The San Francisco call., 1905-01-10

one of his own some day. He has lent
me one of his horses-a perfect beauty
and we shall ride together often.
The girls in our set would envy me if
they could see Mr.. Burke-he is very
handsome, and, he has the most de-
hghtful way of speaking. l don't know
man in Boston to compare with him.
Don't fear that / shall fall in love with
him-I hope / have sufficient family
pride to prevent that. l think he is
Irish. Don't let any one else see this
letter Lovingly yours.
GERTRUDE"
From Helen Gates to Gertrude:
Dear Gertrude-It's just as well
that you have no intention of falling
in love with the Irishman. Mamma
would never forgive you. The three
other girls have married to her entire
satisfae.-on. and you know she has
selected 'Pinky' Stauffer for you-the
dear little doll with his millions.
"Of course /, a crippled dwarf, need
have no thought of marriage, but if
/ were a tall, handsome girl like you
I'd marry a man-not tailor's model.
And wouldn't care if he were a Fee
jee Islander, if he were strong and
handsome, and l liked him, as l be-
heve you're going to like this Mr..
Burke.
Claude grows lazier every minute
he has engaged valet now, trying
to be as near like 'Pinky' as possible
Mamma expects to see your let
ters to me. but she shan't. If she
insists I'll scream, and she'll think l
am going to lose my mind. Oh / know
how to fix mamma l wouldn't do that
to papa, but he understands lots or
things that mamma doesn't-girls, for
instance. Write me all about the rides
and Mr.. Burke. Your loving little sis
ter. HELEN"
From Gertrude to Helen:
Dear Little Sister, wish / could tell
you of the beautiful life here-every-
thing is so free and natural, and peo-
pie seem to be glad they are alive
1 know / am. It's in the atmosphere,
/ think.
I'VE go riding every day. I never
before knew the real pleasure of rid
ing. Riding around the parks on our
horses with their mincing little gait
isn't much like flying over the prairies
on this horse of Lloyd's. She takes a
long, swinging lope, and you feel as if
you and the horse were one, and that
you were being waited through space
without effort or care.
IT am very happy, but sometimes /
am half afraid, because l believe Lloyd
is in love with me, and If he is, think
how dreadful to have to go back to
Boston and marry Pinky Stauffer. 1
suppose mamma and 'Pinky' have set
the day. and dare say Claude will go
to Paris to buy the trousseau. The
mere thought of 'Pinky' Stauffer
makes me sick and faint. What ter
rible thing to have to pass years and
years in his company! I know / can
never forget Lloyd Burke as long as
/ live. i wish I felt as near to papa
as you do, Helen. Perhaps if I only
knew how to tell papa, he would find
some way to help me. Good-by for
this time. I can see Lloyd coming
we are going for a long ride
GERTRUDE"
From Mrs. Gates to her daughter
Gertrude:
MY Dear Daughter-Your sister is
quite ill-prostrated with nervousness
because 1 took your letter from her.
However, 1 always obey the dictates of
duty, regardless of the consequences to
any one. and under the care of your
father and DR.. Payne trust she will
soon recover.
81 desire your immediate return to
Boston You may make Helen's illness
an excuse to Amy. Give our kind re-
CARDS to her and her husband and ex-
tend to them cordial invitation to
visit US next winter.
AS for this person, Burke, you will.
IL possible, make your departure with
out seeing him again. If this is not
possible I trust your sense of decorum
will suggest that you confine yourself
simply to that kind of courtesy that
lady always bestows upon a worthy
person of the lower classes. Your af-
fectionate mother,
NANCY ARABELLA GATES.
''P. S.-No hint of this unfortunate
affair must reach your brother. Claude
is an ideal gentleman: it would be