The San Francisco call., 1904-11-17
CRITICALLY IN BEWIL-
DERMENT.


of their parting to attach Importance
90 the youthful romance.
Ferguson, the town banker, portly
and prosperous, striding down the
main street one delicious summer
morning. met his niece on her way to
give a music lesson, and stopped to
tease her a trifie over the situation.
''Lesda, Gordon Ellis is expected back
next week."
$50 I've heard, Uncle Bruce"
The tone was nonchalant, but she
had colored rosily up to the crisp,
reddish-gol curls around her white
forehead.
1T will be a great thing for Linden
vile if he decides to settle down here.
hope" with ponderous archness,
that you will try to persuade him!"
The flush faded, leaving her looking
pale-and very proud.
Il shall have nothing to say in the
matter" she answered coldly. 1T is
unlikely that I shall even meet him.
''Nonsense!" Ferguson cried, drop
DLuS Ills idiiylHS dll. vi CUuTSE you
viii. Wen all have a chance to re-
rev our old acquaintance with as fine
a fellow as ever struck out to make
his fortune. Marian is to give a big
welcoming dance for him. Hortense
is eager for pleasure. you know" he
added leniently, 'and we like to in
dulge her"
Lesda nodded, evincing polite in
terest Until the mother of Hortense
had married her uncle twelve months
previous she and her aunt had lived
with Bruce Ferguson, directing his
household. But with the coming of a
bride possessed of a grown daughter
all this was changed. So Lucinda Fer
guson. having got together her few
heirlooms and some furniture. had
moved into a little house she owned
on the outskirts of the rich, bustling
manufacturing town.
The new mistress and her daughter
were left in victorious possession; and
Bruce Ferguson with a mans obtuse-
ness, did not realize what the inevitable
change in their manner of living must
mean to such fastidious women as his
sister and his niece He had settled
an income on Lucinda, but Lesda de-
clared that her music teaching would
bring her in all the money she would
require. OF the deprivatons and make
shifts necessary to present a serene
front to a critical world neither spoke.
$50 you'll surely come" Ferguson
went on breezily. I'm going to do
the thing in fine style-have music and
caterers down from Chicago, and all
that sort of thing"
The expression of proud reserve
deepened on the countenance of Lesda
Revere. She had an odd, exquisite
style Of beauty, foreign to her class
and nationality. While her features
were not classically perfect, there was
about her face a look of spirituality,
OF distinction, that attracted and held
attention.
"I hope you'll have a beautiful time"
she said courteously. But I shan't
go. Uncle Bruce"
He stared at her moment in puzzled
surprise. Then he laughed heartily and
brought his clenched fist down in the
palm of the other hand.
Nothing to wear, I'll bet a nickell
Poor Miss Flora McFlimsey." For he
SAW Dy neI QUICK lTTGpTSSSlDlG smile
that he had guessed Alright well,
you will have a dress, and one sent to
you ready made from the city at that!
Why, Hortense won't wear a thing
that's made in LindenvilleI Now, you'll
promise to come? Well what is it ?''
She had been about to speak-to ask
him TO permit her to choose the gown
herself. But, after all, what right had
she TO make suggestions to him? Was
he not exceedingly generous to prom
Use her costume at all?
Nothing, except that you are mighty
good to think of such thing Yes
I'll come!"
That's right" he commented cor
daily, and passed on.
Not until the very morning of the
day set for the important function did
the expected box arrive. Hortense
and her mother had been up in the
metropolis ordering their own attire.
They had doubtless bought this at the
same time. But, although she had
read in grateful amazement the sum
mentioned on the receipted bill that
had been forwarded to her by mail. it
was with a heart prophetically filed
with doubt that Lesda opened the
box, while her aunt looked over her
shoulder. Layer after layer of tissue
naper was laid aside. Lssda shrank