The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-18


Purdie to the review at half past 10
in the morningl Are we all mad2'
Flora thought.
The three little figures, the one going
up, the two coming down, touched op-
posite frfnges OF the grove-disap-
peared within it. On which side would
they come out together? Flora won
dered. They emerged on her side with
Harry little in advance. He cams
swingingly down the walk. straight
toward her. and across the road to the
carriage, his hat lifted. his hand out.
Well, Flora. he said. this Is luckr'
What in the world has got you, out
so early?' she rallied him
Came out to see Purdie on busi-
ness and here you are all ready TO
drive me back"
That's your reward"
he brushed his handkerchief over his
uaHp forehead Well, there's one
coming to me, for haven't found Pur-
her eyes were dancing with mischief.
marry, believe you're out here about
the Crew Idol. tool"
ne shook his head at her. smiling. It
moutont talk too much about that
lora- IL hicks poor Purdie on the raw
ery time that His sentence trailed
on INTO something else. for Mrs Purlie
The book had changed hands to
sether, evidently. with several expiana-
IONS. and Mrs. Purdie, with her foot
on the carriage step. was ready to
LndAe one OF these over again.
Inc ma1orIl be so sorry Hes gone
IN town It's so unusual for him to get
on AT this hour. but he said he had 10
eaten a man. As Mrs. Britton ana
were saving. he's likely to be very busy
until this dreadful AFFAIR is straight
eneo out II you can only wait little
expecting him every moment
Oh. It's OF no Importance. said
marry. but he looked at his watch with
q Ioid between his brows and then at
Sne car that was coming in.
wen. at least, you'll have time to see
the parade" said Mrs. Purdie. Il al
ways think it's a pretty sight. though
most OF the women get tired of It."
Claras face showed that she be-
longed to the latter class; but Flora,
TOO keenly attuned to sounds and sights
not to be swayed by outward cfrcum-
stances. was content for the time to
watch. In the cloud OF dust, the wheel
Ing pfatoons and rhythmic columns.
let through all-even when she was
not looking at him-she was aware OF
Harry's restlessness. OF his impatience:
and as the last company swung bar
backward and the cloud began to settle
over the empty field. he snapped his
watch case smartly and remarked.
still no major"
Why. there he is nowP' Mrs. Purdis
screamed. pointing across the parade
ground.
Flora looked. Half way down on the
adjoining side OF the paralIeIogram.
back toward her. the redoubtaBle Kerr
was standing. She recognized him on the
instant, as If he were the most familiar
figure In her life. Yet she was more
surprised TO see him here than she had
to rub her eyes. 1t took a moment
for her to realize that his companion
was indeed Major Purdie.
The major had recognized his wife's
signaling umbrella Row he turned
toward it. but Kerr, with a quick
the opposite directions. In her mind
Flora was with the major who ran
after him. The two men stood for a
little, expostulatfng Then both
walked toward the landau and the
linen umbrella
The carriage group waited, watch
Ing with tagging conversation which
finally fell into silence. But the two
approaching strolled easily and talked.
Even In cold daylight Kerr still gave
Flora the impression that the omen
was not big enough 70 hold him. but
she saw a difference in his mood. a
graver eve, a colder mouth, and when
he finally greeted them. a manner
that was brusque. 1t showed uncfvtl
beside the majors urbanity.
The major was glad, very glad to
see them all. He was evidently also
little furried. He seemed to know
that they had all met Kerr before.
Had it been at the moment of mis- at
tempted departure that Kerr had told
him. Flora wondered? And had he
given them as his excuse for going
away? 1t hurt her; though why should
she be hurt because a stranger had
not wanted to cross the parade ground
to shake hands with her? He was less
interested in her than he was in
Harry. at whom he had looked keenIy.
But Harrys nervousness had left
him, now that Purdie was within his
reach He returned the glance IN
differently. He stood close to the
major-hfs hand on his shoulder. The
major, with his bland blue eyes twink
ling from Clara to Flora. seemed the
only man ready to devote himself to
the service of the ladies'
And what's the news from the
front?" said Clara gayIy. Kerr gave
her a rapid glance. but the major
blinked as II the allusion had got
by him.
mean the mystery-the Chatworth
ring" she explained. However lightly
and sweetly Clara said IL. IL was a little
brazen to fling such a question at poor
Purdie, whose responsibility the ring
had been.
He received II amicabIy enough. but
conclusively- No news whatever. nv
dear Mrs. Britton-'
She smiled We're all rather inter-
ested In the mystery Flora has made
dozen romances about It"
''Oh. yes. yes" said the major fndul-
gently. TT will do for young ladies' To
make romances about. It'll be a two
days wonder. and then you'n suddenlv
find out it's something very tame in
deed"
Why. have they fixed the Suspicion.
said Clara.
Kerr.
NO. no: nothing Of that sort" said
the major quickly.
Harry passed his. hand through his
major?"
The excellent major looked harassed.
suppose We all step I'D to the house
ne suggested why. you're not going
oss, 80 1'A'-rr