Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-02-12
Meta shrupgcd her shoulders.

my styleln And while she spoke the
bell rang, and she knew her lover was
waiting to test her cold, worldly
heart. She sauntered with easy grace
into the drawing room, while upstairs
in her own room her sister Clarce
wept for the pain that was to fall up.
on Morris fuckers heart.
She was brown eyed, golden-hair-
ed girl, whose quiet, unpretending
charms had long been overshadowed
by the more brilliant beauty of her
sister Meta. She was timid to fault
and was her mothers greatest allie
ton in her career.0f fashionable gay
ETY.. With a higher intellect than
Metals. with more command of for
eign tongues, with true musicians
love and knowledge of music, sweet,
clear voice, and wonderful power Of
EXPIRE ssion, she was so painfully shy
that society was a misery to her. Her
beauty was of the delicate order that
does not strike at first glance, and her
affections were carefully hidden in
her shrinking, gentle heart
She had given John Tucker true
love since she was a mere baby and
sat upon his knee, playing with his
watch-chain. She had never thought
of his money, and when Morris came
she was only GLAD that her dear old
uncle, as she called him, was to have
a companion ard friend. She had
never questioned her heart about
Morris Tucker, rejoicing sincerely
when his engagement with Meta
drew him into nearer brotherly rela-
tons W \ herself. She respected his
worth, mis- devotion TO his uncle; she
admired his talents, his noble, frank
beauty, and she grieved deeply over
the sorrows so suddenly thrown into
his life. Shyly as she had liked him,
so she crept away to weep for him.
The utter heartlessness that would
throw him aside in his trouble was
only comprehensive to her from
knowing well how her mother and
sister worshipped wealth.
She heard the door of the drawing
room open and her sisters voice say
coldly:
Good evening, Mr.. Tucker. You
have my best wishes for your future
success"
Then voice as cold and naughty
answered:
Thank you. l have the honor to
wish you good evening"
The drawing room door closed, and
Clarice could see Morris standing UNI
der the hall lamp, silent and evidently
wishing to recover, somewhat from
the pain Of the trying interview be-
fore going into the street. He was
very pale, and the brightness that had
formed one of the greatest attractions
of his face was stricken from it. The
sad, pallid face conquered all Clarice's
shyness. With a sudden. irresistible
impulse she glided down the stairs and
stood beside Morris. He did not hear
the light foot fall upon the thick car
pet, nor see that he was not alone
until soft touch on his arm startled
him. Looking down he saw a sweet,
pleading face, soft brown eyes, misty
with unshed tears, raised to his own,
while Clarice said in a low voice;
Morris, l must tell you how sorry
/ feel for you and Uncle John"
"Thank you" he said, gravely,
covering the little white hand upon
his arm with his own; II will tell my
uncle what you say"
"Tell him" she said, earnestly,
chat he has no friend who loves him
more truly than | do-no one who
feels more deeply any misfortune
that can happen to him.
II will carry your message. And
will you wish me God-speed, too,
Clarice2 / shall sail for California in
a few days
The large, brown eyes dilated,
while the sweet face grew white as
snow. The blow was too sudden.
Without a word or murmur Clarice
fell forward, fainting. Morris caught
her in his arms and carried her to the
library. 1t was dark there and no
one saw the kiss he pressed upon the
pale lips before he put Clsrice gently
upon the sofa and left her. He did
not linger again in the hall. Snatch
ing his coat and hat hurriedly from
the rack he strobe into the street and
walked rapidly homeward.
Five years passed swiftly, and Meta
CreSswell had altered little when,
five years after her parting interview
with Morris Tucker, she stood in the
wide drawing-room of her mothers
house, waiting to greet a number Of
invited guests Time had matured
her beauty and taken nothing from
her great attractions. Clauce, shy as
ever, and pretty as "a violet, stood near
her sister, while Mrs. Cresswell, mag
nlhcent in velvet and diamonds, spoke
hurriealy:
Here is strange news, Meta, Mr..
Jarvis has asked permission to bring
q friend, and who do you suppose 1t
is2'
Il cannot guess, said Meta, Ian
Iguidly; some musical man, | sup
pose, as Mr. Jarvis is so devoted 10
Euterpe."
NO; it is Morris Tucker! Oh, Meta
l am so glad you have not accepted
young Cooker
Il thought you We're anxious To be
mother in-law to the $780, 00Y
But not since | have heard Mr..