The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 21, 1902, Page 1

9 publicztion of th novel in the series of ooks of up-to-date fiction n edition is published the first half of one of the most thrillingly in- € books of the day, “The Mys- tery Box.” Next Sunday the second half of story will be given, there- by completing the book in two issucs and making it possible for readers to obtain one of the best books of the day for 10 cents. This publishing of complete novels in two, or at the most three, issues of & newspaper, works a revolution in the matter of giving the public the at 2 minimum price; away with that ex- the al fiction where the is dragged along from week to week and month to month. hed was then came ly popular books “Nore Brave” both extrem: —and now comes “The Mystery Box,” ® strikingly dramatic novel that will bold your attention from start to fin- fxh, his is only the beginning in The Call’s great fiction list that will be offered to its res Mark the books that are to follow: Vincennes,” Maurice greatest work; “When Was in Flower,” the vy Charles Majors ever Autocrats,” by C. K. The Leopard’s Spots,” by Thomas Dixon & book on the race problem that been the sensation of the season, etc Thompson's Press Agency NASTON NO MAN'S " OVER- AT ing s point of m was look- s always so wherever ipping her tea, before her, and everything rasting rkened the curling lashes and of brow whigh gave so expression to the hazel eyes young gold of the known bl in her starved, eople thoug s the obnoxio irl in gray cloth, with that the magnet wn failed to take ef- s precisely the term for s of & type which Miss acter of chaperon par- ve been handsome, but Itale lines on the dark of those “‘con- marred by the H clothes had have been traced a smart tailor in very likely written But they had seea their best da: the impression of “best days’'—in 2 *“Horrid person! there ogling u: exclaimed, finding and their career gave ever. having had any virtuous s t all. How he stand Miss Morley mentally some satisfaction in the plural,.though, as a matter of fact, h d never once removed his eyes s face noticed him. She was talking with [mrn'hv Lane, the girl with was most Intimate—if she could be id to be intimate with dny one in the school; but just as Miss Morley glanced toward the pair to see what Clssy vas doing, Dorothy Lane's eves roved to the Window. She saw the man in the shabby frock coat and once shining tall hat, who was walking slowly past the big window, and she saw, too, what was the attraction. Turning to her friend she said something in a low volce. But Miss Morley had trained her ears to abnormal shampness—or where would have been one of her chief qualifications as a chaperon for giddy schoolgirls?—and she heard the words: < There's a tall dark man outside ths window very much interested in you, my dear.” A suvdden rush of color streamed to C forehead, making even her pretty eurs pink as rose petals. ‘“The little flirt!” thought Miss Morley. “She's not offended at all. She's actually pleased.” Cissy did not look out at the window. On the contrary, she lowered her long lashes and took the opportunity of drink- ing some tea; but there was a half-smile on her lips, and certainly it appeared for a moment as if Miss Morley were right. Then ‘Dorothy Lane spoke again, ‘Do just take a gllmpae my flhlld. He's got a horrid face. At this Cissy seemed surprised. even forgot to set down her teacu balanced it ‘absent-mindedly in the alr, “A horrid face?’ she repeated, as if she had hardly been able to belleve her own ears. And slowly she turned her eyes to the window, Miss Morley covertly watching all the. time, Crash! went the Japanese teacyp into its saucer. It did not break; but the tea #pilt over, and all the girls at the three tables put close together for the party from Ashburton House gave little jumps or exclamations. “What Is the matter, Miss Grant?” in- quired Miss Morley, with-geverity. “Oh, nothing—nothing at all," Cissy as- sured her bastily. “Didn’t you ever have a funny, give-away sort of feeling in your wrist? What a crash the poor cup made. Luckily it didn’t break. I suppose I don't deserve any more tea after that, do 17" She’ rattled on quickly In a confused way, as was indeed quite natural, since the noise of the/.cup coming into such violent contact'with her saucer had at- tracted more attention to her than ever. But instead of blushing as most normal girls would have blushed for their awk- wardness, this abandoned girl had turned deadly white, 5 Often Miss Morley had thought of late that Cissy Grant was not looking as bright as she had when. she first came to Ashburton House, but never had she seen her as pale as now. ‘“‘Aren’t you well?” consclentiously in- quired the chaperon. “Quite well, thank you,” replied Clissy, trying to smile. “Only—I daresay it’ coming into this warm place and drink ing hot tea after the cold out of door: I think T must have been a little gidd far a minute. Please don’'t mind.” “You look ready to faint, dear,” ex claimed Dorothy Lane. “I think,” went on Miss Morley, if you are all home,"” “Oh, no!" ejaculated Cissy. “Surely not yet. We've been here no time at all. and—and -it's my last day.” +.“Your last day but two,” lflu Morley corrected her. ‘That's what I meant, my last party.” Afterward Miss Morley remembered those words against Cilssy. “It's my las day.” But at the moment she was al most ready to give way and allow the girls to finish out their hour at-the Bond street tea-rooms, when Cissy herself hal rose, nervously. And if the girl had bee: white a few seconds before, she was rec enough now to atone for it. " “Does she want to go after all?” Miss Morley was wondering, in amiazement, at 50 abrupt a change of mind, when her “tha ready we had better g meekly. “It'E No, Miss Cecil Grant had no thought of T given that' start, as it to rise, efther in sheer nervousness or e