The San Francisco call., 1913-11-25

"Need you ask2" questioned her
mother, in deep bitterness.
Please. mother. Father. does it
mean that you are going forever?s
..Y es. Alice
ITO live alone2 Please answer me. =
Yes. dear" The mans shamed head
lifted with flare of manhood.
.sThen ! am going with you.''
"Alicer' said the Mortified mother.
You can't do it, cried Kenneth.
"Oh, yes" replied Alice, simply.
s.Do you know what this man has
done?" questioned Emily Nelson.
Il think SO, but he has never had a
very happy home, and he must not
live all alone now. said the girl.
.'HIe won't, sneered her mother.
HER APPEAL
'Will you take me, father"
Through her own love for Tom
Harding, Alice had begun TO realize
how little any of them knew of her
fathers life--or cared The one de-
mand from him had been money
more money The head Of the Nelson
household worked all the time. He
gave everything They did not even
give gratitude. Alice felt that her
hour had struck Today her loyal
love must share failure and Danish
ment. If she failed one man as
daughter, she knew she must fail an
other as wife.
'Will you take me, father2"
What Of your marriage@ ex-
claimed Mrs. Nelson.
"It must wait. / think Tom will
understand
Tom Harding slowly bowed his
head But would he understand?
You are of age. make Your choice,
but make 1t once for all" said the
mother.
From the hall came Porter, serv-
ant grown gray In the Nelson service.
Mrs. Harding has called for you,
Mrs. Nelson
Emily Nelson picked up her CLOAK
of deep green velvet and priceless
sable-a fitting background for the
rich brunette beauty that still slowed
at 40
Are you coming, Alice2"
4 The girl walked to her fathers side
and put a firm little hand on his arm.
'.No. mother"
OUTWARD NERVE
SAY that 1 am quite ready, Porter"
commanded Mrs. Charles Nelson.
leader of society, to her servant
See me to the car. Kenneth. /
shall make what excuses can Tor
you, Alice
But as she crossed the threshold
her poise deserted her and COVER
ing, stricken woman clung to Ken
neth's arm.
Father and daughter stood TO-
gether Across the room was Tom
Harding, the mans partner In busi-
ness. the girls betrothed partner for
the business of life.
And in the widening gap between
them skeleton danced In shameless
glee and clanked it's rafting white
bones.
THE OTHER WOMAN
Miss Ryan sat at her desk In the
hall of the Alpine apartments The
telephones We're ringing away with
right good will. With equal good Will
Mamie Ryan was turning the leaves
OF a red bound book. cleaning eJe-
vator shot down the shaft, discharged
its passengers and became ieatuIe
Of the landscape.
William. the dusky boy" of the car.
glanced with broad grin at the girl
at the desk and spoke to whom IT
might concern.
.sWhen elevator bell rings-I find
it advisable to answer.
Miss Ryan sighed with world weari-
ness. put down her book ana turned
to the phone.
Hello, Hello, Well. / can't an
swer more than one call at time,
madame. Yes. Mr.. Nelson is here. He
came last night-about TO- He's out.
Yes. already. Yes, yes, yes' out.
She rang off emphatically and
yawned over her labors.
Another one wants Mr.. Nelson.
wouldn't have sized him up for q
ladys man, but men are all alike. !
she concluded with the wisdom OF
IS years--but they were IS New York
years.
Seems like right nice gentle
man to me- How do you know that
wasn't Mrs. Nelson?" asked the child
like African
Miss RYAN sniffed. And me an
swering phones for four years.
Hes GOT wife" persisted Will
liam.
Miss Ryan sighed. Il know, but
not this party His wife's lady.
This ones got one of them blond
voices. What easy marks men arer'
The worldly wise tone departed
from her voice with suddenness
which Williams wits-as woo.ly as
his hair-could not follow.
Oh. Mr.. Nelson!" she called, brisk