The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-11

last interview ana the answer winch
] gave you. You must please consider
that for the present at any rate, as
final. 1t is enough for me TO say this,
is it not?
some day will arnuse you with
an account of my life here. Just now
1 am not in the humor for letter-wrlt-
ing. Sydney is a dear boy and has been
very kind to me indeed. Don't
write again just yet. Letters are
always a distraction as well as
solace Just now 1 want to concentrate
myself and my thoughts upon one
thing, and one thing only. Ever yours.
ANNA
And that one thing" Anna said TO
herself softly, as she leaned for mo-
ment back in her chair, lis how to pay
my next weeks bill TO Mrs. White II
ought not TO be much. 1 have gone
without dinner for three nights, and
come in"
Sydney Courtlaw followed his timid
knock. Anna raised her eyebrows at
the sight of him. He was in evening
dress: swallow-tailed coat and white
tie.
rs this a concession to Mrs. White?"
she asked, laughing. How grained
she must have been! If only 1 had
known 1 would have made an effort
to get home in time for dinner"
Not exactly" he answered nervous
~. Gl6dSS IOTSlNe my COLllIS up MISS
Pellissier, but you have not been down
to dinner for three nights, and
Brendon and I've were afraid that
you might be unwell"
Never better in my life" Anna de-
clared briskIy. II had lunch very late
to-day and 1 did not get home in time
for dinner"
She smiled grinly at the recollection
of that lunch = tea and roll at an
aerated bread shop. Sydney was watch
. ing her eagerly.
I'm glad you're all right" he said,
because we want you to do us favor.
Brandon's had an awful stroke of
luck"
I'm delighted" she exclaimed. DO
tell me all about II.
He only heard this afternoon" sgd
ney continued. IAN uncle in New
York Is dead and has left him loads
of money. A lawyer has come all the
way from America about it. We want
to celebrate, and we want you to help
US. Brendon suggests supper at the
Carlton. We meant to make it din
ner and a theater. but you were not
at home"
Anna shook her head obviously.
1T is ever so nice of you to have
waited" she said, but you know the
arrangement we made. Shares in ev-
erything, and"
But this is an exception, surely"
Sydney protested. Besides, you in
sisted upon being hostess that first
evening, and this is only a return.
awful stroke of luck for him, you
know. especially as he hated the bank
so; but it'll spoil it all for him if you
don't come. He'll be quite hurt, too.
Anna hesitated. She was really very
hungry indeed.
You are quite sure that this is not
an excuse of Mr.. Brendon's? You boys
have been so kind to me, and"
Positive" Sydney declared. It's a
dead cert. I've seen the papers, and
Brendon has heaps Of money already
to be going on with. You'll come,
won't you? We thought Of starting
in half an hours time and try for
theater somewhere on the way"
Anna nodded.
Delightful" she exclaimed. III
come. Run away now, please. must
see If 1 have a gown fit to wear"
In the drawing-room below a whisper
of Brendon's good fortune had gone
round Miss Amelia Ellicot held out
both her hands and looked inexpressible
things into his eyes.
you know that am glad" she said
to him, with a most becoming mixture
Of modesty and effusion. Il can't tell
you how glad before all these people
She dropped her eyes and wandered
off to a remote corner of the room,
whittier Brendon did not follow her.
Her mother made whispered comments
to Mrs. White on Milly's sensitiveness,
which were easily overheard by every
one in the room. Mr.. Building, aban-
doning a position of pOrtly ease upon
the hearthrug, came and patted Bren-
don gently on the back.
Let me give you a word Of advice,
Young man." he said sOlemnly- You
will. / presume, abandon your present
occupation and enjoy a brief period OF
idleness. Presently that idleness will
begin to pail. You will look about for
something to do. Go in for public lie.
There is nothing more expanding, more
thoroughly satisfactory, than to serve
ones countrytz1n ones leisure hours.
You will never regret 1T. speak. as
dare say you know, from experience
For fourteen years I represented SproX-
ton upon the Worcestershire County
Council l have only to show myself
there to-day aAd / am instantly recog-
nized. Every man and boy in the place
touches his hat to me. That sort of
thing is always-er-most gratifying.
OF course it is scarcely likely that you
will be able to begin your career with
the City Council; that may come by
and by; but there are minor offices in
which you may-may serve your ap-
premiership in public life. 1 myself
started by being the overseer Of an i'm
portant parish"
The Semitic young gentleman, who
had been hanging restlessly around
during the ex-COunty Councillors ora
ton, laid his finger persuasively on
Brendons coat sleeve.
hora IA vUhfSOero6- "YOII' re
fond of the theater and that sort of
thing, aren't you? If you care for a lit
tie fiutter in a new production-there' 8
a gold mine in the piece, s'help me. 1
believe I could get you fifth share.
It's a comic opera, with some ripping
songs and dances; bound to take like
wildfire. OF course, it means going be-
hind whenever you like, and you stand
o. X with all the girls. Friend of mine
in the city's running the syndicate.
What do you say? Will you come down
and see him?"
'I'H think about It," Brendon de-
cIared. Il fancy it's scarcely in my
line