The San Francisco call., 1905-03-11
The annual figures follow:

lo5o lf,VVOVVO
such a case" he answered with con-
viction
"And-and II she wears them
anxiously.
81 think the man would be justified
in constituting 1t as a hopeful sign,
don't your"
Miss Anstruther flushed painfully
and dropped her eyes.
why, IL" she stammered.
Duck. sir" interposed the butler
at Carrollton's shoulder. When he
again turned toward Miss Anstruther
she was talking gayiy with her left
hand neighbor. Carrollton. free to let
his eye wander, fell to watching the
eager beautiful face OF a girl across
the table-a face that sparkled and
changed with every varying thought.
And If she doesn't wear them" he
unused a bit ruefully.
Miss Anstruther finished her dinner
with the consciousness of having. in
all probability, answered the greater
part of her companions remarks with
utter irrelevance. She could only trust
that Mr.. Morris, a fluent talker him
self, might not have noticed. The
girls thoughts were hopelessly tan
gled. Carrollton's words about vio-
lets had startled and disturbed her.
Did he really attach such significance
to the little flower? She had never
dreamed of such a thing. and pinned
on the odorous cluster before dinner
with enjoyment of their beauty, In
D,1$ -
meaning to the act. But now-her
eyes sought him doubtfully-a little
wistfully. Did other men feel that
way about violets, too? She must
speak to him again, but not now.
After dinner, however, the house
party scattered. Miss Anstruther felt
herself borne along to the billiard
room, while Carrollton sat down for
a rubber of bridge. It was not until
some time later that Carrollton, walk
ing down the hall. absorbed in wor-
rying as to why Ethel Wheatley had
so persistently avoided him all the
/ evening, heard his name being called
softly. Turning. he found Miss An
struther facing him within a curtained
window embrasure, her cheeks scarlet,
her eyes full of new shyness. She
was breathing rapidly.
Forgive me for stopping you.'' she
said. 'But-but 1 wanted to tell you
something" avoiding his glance as
she spoke. TIT isn't announced yet
But IL am going to marry Joe
Wright. II felt that I must tell
you." she ended half beseechingly.
Carrollton, conscious OF a vague ex-
pectancy in her attitude. hesitated.
TITS awfully good for you to let
me know" he answered. st congratu-
late you both most heartily Joe's
a bully chap, and mighty lucky. too.'
he added a little awkwardIy. "Of
course, am to be an usher" What
was it the girl wanted. Carrollton
wondered; he noticed that she had
grown quite white.
"You-you and Joe are such friends
that was sure you knew" she strug-
gled. Why was he making it so hard
for her. 1T was only at dinner that
began to suspect-when you spoke
about the meaning of violets''-her
voice was unsteady-"I-I never
dreamed that you cared; I thought
you had sent me them because"
She stopped. startled by the change
JuInDe0.
Il sent you." he stammered, star
ing. Miss Anstruther stared in turn.
"But-but didn't you?" she demand
ed. 'I found them in my room. Your
card was in the box. To be sure, II
was not addressed. Tell me-" with
a quick inspiration, there was some
mistake, them"
Carrollton, taken aback, was strfv
ing to regain his wits.
II sent them to the blue ROOM,
he muttered stupidity, then bit his iip.
What brutal speecht A sudden flash
Of comprehension lighted the girls
face.
ITO the blue ROOM" she repeated In
undisguised relief. -'why-ohi" Dart
ing impulsively into the hall, Miss
Anstruther seized girl standing by
the billiard-room door, and before
either she or Carrollton could realize
what was intended. had whirled her
behind the curtain.
Ethel" she gasped. here's Mr..
Carrollton proposing to the wrong
girl; it's you he means-not me-"
breathlessly. The next moment she
had vanished down the hall. Miss
Wheatley, startled and little indig-
nant. turned to follow. but Carro1lton
caught her by the hand.
Its-it's true" he murmured in
coherently- I've been trying all the
evening to tell you, only you wouldn't
let me-
What made Patricia think you were
making love to her then?" demanded
the girl. still resentfui CarroIlton
shook his head.
Il don't know" he groaned be-
wilderediy. 'She-she began talking
about some rot that I had said at
dinner. and then burst out that she