impatient.

"It's all over now," said Emile, in his usual voice, "and except the
chimneys and some fallen plaster there's really no damage done. But
I'm afraid they have caught it pretty badly at the mission, and at San
Francisco in those tall, flashy, rattle-trap buildings they're putting
up. I've just sent off one of the men for news."

Her father was in San Francisco by that time; and she had never thought
of him! In her quick remorse she now forgot all else and rose to her
feet.

"I must telegraph to my father at once," she said hurriedly; "he is
there."

"You had better wait until the messenger returns and hear his news,"
said Emile. "If the shock was only a slight one in San Francisco, your
father might not understand you, and would be alarmed."

She could see his face now--there was no record of the past expression
upon it, but he was watching her eagerly. Mrs. Randolph and Adele had
moved away to speak to the servants. Emile drew nearer.

"You surely will not desert us now?" he said in a low voice.

"Please don't," she said vaguely. "I'm so worried," and, pushing quickly
past him, she hurriedly rejoined the two women.

They were superintending the erection of a long tent or marquee in the
garden, hastily extemporized from the awnings of the veranda and other