The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-02

behind the tea-tray. but / shall have
TO ask you to excuse me for rev
minutes. My agent is here and he
has brought his contract for me to
sign. will give you all some tea and
then I must leave you for a few min
utes"
The three men, who had arrived
within a minute or two OF one anoth-
er. received her little speech in dead
silence. .Ennison, who had been stand
ing with his back. to the window, came
suddenly a little farther into the
room.
Miss Pellissier," he said, II came
here this afternoon hoping. particular
" TO see you for few moments De-
fore YOU signed that contract"
She shook her head.
we may just as well have our talk
afterward." she said, "and I need not
keep poor Mr.. Earles waiting"
CourtIaw suddenly interposed.
MAY be allowed to say" he de-
cIared. that 1 am here with the same
Intention
And ] also" Brendon echoed.
Anna was suddenly very quiet.
She was perhaps as near tears as
ever before in her life.
IF 1 had three hands" she said,
with a faint SMILE Il would give one
10 each of you. 1 know that you are
ali my friends and know that you all
have very good advice to give me. But
I am afraid 1 am a shockingly obsti-
nate and a very ungrateful person. No,
don't let me call myself that. L am
grateful. indeed I am. But on this
matter my mind is quite made up
Ennison hesitated for a moment.
Miss Pelnssier," he said, these
gentlemen are your friends and there
fore they are my friends. If am to
have no other opportunity will speak
before them. I came here to beg you
not 10 sign that contract. I came to
beg you instead to do me the honor
of becoming my wife"
And l." Courtlaw said, although
I have asked before in vain, have
b. come to ask you once more the same
thing"
And l." Brendon said. humbly, al
though 1 am afraid there is no chance
for me, my errand was the same.
Anna looked at them for a moment
with a pitiful attempt at a smile. Then
her head disappeared suddenly in her
hands and her shoulders shook vio-
lently.
please forgive me-for one mo-
nent." she sobbed. II shall be all
right directly"
Brendon rushed to the piano and
strummed out q tune.
The others hurried to the window.
And Anna was conscious of a few mo-
ments of exquisite emotion. After all,
life had still it's pulsations. The joy
Of being loved thrilled her as nothing
before had ever done, a curious alb
stract joy which had nothing in it at
that moment Of regret or even pity.
She called them back very soon.
The signs Of tears had all gone, but
some subtle change seemed to have
stolen into her face. She spoke read
iIy enough. but there was a new tim
idity in her manner.
My friends" she said, my dear
friends, 1 am going to make the same
answer to all Of you-and that is per-
haps you will say no answer at all.
At present I cannot marry, 1 will not
become bound even to any one. 1t
would be very hard perhaps to make
YOU understand just how / feel about
it. I won't try. Only 1 feel that you
all want TO make life too easy for me
and I am determined to fight my own
battles a little longer. If any of you
or all of you-feel the same in six
months time from to-day, will you
come, If you care to. and see me
then?''
There was a brief silence. Ennison
spoke at last.
You will sign the contract?"
II shall sign the contract. 1 think
that am very fortunate to have it to
sign"
DO you mean" -CourtIaw asked,
that from now to the end of six
months you do not wish to see us
any of us?"
Her eyes were a little dim again.
Il do mean that" she declared. II
want to have 10 distractions. My
work will be all sufficient. I have an
aunt who is coming to live with me,
and ! do not intend to receive any
visitors at all. II will be little lone
" sometimes" she said, looking
around at them, land 1 shall miss you
all, but it is the fairest for myself
and I think for you. Do not avoid me
if we meet by accident but trust to
you all not to let the accident happen
if you can help it"
Brendon rose and came toward her
with outstretched hand.
+'tGood-by, Miss Pellissier, and sue
cess TO you" he said. May you have
as much good fortune as you deserve,
- but not enough to make you forget
u.s."
Courtlaw rose, too.
You are Of the genus Obstinate %
he said. II do not know whether to
wish you success or not will wish
you success or failure, whichever is
the better for you"
And J." Ennison said, holding her
fingers tightly and forcing her to look
into his eyes, 4 VIII tell you what ]
have wished for you when we meet
six months from to-day"
CHAPTER XXXVI.