The San Francisco call., 1906-04-08


may transgress.
Mr. Chadeller had no sooner taken his
departure than Waldron was favored
able. Said agreeable presence appeared
in the form of a very brisk young woman
clad in a most becoming tailor-made
gown, topped by an equally fetching Gre
alton of the milliner's art, and swinging
a very elongated umbrella.
well, I'm beari I may not look the
part, but ami was the surprising dec
Iaration of this interesting creature as
she planted the aforesaid umbrella di-
rectly before her and contemplated the
man with mingled seriousness and amuse-
ment the former. however, seeming to
predominate From all am able to un-
derstand," she further declared 1.-The
bulls turned the tables on the bears and
drove them into the woods helter-skelter.
and-well, really, don't know-why do
they do such things?" she asked. quite
helplessly.
''Beastly shabby of the bulls!" he told
her, not very sympathetically, 1t is to be
feared.
"I am one of the unfortunates, it
seems" she continued, not much en-
lightened by his reply. Lost all my
money-or most of 1t. Mr.. Lowe sent me
a sort of preparatory warning this after
noon. and was to have seen me this
evening to give me full particulars. which
did not wait to hear. If he has lost my
money-that ends it. I cannot be of any
assistance to him. To be sure, might
worry him a good bit, but that would
only make the poor man moro miserable,
and not give me any satisfaction. Jack
told me you were here, so l came to tell
you my troubIes-I must conf1de in some
one How are you? Troubles first
greetings afterward,'' she laughed,
forcing herself with evident effort to
make light of her misfortune.
Perhaps. after all, the affair has been
grossly exaggerated he suggested, the
conversation again reverting to her
troubles.
''Ah yes, to be sure-you could not well
miss it, The occasion distinctly calls for
one of two replies-any variation would
have stamped you a genius. You might
have brutally suggested that the worst
was yet to come
IT was conscious of the extremely COM
monplace character of my remark. How
ever, as i failed to achieve greatness, I
may, perhaps, congratulate myself that l
also failed to transgress precedent"
"Of course 1 must dispose of my house.
horses. and all accessories. which 1 do
not so much mind on my own account
but my mother will take quite another
view," she told him. more seriously. II
have not as yet informed her-I was not
up to it. The disposition of the property
involves certain complications, which
do not in the least understand, except
that the proceeds do not all revert to me
lin fact, but a small portion. 1 was sup
posed to have sufficient to squander aside
from the property, and everything was
carefully arranged so that I might not
in a mad moment, do away with my
worldly possessions in one wild swoop.
was beautifully protected against myself,
and left TO the mercy Of my guardian, a s
events have proved. Whether I still
possess q place to lay my blessed head.
OF am subject for my own asylum. is
beyond me just at present"
ALLOW me TO relieve you of your UNI
brella: and will you remove your hat?"
he CONSIDERABLY suggested. at the con-
clusion of her remarks to which he had
listened very intently.
Don't you like my hat?" she inquired
seemingly surprised at his apparent lack
of appreciation. II think 1t perfectly
lovely"
THE hat as you say is perfectly lovely
no aspersions intended, 1 assure you. I
desire a few moments very serious con-
versadon with you, and the hat and UNI
brella would be sure to get on my
nerves"
Nerves. indeedl You never had one.
The lack of them is far more likely to up
set you. I am at once suspicious when
you confess to weakness. What devil
try are you UP to now, sir?"
will you sit here?' he said, arranging
a pillow at one end of the small sofa.
Now 1 am convinced that something is
about to happen. However. 1 am pre-
pared for the worst-I believe 1 have
reached a state of recklessness," she
laughed, as she accepted the place made
for her.
You see 1 am taking complete posses
sion Of you. I am quite convinced that
you are in sad need of protector he
told her. as he took possession Of the
other half of the sofa.
'I am sure of It. If L received my just
deserts 1 should be reduced to short
strings, given my doll rags, and relegat-
ed to first principles generally
rs not that rather an extreme view
of your immediate requirements?
mine is an extreme case. Heroic treat
ment only would be efficacious."
'Will you permit me to prescribe for
you?" he inquired. more seriously than
he had yet spoken.
81 fear that your prescription would
avail me lttle." she said, regarding him
rather doubtfully. However, you may
prescribe, but understand, sir, I unequiv-
ocally reserve the privilege of rejection
THAT is ever the prerogative of your
sex-to accept or reject" he gently in
terposed.
Because I don't like bitter things, and
besides, your motives are not altogether
clear to me. They have not at all times
been above suspicion, 1 am compelled to
remind you, and 1 do not intend to bar
gain for any more bricks of whatsoever