The San Francisco call., 1910-01-30

By LUKE THRICE
I was the measure of his social progress that Rob-
ert Carter received his invitation to the north
shore residence of the Gatz-Browns as merely a
preliminary to a greater end. few months
earlier it would have stood as decisive triumph
in itself Now it meant that he would have three
days under the same roof with Mrs. Joyce Pulsain,
one Of those who the golden keys at her girdle
To attend Mrs. Pulsains first October reception
was privilege sought by many dweIlcrs among the
lofter circles where the Virginian had never pene-
trated- 1t was well toward the end of the summer
and time was ripe for sche1ng If he was to find his
the list. His little item of advance informa-
ton concerning the presence of the grand dame at
the gathering had been obtained from Sam Pulsain,
her only son.
In Carter's intimacy with the boy he had steered
a most circumspect course. He had never recalled
Sans promise thathe should meet Dorothea Pulsan,
the talented sister He had never yielded to ofhand
requests to dine with the family While content to
keep Sam trump he had not intended to force
the play. He knew that Sans domestic standing
of the safest and that he was to acquire
definite hold upon the Pusains it must be through
direct attack Here his opportunity to approach
Mrs Pulsain himself and in his own way An i'm
preston once made Sans friendship would serve to
confirm It.
A trap waiting at the railroad station, and he
was rolled away through graded green vistas and
graveled roads TO the sweep Of hill where the quaint
brick and white colonnaded mansion commanded a
wide view upon the sound. From the front of the
place the descent gave upon strip of beach and
41,-
welcomed him in the open, wind swept hall Carter
had met his host several times at the Percival
Champneys and had filed away the ruddy faced little
man with his curling white galways and brisk manner
as friendly and approachable individual
There you are, Carter. You're we'll beforehand"
he said heartily, he shook the visitors hand Mrs
Gatz- Brown is out with young Tenny in his motor
boat We hardly expected any one on this train
Lucky sent the trap a chance. You'd have been
stranded, my boy. Hal hal Well just stroll around
bit if you like"
Carter followed him out upon the hill and back
toward the stables OF the greatest delights of
life to the sturdy old stock manipulation On the way
he gathered points as to the persons he should
meet during his stay His shrewd guess that he
owed his own presence there the Percival Champ
neys was soon verified.
"Weu have to make up fishing party, expect
for Champney," said his host Capital fellow,
Champney. Quite mad on fishing But you won't
have to join unless you want to. Nobody does any
thing here that conflicts with his own particular
hobby If you want to ride show you some of
the best saddle horses in the country. There are
autos too though I'm just old fashioned enough not
TO care for them, and feet of water craft Amuse
yourself my boy; that's how arrange matters
here"
Wins the Brokers' Heart
Carter joined cheerfully in the elder mans homely
and cordial conversation winning the brokers' heart
by his appreciation of the stable. He gathered on
the way back that there would be about twenty in
the party.
Mrs Pulsain is to be here, is she noti" he in
CURED
"Yes, she's coming with Mrs. Dusoy relative,
believe But I've sad blow for you young chap.
Her daughter will not be here. Away with school
I'm disappointed myself A marvellous girl Carter"
So he ratified on until they had completed detour
and reached the boathouse and landing float where
high power gasoline launch was just drawing in
Carter knew the TALL slight young who stood
~swlcwardly in the boat Edgar Tenny Mrs. Gatz-
Brown sat in the stern. The amateur yachtsman was
patiently i'll at being thus compelled execute
nice maneuver before spectators and bungled his
landing sadly Carter and the attendant aided to
draw the craft to the float after Tenny had backed