the right and left among
the massive pillars and dropping palms.
There were few persons in sight. Most
Of the guests were over on the beach,
for il was the bathing hour May went
nearly across the rotunda before she
found the object Of her search-a
woman in a retired corner reading
novel
Here you are, mamma" she ex-
claimed rebukLnglX, and reading that
novel, as i might have expected.
Don't you know the characters in il
would stay exactly where you leave
them il you should close the book for
a few hours, and this glorious weather
outside is something Of the present.
But see here" holding up-t the lace for
inspection. do you think this viii
do?"
For what?"
"Oh, you know mammal I'm. to be
Betty, the maid, IN the play we're get
ting up, and am to have the white
badge Of servitude on my head and
wear white apron and carry a broom
or something. I've told il all over be-
fore, only your heads in that book. DO
please shut ia
The older woman obeyed with a
sigh and took the bit OF fleecy lace be-
tween her fingers.
NO. ii won't 60 at all, May" she
said instantly, a ripple Of amusement
breaking the dreamy quiet Of her face.
1T wouldn't be appropriate"
But Why" with an air of disap
Sc ~
Yes. and costly. Child, child, don't
you know that bit Of lace is worth as
much as Betty. the maid, could earn in
five years. You must have something
cheap to be in character
i don't believe I have anything"
NO, suppose not. You will have
10 try at one Of the stores. You will
need" Mrs. Allyn's gaze went in
quiringly about the rOtunda until il
found one OF the hotel maids busting
q plant. She waited until she caught
the girls eye. then raised finger.
4 beg your pardon, my dear" she
said as the girl approached. but my
daughter here is to be in the church
benefit ard viii have to wear a cos
tune something like yours. Would
you mind my looking at your pretty
lace cap moment?'
The girl removed it with a pleased
leok
This is exactly what you want
May" went on Mrs Allyn, holding it
up critically. You
But May had snatched the little cap
from her appraised fingers and placed
il upon her own fluffy brown hair.
Now lei me have your apron a
minute. please she cried merrily
Thank you" AS the girl complied and
she fastened the apron TO her waist
with deft fingers. And now the dust
ing brush. There. mamma, how will
this do?" with a flourish of the brush
and a sweeping courtesy.
The girl laughed. and even Mrs. AL
Ign smiled fnculgently as May danced
away toward the middle of the ro-
tUnda, flirting the brush indiscrimin-
stely over jardinieres and palm leaves
as she passed. Soon the pillars and
palms interviewed and concealed her
from view
Count rOrtegan and a young Amer
lean sculptor were just entering the
rotunda. They had known each other
IN Paris and met again on the steam
er coming over. and now they had
come TO GRAY Hsrbor together. not be-
cause they had much in common, but
they were acquainted and all the peo-
pie around we're strangers.
May did not notice them until they
stopped beside her with EXPLANATIONS
Of establishment and pleasure.
Mademoiselle Allyn ees il possar-