The San Francisco call and post., 1913-12-20

her eyes grew misty like great stars
of a midsummer night.
"Ah. my everything or nothing as
you like-so long as you look straight
in my heart with your lips half open
like that
II have already spoken to your
papa" went on the Captain, with a
return to his merry Irish humor.
You're a quaint soul" said Aline.
| The moment passed. She would not
could buy love with the story of
shame and pitiful blundering? The
moment passed-the machinery of
time clicked remorselessly on. and
Aline was whirled to her reckoning.
THE WRONG TIME
A merry hearts jest-the jingle of
telephone bell and a life goes out.
The long arm of circumstance seizes
on moments like this-moments when
honest confession almost clears the
tangled web of fate
Holbrook jested at crucial mo-
ment. Aline's mood changed--and the
telephone broke the slender thread OF
understanding. Grim death and grim
mer life must follow
'Hello-yes, this is Miss Aline Gra-
ham-said the girl idly into the tele-
phone. She had said IL so a hundred
times before, and might hundred
| times again-unless the spiders web
enmesh her beyond all hope.
Who? Flagg-Mr. Hudson? OH,
Mr. Judson Flagg. Yes?
| She spoke indifferentIy-but at the
mention of FIagg's name Holbrook
instantly became alert and attended
with as earnest concentration as he
had been gfbing to ignoring a con-
versatfon that was mot for him. A
puzzled look came into his face.
You want my father? Me? Do
I know you. Mr.. Flagg?
Her tone became a bit formal.
What is it, then? Oh"
She became tense-rigid, almost. as
she listened.
mol no! That is not true. sir!"
For a moment the girl seemed to be
on the verge of utter collapse. Hys-
terra threatened to overcome her.
Captain Holbrook came close-strong.
protecting, and with desire to help,
to handle this situation, whatever it
was, in every taut nerve and muscle
Aline seemed to galvanize into
for concealment at the consciousness
of his presence.
"Oh. oh; but I can't talk to you
nowl No, MOI III call you later.
Goodby!'
She dropped the receiver and rose
quickly, abruptly, struggling to hide
some great feeling; the joy had been
snuffed out from her face like the
light from candle. She was pale. and
terror and mighty agitation seemed
coiled about her very heart. The tele-
phone was still in her white hands.
THE STRUGGLE
Captain Holbrook seized it-and
suddenly power came to Alines nerve
less fingers. She found strength to
click the receiver back into place-to
cut off the enemy from whom the
captain would have defended her.
'No-the message was to me-Cap-
tain Holbrook"
But that man is a. bIackmafIer, n
human spider! Don't go near his web.
think he is responsible for that an
nouncement of our engagement in to-
days paper-the announcement which
broke my heart when 1 had to tell
/ people it wasn't true-the announce
ment of which your father thinks
know more than I admit. Don't you
see, the man has given you bit of
notoriety you don't welcome already.
| He's prejudiced your father against
the man you will marry-some day.
Alinei Let me handle this-whatever
| 1t is."
But whatever it was Aline had
heard from Judson Flagg. 1t had
placed her weary miles away from
Holbrook. She answered him coldly.
'No-if I need advice, Captain Hol-
brook, shall ask-my FATHER for
it"
'wnl your"
Aline nodded.
Good! You couldn't do better"
said the man. gracefully evading her
Intended snub.
She extended her hand coldly and
| finally.
Good nightv'
Good nightr said Holbrook, lin
| gering.
PLEASE go.'
Il will. Remember, 1 love
you ana there's nothing in
the world you can't ask me to do All.
I'd like to ask you again this minute
| to marry me-"
oh. please go!" cried the girl u