The San Francisco call., 1904-06-19
HER CHRISTIAN NAME
By Beverly Smith

luck. To think that she should ac-
cept me. when she might have had
any man-why. she might have mar
ried you, old chap, couldn't she?''
Did she tell you SOP
Nope" said Jimmy cheerfully, but
i can't see how it is that you haven't
fallen in love with her"
Maybe 1 was in love with another
woman" said WalcOt slowly.
There was something in his tone that
made Jimmie look up quickly.
Wa1cot was gazing into the cheerful
fire and there was such a smile upon
his face as Jimmie had never seen. The
mercurial youngster was on his feet
in an instant and rushed over to Wal
cot.
BY Jove, old chap, so you have
been indulging in a love affair and
didn't even take me, your best friend,
into your confidence! call that
shameful Of you, but 1 am deuced
glad to know that you are In love.
after all. Take my word for II, old
chap, there's nothing like 1t In all the
world
Easy, boy, easy said Walcot, with
quiet smile that may have concealed
some embarrassment. II haven't con-
fessed to any love affair yet. And as
for condolences, remember that you
told me nothing Of yours until you
were actually engaged. Even KOOQ
friends like you and me don't talk over
such affairs. However, I may have
7 hope to have-some good news to tall
you soon."
How soon?"
who can say7"
Have you proposed to herr
mo, but / intend to do So"
Good boyl Go in and win. II you
want a certificate OF good character,
call on me. l am always ready to tell
lie in the sacred cause OF friendship
And Jimmie's infectious laugh took all
sting away from the remark.
Once more fell a period OF silence and
Jimmie broke 1t with:
Did you ever notice the color Of her
eyes, Henry?"
"Yes," answered Henry, with an air
Of amusement. They are blue, aren't
they?'
No. indeed" said Jimmie somewhat
Indignantly. They are a wonderful
deep gray; almost black"
''Is, that sO?" was the somewhat in
different reply. Then she has the
same color OF eyes as her cousin. L
know that she has wonderful, deep
gray eyes-wOnderful eyes" This last
was very soft.
mot at all. stupid" said Jimmie.
vexed at so much stupidity. Her
cousins eyes are blue. III be blessed
Jimmie himself was not observing
anything. but was sitting with his gaze
fixed on the heart Of the flames and his
mind lost In happy reverie. He did
not see his companion look up with a
quick terror in his eyes and a face
oraWn with emotion Nor did he hear
a question addressed to him. Indeed,
Walcot's voice was very thick. and he
hardly knew himself whether he had
spoken the question aloud. or merely in
his anguish voiced it to himself
Ihen you are engaged to Kate
Preston?" he finally managed to say,
loud enough to make his companion
hear.
Certainly" said Jimmie in aston
ishment. Who did you think was
engaged to-certainly not to Annie
Preston?'
7 didn't know" said walcot
weakly.
so your mind reading wasn't so
good, after all" exclaimed Jimmie in
triumph We'll, I must be going-sO
longl"
And he was gone.
For long time Walcot sat before
the fire. though his cigar went out
unnoticed and was not relit.
Then he slowly walked to his desk
and took out letter, addressed in
his own firm handwriting. Opening
1T he stood in front of the fire and
read 1T through twice. It was a pro-
posal OF marriage. simple, straight
forward and winning in its declaration
of great love.
The letter fiuttered first to the fire
and the envelope followed it. WaIcOt
standing quietly to watch them burn.
One might have read the address on
the envelope, even after IL was caught
by the flames, and that address was:
Miss Kate Preston"