The San Francisco call., 1910-05-01

from the clubhouse float to the pier before he
- saw her She had taken two steps down before
she saw him. Eyes flashed against eyes in the
parry of glances She hestated just the fraction of
instant then swept on careiessly with fixed inter
est in motor boat that was swooping toward the
end Of the landing He kept his gaze, direct and
challenging, upon her, but she was quite unaware of
his presence There was no hint of color in her face
She drew aside slightly against the handra to let
him pass. Until he reached her he was fully deter
mined to speak, decision in which her pause con-
6rned him, But when he turned toward her the cold
calm Of her cheek chilled his resolution and he
climbed on without word. And this was their first
meeting since her widowhood.
OF course it was strictly none of Carters business
that Mrs. Osterman should choose to leave the club
house float in Horace Qurks new motor boat nor
that her one and only companion should be young
Horace Qurk himself But Carter, sitting on the
veranda. became most uhwisey attentive TO the con
vcrsation OF Dorothea Pulsain, who had given him
the benefit Of her society, and followed the little
scene at the waters edge with engrossed attention
For matter OF months he had been assidu-
ously persistent in watching Mrs Osternan from
distance, so the present phenomenon was not alto
gether remarkable. Certainly Miss Pulsan, though
entertaining a distinct sensation of pique, found
nothing extraordinary in it
~lHhata beautiful boat Horace has this yearr" she
observed falling abreast of his train of thought
with dangerous ease and sweetness He nodded ab-
senty. -.
and do notice how delightfully."- careful he is in
helping Marion aboard Really, now, right out there
on the. dock Did you see that? Apparently, from
his scoul and his sudden flush, he did Certainly the
manner in which the charming young widow ac-
oepted QuirIs aid we'll the manner in which it
offered was not that of casual acquaintance The
fact that she looked dstracngly dainty and girlish
in her yachting costume after her months of mourn
ing added considerably to the picture. Dorothea
smiled
Well Matched Couple
DO you know, never quite believed what every
ones been saying. But do now. Don't your"
WHAT" growled Carter ungraciousy.
ooh, what" returned Dorothea innocently. "How
should I know? But there they are, And must say
that they make very handsome and very we'll
matched couple"
"Dorothea," said the virginian suddenly, your
fnesse. is something to marvel at"
so I've been told" she said There they go.
Dear me- how gallant Horace looks at the wheeIl To
think that never noticed his really magnificent pres
ence before and his taste, particularly in motor boats
But it's too late isn't it,"
Delicate as a war club" commented Carter but he
WINGED none the less.
q wonder where they're going to-" said Dorothca,
they watched the craft shoot swiftly OUT leaving
boiling wake OF white. Something in the tone aroused
Carter and he looked at his companion suspicouslv
Well where?" he asked sharply
Goodness, how boorish you areP
WheHupon Carter read himself brief lecture for
possibly the thousandth time to the effect that it is
never we'll to treat any woman with scant attention.
no matter how unnecessary she may appear to be at
any given moment
~Dorothea," he. said humbly
Yes"
Tell me-"
What"
'Will you have some chocolate and baba au
rhum?" he asked desperately.
"Of course. How nice of you" she said sweetly
It was half hour of penance but he endured if
manfuly, submitting TO Dorotheas sledgehanlmer wit
with good grace At the end he triumphed, as he al
ways could even with Dorothea
They've gone to the Pine Point inn for dinner"
said that young woman finally. "And much good may
the information do you"