The San Francisco call., 1908-07-05

The color surged into her face and
then faded, leaving her ghostly white.
Her hand f1uttered like a frightened
bird as she gave 1t to him in greet
ing.
1--WE have been watching for you."
said Herbert. His calm unconscious
ness Of her trouble was maddening.
Edith felt herself go sick to the heart.
1t was too late to run away now. She
must stay and face the music and make
the best of a miserable situation.
'Yes-I-I was delayed she gasped,
shaking the snow from her skirts.
'How-is Marion's-headache
Much better We are having tea
in the library. And we were wonder
ing why you didn't come. Let me take
off your rubbers, Edie," he continued.
in his sweet, elder brother manner.
'I-didn't wear any" said Edith.
nervously, Strengthening her hat be-
fore the hall mirror.
NO rubbers a day like tAis" His
tone was severe. 81 dare say your
mother wasn't at home
"She wasn't" answered Edith,
meekIy
Take off your hat, and come on"
"Oh, 1 can't take off my hat"
Cant? Not take off your hat? Say,
what's the matter with you, Edie?
You're all wrought up about some
thing"
He grasped her by the shoulders and
turned her toward him. Edith dropped
her eyes and again blushed with
startling vividness. He fumbled
clumsily in her hat and found the hat
pins, dragging them out one by one.
Now" he said. laughing. as he laid
the hat down on the stand. Now well
see whether you're going to stay or not.
Why, what is the matter with you,
child?"
A swift terror had sprung into
Ediths eyes. She clutched his arm
fearfully.
Herbert" she said. agonized Lis
ten; tell me. What was that sound?"
What sound?"
.Listen-wait a moment. Outside
there-that!
Herbert was frankly puzzled
Il don't hear anything" be said "ex-
cept the postmans whistle"
Yes, yes" she cried; Il thought So
1 thought it was the postmans whis-
tie" She laughed Historically.
She caught him by the arm. Come
come on, quickly. We will go to the
library and have-tear'
He followed her in silent amazement.
Gathered around the tea table were
Marion, her mother and two or three
OtneT people, WHOM EOlCn Qllnly r6COS-
nized and bowed to. With a mighty
effort she, succeeded in curbing her
anxiety sufficiently to conceal it from
the others, but Herbert watched her
carefully. 1t was quite evident to him
that his sisters friend was laboring
under some unwonted excitement.
Her light laughter was forced. Her
replies to the most casual questions
were given with difficulty. She seemed
oil
with a strained, eager attention.
He joined her where she sat on the
couch and tried to engage her in con-
versation, but the effort was fruitless.
Finally he said gently, "Edie-dear-
what is the matter with you today?
Tell me, can't you? What has gone
wrong? Perhaps I can help you"
Then the drop fell. The ominous
whistle, which had crept nearer and
nearer, ascended the Jennings steps
and blew its demoniacal blast almost
in her very ears. Edith shuddered and
felt herself grow cold. In front of all
these people she must preserve a SEM
blance of conventionality. She could
not rush into the hall and snatch her
letters from the hands of the maid
She could only sit and wait-and wait!
She did not answer Herbert's ques-
tions. In fact, it is unlikely that she
heard them.
Through the window she saw the
postman descending the steps and then
the front door shut Herbert saw him,
too.
Excuse me just moment" he said.
Il am expecting some proofs. 1 must
see If they came
He started from his seat, but Edith's
cold fingers closed over his wrist.
"No-no!' she breathed fearfully
Don't go-wait a moment. 1 have
something to say to you"
He sank back again. ''Yes?" he
questioned.
She did not reply Immediately. After
a moment she said: Let me go see If
your proofs came, Herbert"
Your he laughed in surprise. why
should you?"
I-should love Toto"
Nonsense. After a while you must
tell me just what is bothering you"
He gave her hand quick pressure, and
before she could stop him he had left
the room.
The moments that followed were
filled with interminable torture for
Edith. She thought of thousand ways
and means by which she could explain
the letters, only to reject each of them
in turn. To tell Herbert that the whole
idea was born OF q desire to write fic-
tion was absurd