The San Francisco call., 1905-08-20
r &c II n a n F,
p 90 r II A n !!
By Keith Gordon

money. I would be cad enough to do
1t. but the thing is that there's a girl
a mighty fine girl-and I really-I-hang
il, 1 like herI But how am 1 to tell
whether it's the real thing or whether
her money has something TO do with it?
You see. there are reasons why / should
have money right away. long before
Z can hope to gain it by my own efforts
The governor is breaking down and his
affairs are in bad shape, and there are
the two kids and mother to provide for.
The girls heart was sinking as the
mercury does In a falling temperature.
All the joy of living seemed to be oozing
away through her finger tips, leaving her
cold and inert. He turned toward her
curiously.
'Of course. you don't think ia consider
such a thing If I were not forced to IL
by dutyP' he went on fervently. And
1 came to you because I thought you'd
understand, because circumstances are
forcing you into the same thing. They
say you're going to marry Bradshaw.
You'll be a rich woman-and a happy one.
/ hope-but whether you are or not you
will have done your duty by the family.
That will be your consolation, and that's
why come to you in my difficulty. What
do you think-can ! decently ask the girl
to marry me2 Remember. Ike her. bts
I'm not sure I love herr
The fog, which had seemed about to
crush them softly a few moments be-
fore was now falling back, but they
were still in remote world. With the
very sight Of habitations cut of from
their view, 1t was hard to believe In the
reality of purple and fine linen. horses
and carriages and gold. Suddenly the
scales fell from the girls eyes, though
she realized with a pang that 1t was too
late. She had put the only thing that
mattered out OF her life, as thoughtlessly
and carelessly as she would toss pebble
from her path. She had not even realized
what she was doing. Down below. where
the Bradshaw fortune cast it's glamour.
everything had looked different. She had
, thought that with money all things else
must fall into place. But here, cut on
from the world. the Bradshaw wealth
seemed less than nothing, and love the
only thing,
Farther and farther the fog reached.
showing thin in spots but still conceal
Ing the valley beneath them But she
was very sure now. Even when the
world assumed it's old proportions IL
would be the same She had had her
lesson. The peachblow tint was gone
from her cheeks. and her eyes were grave
and ungirlish as she spoke.
I'm not going to marry Grant Brad
shaw she said steadily, NOR any other
man whom I don't love. So you see
can't help you after ALI I don't think
such thing"
Her voice broke. and the eyes that
had been looking into his with a plead
ing stronger than any words suddenly
filled with tears.
I'm such a sillyr' she explained rath-
er unevenly. but I hate to be accused
OF such a thing. And / think you oughY
to be ashamed. Jack. You're man. and'
you can make money for yourself and
But he seemed to be paying no atten-
tion to her words. With deep absorption
he was naming the buttons OF her coat.
as if he were consulting an oracle
"Rich man, poor man. beggar man.
chief" he chanted Doctor lawyer,
merchant. thief. Rich man. poor mani
he stopped. looking anxiousiy for another
button, but there was none there
You seer she gibed triumphantly.
Perhaps you've made a mistake in your
own case, too" and with a demure face
she counted the buttons. Poor woman
his glance brought the bloom back to her
face and her head went down upon hts
shoulder.
The thin places in the fog gave way.
leaving two Jagged spaces that framed
beautiful picture. Down below the sun
was shining on the blue waters of the
bay. on the trees and hedges. among
which nestled the houses OF The town.
The girl caught her breath. She felt as
II it were a benediction. a revelation OF
the peace of the years to come.
But what about our families?" she
asked in a troubled voice when the mist
had blotted out the pictures once nsere.
He laughed joyously
See that?'' he said holding cut a
brawny right arm.