The San Francisco call., 1904-11-27


kater all of the carriages had
4 gone except one. Some one
| J" stood beside 1t, waiting.
She stood for moment in
the lobby entrance and fas-
tened the diamond clasp on the
chiffon and lace stole around her
throat The pin had been safe enough.
She had volunteered going back to the
boxes for it, and had found it sticking
in the velvet arm of Aunt Victoria 8
chair, just where she had left it.
Did you think that I was never COM
ing?" she asked, as she reached the
carriage. The figure turned quickly at
the sound of her voice, and she found
herself looking into Thornton's eyes.
She caught her breath and stopped abb
ruptly, startled and hesitating, afraid
to let him guess the great flood of glad
ness that swept over her at sight Of
him. When one believes person to be
in Manchuria il is somewhat bewilder-
ing TO meet that person alone on Broad
way, New York, at IL p. m.
He did not speak, merely opened the
door for her
There is some mistake" She paused.
HOf course there is u mistake. There
always is when l come in for anything
good. The fact remains that the rest
have gone, and that 1 was told to wait
for you"
Who told you to wait?''
( He took her by the elbow and help
ed her imperatively into the carriage.
Il was with Mrs. Culvertcn. She was
in the third box, and l was late. Then
Gully came along and took her home
himself / believe your aunt told him
TO wait for you, but he wanted to go
directly home, so l took his place. YCu
don't believe me?"
"Oh, yes, l do. At lease i believe
part of it, You always twist the truth
and the fairy-tale together so perfectly,
one can only guess at which is which
l believe that Mr.. Culverton was asked
to wait for me-"
Thornton ignored the discrimination.
He was gazing intently at the pale
young face. 1t must be true all he had
heard at the club. She did not look
happy. 1t was Vic Wilmington's affair
the digging up of Estevan. She al
ways had some two-for-a-penny title
tagging after her. 1t was only three
weeks off now. The thought brought
with it a flash Of recklessness. They
would have her for a lifetime. Tonight
for one short half hour she was his. He
leaned toward her suddenly.
Gladys, are you sorry to see me?"
LON I. her eyes met MS IN nal1-
defiant entreaty. 1T isn't fair.
Fair to whom?"
ITO him"
Thorntons jaws squared aggressively
He hasn't anything to say about it
yet. You needn't be frightened The
wolf won't eat you. Won't they even
let you be glad or sorry?"
Don't; please, please don't"
say you are glad to see me-
I'm not glad to see you. You went
away of your own free will. l wish
you had stayed"
Until it was over?"
40; foreveri' she retorted passion
atcly. Il never wanted to see you
again.
He smiled. 1t was Gladys way to
make one last fina, charge when she
knew she had lost the day.
You never wanted to see me again.
he repeated, because you are going to-
marry a man for whom you don't care
snap of your fingers, and you did love
me-"
Il did not She faced him with
proud, hurt eyes and flushed cheeks.
He laughed with a riotous sense of
happiness in her pain. If he still had
the power to hurt her there was hope
1t was the reckless hour.
You did, sweetheart, and you do
now, and you always will. You know
you will. Manchuria or the moon, it
marry hundred times, not if it's years
before we meet. I can always come
back like this and look in your eyes,