The San Francisco call., 1905-02-10
~ yoU know. OF course, that
80 " France Delamere is staying at
The Oaks ?''
HYes, I know"

hG 4Oe1rAc
''Yes, I know"
Harrison, stretched out on
the yellow beach under the shade of
huge umbrella, turned on his elbow
and looked curiously at his friend.
You know, too, that you're most
In. love with her!" he said
quietly.
DR.. Bergen's patrician face flushed
hotly under its deep bronze tan.
That's a nice speech to fire at a
mani" he commented.
Harrison Hill laughed leniently.
"Oh, you never mind what I say.
That's one of the privileges of
friends"
And FOOLS" cut in Bergen coolly.
you have me there 'acknowl-
edged Hill. II believe those who wore
the motley were permitted to express
their opinions with some frankness.
WE'LL you may class me with those If
you wish. But I'm going to tell you
straight that you're making mistake
about that girl. You admired her tre-
mendously last winter in the city.
Well. we all did for that matter. But
you had the best show Of the bunch.
She wouldn't look at little three
for-a-cent chap like me, for instance.
And you held off-you're holding off
now. I wish knew why! You're in
love with her!' he repeated stubborn
ly. Il haven't known you all my life
for nothing!"
Max Bergen laughed uneasily and
evaded direct reply.
Miss Delamere is a very beautiful
young woman" he said. "She has
wealth, social position, many friends
You have all those" his friend in
sisted eagerly.
Il met her frequently last winter"
went on the young surgeon. "She was
always bediamonded. exquisitely cos
TUNED, perfectly coiffured. Her shoul-
ders were like white marble and her
hands were the loveliest man could
look at. But-was there a Won1an's
heart under that fair bosom? Did
her feet ever go on an errand of mer-
cy? Was that perfect hand ever ex-
tended in kindly deed? doubt it,"
"Ah, so that's the reason!" said
Hill. "Well, 1 can't prove it, but l
think you're tremendously mistaken!"
II wish to heaven you could prove
it," said Bergen, with an intensity that
shook him. I'D give ten years Of my
like to know France Delamere is what
1 wish to believe heri'
"Harki" cried Harrison. His red
head was lifted-listening YES" he
called, "Dr. Bergen is here!"
Both men were on their feet in an
instant, Bergen towering over his
companion. An excited group was
bearing down on them. The foremost
"a hysterical woman-spoke.
It'll take so long to go up to the
town. DIR. Frees is away, anyhow. A
we seen the fire in the back yard,
an"
Bergen tossed his keys to Hill.
Run up TO my room for my medicine
case and follow me. Where did the
accident happen?"
The woman knew him for one of
the rich city guests at The White
Horses.
Maybe you won't CO." she whined.
Its over in Washerwoman's row."
Bergen was off on a run. He knew
the poor part of this fourishing sum-
mer resort where the laundry work of
visitors was done by resident women
The little creature who met him at the
gate of the frame cottage had an ap-
pealing face and an air of singular re-
finement. Her speech also confirmed
the latter impression.
''She would put on one of my cotton
dresses and help me-" she explained.
''She knew / was up with the baby all
last night. Not that it's the first time
she has helped me, and
But how did it happen?" he inter
rupted hastily.
"Fannie was sprinkling the clothes
and laughing. She didn't know how
to iron. But she said she could mind
Teddie and do that at the same time"
And the stove exploded?"
Not right away, sir. 1 was ironing
and she noticed the stove was smok-
ing-hard. Teddie had crawled up
close to it, She just flew across the
kitchen, tossed the child to me and