The San Francisco call., 1904-09-18
CHAPTER XVIII.
"A Marriage Certiiicatc.


Anna looked about her admiringly.
1t was just such a bedroom as she
would have chosen for herself. The
coloring was grStn and white, with
softly shaded electric lights, an alcove
bedstead, which was a miracle of dain-
tiness, white furniture and long low
dressing table Uttered all over with
multitude of daintily fashioned toilet
appliances. Through an open door was
a glimpse of the bathroom-a vision of
luxury out of which Annabel herself,
in a wonderful dressing gown and fol-
lowed by a maid, presently appeared.
Too bad to keep you waiting" An
mabel exclaimed. I'm really very
sorry. Collins. you can go now.- will
ring if l want you"
The maid discreetly withdrew, and
Anna stood transfixed, gazing with
puzzled frown at her sister.
"Annabel! Why, what on earth have
you been doing to yourself, child?" she
exclaimed.
Annabel laughed a little uneasily.
THE very question, my dear sister,
she said, tells me that / have succeed
ed Dear NE, what difference 1t has
madel No one would ever think that
we were sisters. Don't you think that
the shade Of my hair is lovely?"
There is nothing particular the mat
ter with the shade" Anna answered,
but it is not nearly so becoming as be-
fore you touched it, And what on earth
do you want to darken your eyebrows
and use cosmetics for at your ageP
You're exactly %, and you're got up as
much as a woman of As.
Annabel shrugged her shoulders.
IT only use the weeniest little dab of
rouge" she declared, "and it is really
necessary. because 1 want to get rid of
the pallor effect Do you remember
when we were both called the Moon
light Madonnas'? And, you know, now
adays it is piquante to make up, If you
don't really need to. Men like it."
Anna made no remark. Her dfsap
provaI was obvious enough. Annabel
saw ii and suddenly changed her tone.
You are very stupid Anna" she
said. Can you not understand? 1t is
Of no use your taking my identity and
all the burden of my iniquities upon
your dear shoulders If am to be rec
ognized the moment / show my face in
London. That is why l have dyed my
hair, that is why / have abandoned my
role of ingenue and altered my whole
style of dress. Upon my word, Anna"
she declared, with a strange little
laugh, you are a thousand times more
like me as ] was two months ago than
/ am myself"
A sudden sense of the gravity of this
thing came home to Anna. Her sisters
words were true. They had changed
identities absolutely. 1t was not for a
week or a month. 1t was forever A
cold shiver came over her. That last
year in Paris, when Annabel and she
had lived in different worlds, had often
been a nightmare to her. Annabel had
taken her life into her hands with gay
insouciance, had made her own friends,
gone her own way. Anna never knew
whittier it had led her-sometimes she
had fears. 1t was her past now not
Annabel,s. And somehow she fancied
that even then the faint smile which
was parting her sisters lips was in
spired by some secret knowledge, some
grimly humorous reflection as to the
nature of that burden which henceforth
was hers. 1t was absurd to give way to
such phantases. Nevertheless Anna
bells smile tortured her.
'It is very good Of you to come and
see me, my dear sister," Annabel re-
marked, throwing herself into a low
chair and clasping her hands over her
head. ITO tell you the truth 1 am a
little dull"
Where is your husband?" Anna
asked.
HE is addressing a meeting of his
constituents somewhere" Annabel an
swered. "I do not suppose he will be
nOIn6 I'LL ldLC lcil lIlc, llOW are YOU
amusing yourself?"
= Anna laughed.
II have been amusing myself up to
now by trying to earn my living" she
replied.
'I hope" Annabel answered lazily,
that you have succeeded. BY the by,
do you want any money? Sir Johns
ideas of pin money are not exactly
princely, but I can manage what you
want, / dare say
Thank you," Anna answered coldly.
81 am not in need of any. 1 might add
that in any case 1 should not touch Sir
Johns"
That's rather a pity Annabel said.
He wants to settle something on you,
l believe. It is really amusing. He
lives in constant dread of reappear-
ance of La Belle Alcide.' and hearing
it said that she is his wifes sister. But
priggish, isn't it? And if he only knew
it--so absurd. Tell me how you are