The San Francisco call., 1913-11-25

~, as the man they had been dis
cussing suddenly appeared. Note
for your
Thank YOU" said Charles Nelson.
His voice carried no hint of emo
ton. but his face was haggard and
lined from a sleepless night--a night
spent with conscience and catastrophe
"a night given to viewing the wreck
Of his home and the grisly guest in
his open family cupboard.
,, The note bore Alice's writing. Her
father turned from the elevator door
and hurried into the reception room.
A message from Alice must have
quick attention. He knew society's
ungenerous attitude toward those
who clung to a lost cause. And in
the prime of vigorous manhood
Charles Nelson had no better title for
himself than failure-"a lost cause"
"A party just called you up. Didn't
leave any name" announced Miss
Ryan.
Thank YOU" He had found that
Alice's note demanded instant action
May I use your phone? I'm in
hurry
Certainly What number"
Plaza cool"
Plaza POOL
The elevator bell summoned Will
liam. and Miss RYAN smiled impishly
at his plight. When elevator bells
ring it is advisable to answer. But
telephone operators and elevator bows
have an interest in scandal that is
worthy of their society betters.
Here. SIR Miss Ryan rose and
Nelson took her chair
ALICE APPEARS
Hello, That you, Winthrop? Charles
Nelson. Winthrop. am going to ask
great favor of you. Thank you. I
can't explain fuliy-but / hope you
viii agree. | am at the Alpine apart
me y-third street-just two
blocks from you. Can you run over
! you and Mrs. winthrop? Will she come
to me now? It's big favor I'm after"
He rang off. Thank YOU"
desk
''well-thank YOU, SIR"
Nelson stepped to the e1evator-rang
the bell. and soon the cleaning car
descended and ascended again.
The leaves OF the red book crackled
industriously. The phones buzzed away
again. Miss Ryan finished her chap
She threw in another plug and then
paused to eye the latest arrivals. A
pretty girl-smart. chic--undeniably
ter considered the events of the book
and her morning for a moment and
then threw in plug
Really? Five minutes? I'll give
you information
person and not party. Carrying the
girls dressing case was a tall, good
! looking chap. Things were happening
at the Alpine since Charles Nelson had
come at 10 last night Miss Ryan
| frightened her invisible" hairpin moor
| ings and then pushed her hair bit
further out across her cheeks.
| Mr.. Charles Nelson?" inquired the
girl.
Third fioor.''
| you needn't come up, Tom" said
! the girl, advancing toward the ele-
| vator.
What name?" suggested Miss Ryan
a bit severely.
| Miss Nelson"
| Miss Nelson Is calling She
turned from her phone. The gentle
man will be right down., she IN
| formed Alice. reserving Judgment as
to actual relationship
| Alice crossed into the reception
ROOM
| I'm going to wait with you" said
Tom. quietly following her.
| 1T isn't any use, Tom; I've decided.
| dear" said Alice, making her sacrifice
with gentle determination.
/ Il can't leave you TILL have seen
your father. Aren't you making a
sad mistake. Alicea Your mother will
never forgive you. The world will
soon learn of It. Oh. Alice, sweet
heart, it's pretty tough on us. How
long am to wait-for my wife?''
| 1t Is hard. dear. but ] can't help
1t. Tom. say you don't blame me-!
Hush, here's fatherr'
/ Her voice took on a firm timber
/ with a little undertone of grave
/ sweetness.
Well, father. here am. I'm afraid
| you don't want me-but you can
! scarcely turn me outi'
! There was deep pain in the fathers $
voice and glow Of grateful love in
| his eyes.
1 1T would have been better for you
| to have remained with your mother
until after your marriage / told you
| that last night. DEAR"
| My wedding has been postponed" :"
| The girl spoke in quiet. matter of
! fact voice. Tom Harding WINGED as
! at a blow.
~Alice:s exclaimed her father in
! deep distress.