The San Francisco call., 1913-08-31

Does he write nice letters?"
'He writes quite often" She turned away her face;
he suspected in her eyes.
why don't you tell me I'm impertinent? he asked
softly. I'm that if you really love him. caroline
he must be worthy, he'll make you happy. H
you're sure!'
IL don't feel sure OF anything any more She
turned him desperate. beseeching eyes Living our
here all aone-and you come and cast douDts lnIo my
rnind-and OF balanceoh, 1t isn't far
of you and wish he here. wish he were here!
She put her and sobbed
Temple looked at ruefully. He reached over ana
put his hand her shoulder
..Tell me I'm low-lived scut," he said That's
what am Now you sit up and dry eyes. Caro-
going the thing that best friend surely
ought to do. I'm going Los Angeles tomorrow
morning buy wedding present And won't come
back afternoon before the wedding So that
will give you your bearings again I'm sorry
The devil does hold forthsin me sometimes
dried her and said paintyely: "Somehow
I you co.
you're a sweet dependent little kid-and complets
little woman sighed Temple. Il don't understand this
game ALL"
In Los Angeles he spent more money than he had
thought spending his whole vacation. He
chased mahogany table and sideboard and chairs for
the dining and mask-uphostered set of furn-
ture for the parior, rug Florentine mirror
the hail. and he have his purchases de-
livered at address which he would some time later
supply.
He returned to the Junction day before that set
the wedding the train he looked for one
who might resemble bridegroom but found none such;
he the only person aght at the Junction.
Caroline told him that her betrothed had had to
delay his arrival until the wedding day He had written
TO her that he was closing up important business
transaction that he would on the same train
with clergyman She seemed 10 Temple subdued
forlorn; and that evening. they sat together
the veranda, he thought he might cheer her up and
said:
NY feelings rather hurt You haven't asked
about your wedding present yet
oh, nor She suddenly became childike again-all
eagerness. ''Will let t-now? Oh. pleaser'
Il can't. haven't it with me. 1t was TOP big to
carry
When she next spoke ii was as If she were speaking
to herself
wonder" she said III every girl is frightened
day before she is to be married.
Are you frightened?'
II can't help it. know I ought be. happy but
derneath there's strange dread
1T will all vanish the your eyes rest the
"of coursee she looked at him gratefully. comforted.
The day at Caroline over the station
await the arrival the train from Los Angeles.
David Temple had chosen to withdraw himself
From his he heard the train arrive and depart
He waited for what seemed decent interval Then
went out upon the veranda just Caroline Mr..
Gunter and the clergyman coming up the steps.
He stood in the background while Carones father well
coined the bridegroom and the clergyman Gunter
porty young man. with paid complexion. loose.
habby mouth. fat pendulous jowls; nashy
suit and purple knitted neckte; his teeth
bad and his voice noisy.
Hello Mr.. Carrick. Glad to see you You're ac-
quainted with Doctor Grant, Of course And he drew
The clergyman, elderly meek-lookns man. for
ward by the arm Kind OF a sad-Iookns place
lOuo. tdlkaLlye
well, Carrie and don't mind Wen cheer up the sofi-
tudes and give the hotel folks good time This last
he vociferatsd with his eyes upon Temple
There hotel guests just now, john" said
Csroline; and at the her voice. 80 cold and
quiet Temple who had been studying the bridegroom,
looked at her. In her eyes. fixed him. read
tragic confession and appeal. There only Mr. Tenn
pie, who is friend Of mine from the Valley"
David forward Gunter greeted him warmly.
Pleased to meet you-glad could be hand-didn't
know Carrie had friends in this part Of the world
Then he nudged Temple and added audible to
Caroline: Say I've got couple OF zz in my
bag thought there'd be only the gents to drink
with. but and will have little celebration by
ourselves. Eth. what?"
Il shall be very glad to drink the brides health
replied Temple.
Gunter looked at his watch. Twelve o'clock and
the eastbound limited is due 81 said. Let's get
ready CarFia and be spliced right of. wen
There was moments silence Caroline, who had
have talk with YOU. john" she said. All alone
David Temple retifed again to his room. From his
window. which was at end Of the long veranda
could see Caroline and Gunter sitting together
chairs which he and Caroline often occuped
there else In sight.
He could not have heard anything they s;lid.
seemed scarcely honorable for him even lock- He
read page after Of .sTristram Shandy'
derstandng word AT last he looked his watch. II
quarter OF l. Then he glanced again out the
window. Caroline not there Gunter sitting Al
alone with his chin his hand