The San Francisco call., 1904-07-10

ing. out of the window and up the fire
escape.
Just outside of Mrs. Kingdoms win
dow I lay still a minute. l had seen
her and Norway go out together-she
all gay with finery, he carrying her
bag. The lace curtains in 331 were
blowing in the breeze. Cautiously I
parted them and looked in. Every
thing was lovely. From where Icy
reached down and turned back the flap
of the carpet. 1t was too easy. Those
darling diamonds seemed just to leap
up into my hand. In a moment I had
them tucked away In my pants pocket.
Then down the fire-escape and out
through 231, where 1 told the painter
I'd been to get toy the boy in AL had
dropped out Of the window.
But he paid no attention to me. No
one did, though felt those diamonds
shining like an X-ray through my
very body. I got downstairs and was
actually outside the door, almost in the
street and off to you, when a girl called
me.
Here. boy, carry this case" she said.
Do you know who 1t was7 Oh. yes.
you do, a dear old friend of mine from
Philadelphia, a young lady whose
taste-well. all right. I'll tell you; 1t
was the girl with the red coat, and the
hat with the chinchilla fur.
How did they look? Oh, fairly well
on a blonde. But to my taste the last
girl I'd seen in the coat and hat was
handsomer.
Well, I carried her suitcase and fol-
lowed her back into the hotel. 1 didn't
want to a bit. though the coat still
wonder how she got it back!
She sailed up the hall and into the
elevator, and I had to follow. We got
off at the third story, and she brought
me right to the door of S31. And then
I knew this must be Evelyn.
Mrs. Kingdoms out, Miss. She
didn't expect you till tomorrow"
Did she tell you that? Too bad she
isn't at homel She said she'd be kept
busy all day to-day with a business
matter, and that I'd better not get
here till tomorrow. But +"
Wanted to get here in time for the
wedding?" 1 suggested softly.
You should have seen her jump.
Wedding. Not"
Mrs. Kingdom and Mr.. Norway"
She turned white.
HAS that man followed her here
Quick, tell me. Has she actually mar
ried him?"
"'No-not yet. It's for five o'clock at
the church on the corner"
How do you know?" She turned on
me, suddenly suspicious.
"Well-I do know. And I'm the only
v,arcn,, IN, 10 bn11ca that does
Il don't believe you
She took out her key and opened the
door, and 1 followed her in with the
suitcase. But before 1 could get ii
set down on the floor, she swooped on
a letter that was lying in the middle OF
the table, had torn it open, and then
with a cry had come whirling toward
me.
Where is this church? Come, help
me to get to IT before five and I'll-oh
you shall have anything in the world
you want"
She flew out into the hall, after her.
And first thing you know we were
down in the street, around the corner,
and there in front of the church was
a carriage with Norway just helping
Mrs. Kingdom out.
''Mother!"
At that cry the old lady's knees
seemed to crumble under her. Her
poor old painted face looked CHASTITY
and ashamed from her wedding inery.
But Evelyn in her red coat flew to her
and took her in her arms as though she
was a child. And like child, Mrs.
kingdom sobbed and made excuses and
begged to be forgiven.
1 looked at Norway. 1t was the
pay I wanted-particularly as I had
those little diamonds.
You're just in time, Miss Kingdom,
he said uneasily. ito MAKE your moth
er happy by your presence at her wed
ding
I'm Just in time. Mr.. Norway, TO
see that my mothers not made un-
happy by your presence"
"Evelyn" Mrs. Kingdom remon-
strated
Come, Sarah" Norway offered his
arm.
The bride shook her head.
Tomorrow" she said feebly.
Norway breathed a swear.
Miss Kingdom laughed.
I've come to take care Of you, you
silly little mother, dear. 1t
won't be tomorrow, Mr.. Norway"
"No-not to morrow - next week,
sighed Mrs. Kingdom.
"In fact, mothers changed her mind,
Mr.. Norway. She thinks It ungener-
GUS to accept such a sacrifice from a
man who might be her son-don't you,
mother?''
''Well, perhaps, George" She looked
up from her daughters shoulder-she
was crying all over that precious red
coat of mine-and her eyes lit on me.
"Oh-you wicked boy, you told a lie!"
she gasped. You did read my letter" "
1 laughed; laughed out loud, 1t was
such a bully thing to watch Moriway's
face.
But that was an unlucky laugh of
mine; It turned his wrath on me. He
made a dive toward me. ducked and
ran. Oh, how ran! But II he hadn't
slipped on the curb he'd have had me.
As he fell, though, he let out yell:
oC+oD theft StOp theft Thief