The San Francisco call., 1908-04-05
CHAPTER XIV


Il intention Of seeing Lucy Ayres would not go
to drive with her. There's very nice little
. horse at the livery stable said she. and can
drive 1t beautiful morning and poor Lucy did n0s
look very we'll yesterday and think II VIII DO ner
good
Horace turned white Henry noticed it. Sylvia VINO
was serving something did not Henry had thought no
had arrived at knowledge OF Horace's suspicious.
which in themselves him perfectly sroundlsss
and now that he had. he supposed proved them to
be So profoundly puzzled He had gone to Hor-
aces assistance before. he did not ses his way
his breakfast medtativety. Horace pushed away his
plate and rose. Why what's the matter? asked syi-
via Don't you feel we'll. Mr. Allen?
"Perfectly WELL never felt better"
Il have eaten fast said Horace. 7 have make
an early this morning I have some work to do
Rose apparently paid no attention She went on with
Are you sure You know how to manage a horssr-
Sylvia said anxiousy. II used to drive but can't 60
with you because the washerwoman Is coming"
~of course I can drive" said Rose. II drive.
And believe there's a horse In the stable that
would get out of a walk anyway"
You won't try to pass by any steam rollers and
you'll look out for the automobiles, won't you? said
Sylvia
Horace left them talking and set out hurredy. When
ne reaened te AyIes mouse ne snsreo ae s11e .
walk and the bell with vigor. He was desperate
she turned red then white. She neatly
little blue cotton and her pretty hair was
her forehead. Lucy's hand went nervousiy
this curl "oh good morning" shs said breath
-
Horace f. Tssusnfd Rsr greeting sraysy Can see
wild light came into the girls Her cheeks
flushed again. Again she spoke in her painting
and excused herself futtsringly she was back In =
few moments Instead OF the curl paper th'rs was
also fastened the neck OF her wrapper with gold
and displayed lovely Of white neck She sat down
opposite Horace and the simple garment adjusted IT.
foolish and Of aImost rsvoltdnr Ts.fsins,. sbs xss
and and
revelation Poor Lucy could not help herself She
a thing always devcured and never consumed BY
Horace felt all this'psrfecsy in an analytical way
specs he felt that curious resentment ana outrage
of which man Is capable and which is nercsr than out
ragged maidenlness For man to be beloved when his
own heart does not respond is not pleasant He
not defend himself nor even RECOGNIZES the fact without
fsr as he could judge. absolutely nothing whatever
that. but the miserable all.
his mere existence as male Of his species nlsd him
He srove to hold to pity but anger got the better OF
him. Anger coupled with shame make baking
Now the man really at loss what to say. Lucy
sat before him. draped IN her little blue cotton robe and
lation and waited and Horace sat speechless Now he
there he wondered what he had been such
to to come, come for he wondered what ne had ever thought
Then Roses face shone before eyes and his
impulse Of protection made him rrn He spoke abruptly
Miss Luf he began Lucy cas-, her eyes down and
Good Lord! She thinks have come here at
sort of fury. He did not speak again. Hs actually
did not know how to begin. what to He did not
finally say anything He It seemed to him that
he must prevent Rose from going drive with Lucy
but he OF doing
When he got up 1t n Lucys face OF foolish
anticipation was overcIouded- You not going
soon' she stammered.
II have get school early this morning" Tfor-
ace said In harsh voice He the door
Lucy also had risen She looked altogether
The foolish wistfulness had gone Instead claws
seemed TO brtstIe all her tender surface. Sud
denly Horace realized that her slender. wfry body
was pressed against his He felt her soft
/ woman, and horribly helpless. helpless than
he had been in his whole life. What could be say
do? Then suddenly the parlor door opened Mrs
Ayres Lucy's mother, stood there. She with
stern, melancholy the whole situation. "Lucyr'
she said.
Lucy started away from Horace. ana razsd IN n
of fear and wrath
Lucy said Mrs Ayres, "go to your
Lucy obeyed- She skunk out OF the door and erept
weakly upstairs.
Horace and Mrs. Ayres looked at each other There
expression OF doubt In the woman's face
the first time she was not altogether Perhaps
Lucy had been right after all IN her surrfsss why
had Horace called?
What did you for, Mr.. Asn?"
Suddenly Horace thought OF the obvious thing
say the explanation to give Miss Fletcher is think
! ing of coming later Miss Lucy drive"
said he
And you called tell herr" said Mrs. Ayres
Horace looked at her. Mrs Ayrss understood
carriage that go,- said she Ny daughter
very nervous about horses allow her TO TO
$ drive without me-"
K She observed with sort OF bitter sympathy the
look OF relief overspread Horace's face
II will send telephone message from Mrs. Simms'
next door, the livery stable there win be mis-
i To Be Continued Next Week.
It II III