The San Francisco call., 1906-11-04

the fush upon her wet cheeks deep
ened and became dark; even her arm
grew redder as she gazed back at him
In his eyes was patent his complete
realization of the figure she cut. of this
bare arm. of the strewn hair, of the
fallen stocking, of the ragged shoulder
of her blouse. OF her patched short
skirt, OF the whole disheveled little
figure. He was the master of the
house. and he was sending her home as
ill-behaved children are sent home by
neighbors.
The immobile, amused superiority OF
this proprietor of silver boxes, this
wearer of strange and brilliant gar
ments. became slightly intensified as
he pointed to the fallen sleeve. rag
of red and snow, lying near her feet.
''You might take that with your" he
said. interrogstively
Her gaze had not wayered in meeting
his. but at this her eyeisshes began tc
wink uncontroiIably. her chin to trem-
BILE. She bent over the sleeve and
picked 1t up before Joe Louden. who
had started toward her, could do 1t for
her. Then turning, her head still bent
so that her face was hidden from both
Of them. she ran out or the gate.
do go," Joe called after her ve-
hemently. Co. Just TO show what a
fool you are to think Genes In ear
nest"
He would have followed. but his step
brother caught him by the arm. 'Don't
stop her" said Eugene. Cant you
tell when | am In earnest. you bally
MUIR
II know you are returned the othc.
in a low Voice Il didn't want her to
think so for your sake
Thousands OF thanks" said Eugene
- nd "a
She couldn't stay--in that state, could
she? l sent her for her own good.
She could have gone in the house
and your mother might have loaned her
a Jacket returned Joe. swallowing
You had no business TO make her &c
out In the street like that
Eugene laughed. There isn't n SOU
in sight--and there, she's all right now
She's home"
Ariel had run along the fence until
she came to the next gate, which
opened upon q walk leading to n shah
by, meanderins old house of one story
with very long low porch. once paint
cd white, running the full length OF
the front Ariel sprang upon the porch
and diss ppeared within the house
Joe stood looking after her. his eye
lashes winking as had hers. You
oughtnt to have treated her that way
he said huskfly.
Eugene laughed again. How were
you treating her when | came UP:
You bully her all YOU want to your
self, but nobody else must say even a
fatherly word to herr
That wasn't bullying" explained
Joe. I'VE fight all the time"
"Mais QUIZ assented Eugene Il
fancy"
WHAT" said the other blankiy.
IL I.
come on, commanded Mr.. Bantry tart
ly. Where's the mater?"
Joe stared at him. Where's what ?''
The mater" was the frowning re-
ply
oh yes, / know said Joe. looking
at his stepbrother curiousIy. i've seen
1T in stories. She's upstairs. You'll
be surprise. You're wearing lots of
clothes. Gene.
Il suppose it will seem so in Ca
nann.. returned the other weariedly.
Governor feeling it?'
Il never saw him." Joe replied: then
caught himself. "Oh. 1 see what you
meant Yes he's all right"
They had come into the hall, and
Eugene was removing the long coat.
while his stepbrother looked at him
thoughtfully.
Gene asked the latter. in a soft
ened voice, have you seen Mamie Pike
yetg'
You will find. my young friend
responded Mr.. Bantry, IF you ever go
about much outside of Canaan, that
ladies names are not supposed to be
mentioned indiseriminately"
It's only" said Joe. that / wanted
to say that there's a dance at their
house tonight. L suppose you'll be go
fng?"
Certainly. Are your,
Both knew that the question was
needless; but Joe answered. gently:
oh, no, OF course not" He leaned
over and fumbled with one foot as IL
to fasten loose shoestring "She
wouldn't be very likely to ask me-"
Well. what about it?''
only that-that Arie Tabor's going .
"Indeed"' Eugene paused on the
stairs, which ne had begun to ascend.
Very interesting"
Il thought" continued Joe, hopefully
strengthening up to look at him, that
may be you'd dance with her. I don't
believe many will ask her-Tm afraid
they won 't-and IL you would, even only
once, ii would kind of make up for
he faltered-"for out there" he fin
ished, nodding his head in the direc-
ton of the gate.
If Eugene vouchsafed any reply, il
was lost in a loud, shrill cry from
above, as a small intensely nervous
looking woman in blue silk ran half
way down the stairs to meet him, and
caught him tearfully in her arms
Dear old mater" said Eugene
Joe went out of the front door
quickly.