The San Francisco call., 1904-12-18
kfT 7 is fifteen years since we met.
dear" observed the matron.
Fifteen long years" assent
80 the -ri,,s+er SiChfpp

Fifteen long years" assent
ed the spinster. signing.
When I was here last" purused
Mrs. Trail, glancing round the COM
Portable room. your mother was alive
and your brother Frank had just in
herited the property. And you, Ellen? ?"
I have lived here alone ever since. F"
said Miss Manners. with another sigh.
Then she waved her slim hand to-
ward the window, through which
could be seen the glimmer of a
snowy country. THAT is my world,
Gertrude After the death of Frank
and my mother. ten years ago, 1
never left the neighborhood. My last
journey was to Edinburgh when 1 was
called suddenly TO Franks deathbed-
But he passed away before I arrived.
poor boy"
I remember" nodded the visitor
sympathetically. You wrote and TOLD
me. Then Mrs. Manners died yeai
later, leaving you alone"
Miss Manners nodded in her turn.
I am always alone" she said pathet-
ically and sighed for the third time
4 wonder you don't marry" OBJ
served Mrs Trail abruptly
Ellen rose as though the remark Of
Tended her and moved slowly TO the
window. There is no chance Of my
marrying, Gertrude"
While there is life there is hope,
my dear"
There may not be the WISH" re-
torted Ellen, averting her face
II was close upon 5 o'clock and the
night was darkening over the Arctic
landscape. A rudy sunset glowed
behind streaks of black cloud and the
SHOWS were tinted with crimson. Ell
len Manners could see through the
leaf1ess park trees the brick wall en-
circling her domain Beyond appear
ed the square church tower and the
thstched cottage roofs around 1t The
snow had ceased TO fall, but the scene
looked desolate, cold and, in the lurid
sunset, most uncanny. With a shiver
the mistress of the hall turned 10 the
FIRE and, kneeling on the Persian rug,
warmed her thin hands thoughtfuliy-
The world would not have called
this woman Of 40 beautiful. Her face
was pale and lined with sorrow and
her garments. were of unrelieved
black. She might have been in mourn
ing from her funereal looks, yet Mrs.
Trail knew that the late Mrs. Man
ners and her son had been dead for
ten years. Even the fondest affection
could scarcely prelong mourning for
such a time.
Dear Ellen. do look more cheerful. .
said Mrs. Trail, who was a rosy, stout
matrOn, fond OF the good things of this
life, and especially of those appertain-
ing to the table. Remember it is
Christmas in two days, and we must
force ourselves to be happy during
so sacred a period. 1 always say that
10 Mr.. Trail when he grumbles about
the bills. Let US be light-hearted, love.
Why NOT give z parfV2''
No" said Miss Manners, hurriedly.
4 gave uD entertaining when my dear
mother passed away"
Still. a treat to the village children,
dear-a Christmas tree"
Don't, Gertrude!" She lifted her
hand with a gesture Of pain. The last
Christmas tree we had at the hall was
just before my cousin. Sir Harry, died.
Then-oh," she broke Off shall / ever
forget the horror Of that Christmas
eve."
''Euen," cried the astonished Mrs.
Trail, What do you mean?"
Nothing What should / mean? Let
US talk OF other things. This little girl
YOU have adOpted-tell nle about her p"
There is little TO tell. my dear. Mr.
Trail and I. having no children of our
own, adopted this child to cheer our
hearts
Who is she2"
so far as I know the daughter Of a
man who writes for the newspapers. 1
found him out through the rector Of
our London parish. A very nice man,
but dreadfUlly poor. He loved Dor
othy-that-s her sweet name, dear-and
not being able to keep her in comfort
he allowed me TO take her away. She
writes once q year TO her father, and
sometimes sees him. She's a pretty
child" ended Mrs Trail, complacently-
What about the mother"
''Shc has no mother, poor child Her
father is a widOwer"
What is his name2'
There is no need 10 mention IT," re-
Joined the matrOn, 3ealouSly- we want
the child al 10 ourselves. She is Dor
othy Trail. But there. my dear, ! have
told you enough. What about your
self"
Miss Manners stared into the burn
ing Goals I have nothing to tell you,
Gertrude. Ny life is lonely and dull
I am glad you have come to stay with
me"
Yet you have this lovely place and
plenty of money. ] understood you in
herited the property when your brother
died"
Yes. But ] wish Frank had lived.
even though we had remained as poor
as when ] was az school with you. /
was happy then, Gertrude. have never
been happy since
who is the man." inquired the
matron. shrewdly.
Ellen flushed. and rose restlessly.
why should there be a mani"
Ny dear. you were much too pretty
a girl. not 10 have attracted the love
of a man. You have loved and have
been deceived Hence your dismal life
and pessimistic views"
You are a WITCH Gertrude said
Ellen, trying TO laugh. but wfncing.
"Ahi I thought ] was right Tell me
all about il. dear" and the good lady
settled herself for an interesting gos-
sip.
But Miss Manners hesitated. You
would only be bored
Ellen" said her school friend re-
proachfUlly. nothing concerning you