The San Francisco call., 1906-05-20

friends
They all went out together. In his ex-
citement Vaughan forgot u eat
Now, don't you say another word TN
you've finished your SUPPER, command
ed Mary I'm not Soins to srsak again.
When they hail returned to the study
Vaughan asked for mis- letters. IF you'll
excuse me. III run them through now"
he said
Re opened the packet Those from his
tatfer and mother lay on the top Of the
rLs. He read these first Ties in no
hurry TO get 70 those from his wife,
Mary said to herself.
Vaughan looked up with shining eyes.
That's a beautiful letter from mother."
he said with feeling Fathers IS good.
too; but you women know how to say
things
He smiled over his letter from his old
pastor. Let me read you some OF this"
he said, 'it's so characteristic, 7 am so
glad,'-this is what he writes.-'that you
have returned to your old work I al
ways said you were a born preacher.
When YOU embarked IN that surgical boat,
felt sure there would be whale sent
out after Jonah, and il Is relief to learn
that you have been at last belched out
on dry land Isn't that Just like him.
Vaughan turned again to his packet
He stood Delia's letters up in a row be-
fore him on his desk and a quizzical look
came into his eyes as ne noted the sUper-
scripuons- He selected the one written
first and deliberately broke the seal Mary
anxiOusly watched his face Frank
shouldered the baby, who was becoming
restless. and walked with her out into
the church.
Clement burst into a laugh. Poor
Della he exclaimed. "she thinks gold
and silver grow like flowers here in Ne
vada. All you have TO do Is 70 gather
them She wants me 70 have my FIRST
nugget made into a ring like the one
Lizzie Parkin's husband sent her. She
has inclosed a drawing OF IT." Clement
laughed and read on. ''She says she has
a surprise for me. b1t will keep II TIL
come home at Christmas" He slid the
first letter into its envelope and took UP
the second.
'Tt is very much Ike the frst" he
commented. lust gossip about the
neighbors-is anxious 70 have me get well
and strong. says I mustn't overdo. and
on. and so on" He ran rapidly over
the contents. refolded the sheet and re-
turned II TO the enevlope.
Over the third he paused Mary drew
a long breath. Now it's coming" she
said to herself
This was the letter written IN answer
to Clements telling or the night at Lou
Pughs. What did Della say IN reply to
that inpassioned appeal what could she
say that caused the slender brown fingers
to tighten on the closely written sheet2
He glanced UP and met her inquiring
eyes.
It's only what you'd expect from a girl
who has been brought up as she has
he said apologetically She's never real
lied her duties TO her reIiow-men. Her
duties have been TO her family and her
self. Most people are ike that. you know.
Mary. They feel that II every man does
his duty by his own, the whole scheme Of
the universe win run smoothly I've tried
to show her another side Of the picture.
but In her eyes I'm failure. you know.
I haven't money or position He
paused for moment before he continued.
Her father thinks I'd better come
home before make any more mistakes"
he said with a laugh. Her uncle offers
me a place in-in the brewery"
Clement
MARY, they're good. honest people.
living according to their light To them
I'm fanatic. a fool. They can't under
stand How should they2'
He broke the seal OF the fourth letter
and whiried his chair away from the light
Of the window so that Mary could no
longer see his face while he read. She
responded by quietly leaving the room.
She found her husband walking UP and
down the narrow aisles between the
chairs They were arranged IN the seq
ment OF a circle. many in the center. few
at the sides. She tried to imagine them
filed with people. tried TO picture Clement
on the platform behind the reading desk:
but the place was too big and bare and
empty. The great black stoves 70 the
right and left OF the door had a brutal
look. The air was close
No sound came from the inner room.
Nothing was TO be heard save the squeak
OF Franks boots as he went up and down
with the child She was half asleep,
flung Imply over his shoulder her fair
head dropping against his rough coat
Mary went up TO her, put the damp curls
back from her moist forehead and touched
IL with her lips.
Frank" she whispered. don't you
think one Of US ought to go in there and
speak to him.
What for?''
ITO show our sympathy
He doesn't want sympathy. not at this
stage of the game"
What does he want?''
ITO be let alone"
Mary trudged after. catching at sonia's
hand and mounting it. It's getting late"
she whispered after a while.
Yes I'm going over 70 the hotel
He raised his voice Were going over
to the hotel, Clement. Wen see you In
the morning, or tonight. II you feel like
coming over"
There was q noise IN the rear room, OF
a chair pushed back. and Clement came
out into the church. Must you goT' he
said hurriedly. TT was very kind Of you
to come III see you before bedtime"
He stin held the letter in his hand
DO come over" urged Mary. Her
voice trembled- IF there's anything we
can do she faltered.
Frank took her by the arm. "Of course,
Clement knows we're always ready TO do
anything we can" he said briskly.
Left TO himself Vaughan returned TO
his own room and again read the letter.
He knew it by heart already, and yet he
must keep on readfng and rereading
those bitter words Their very vehen,ence
demanded that he should read and reread
them
"The law frees US from criminals and
lunatics." Della wrote. "and don't know
which you are the most Of. to refuse that
place at Virginia City. which meant COM
fort to me and freedom from trouble
when did you ever bring me anything but
trouble? Do you think you are so much
better than other men that you can let