Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-03-20

celXeO cordial welcome lTOh uoi
mother, and had not suspected the
schemes and subtle influence that
had led him Oh, step by step, from
the position of friend to that of ac-
cepted suitor of the beautiful girl.
While his feet were bringing him
slowly to the momentOus interview
after the failure of the firm Of which
his uncle had made him full partner,
Mrs. Cresswell was schooling her
daughter to meet the emergency.
did you write to Morris, MetaT
she asked, languidly stirring her
coffee.
Not yet was the reply. 'He
will probably call, being an honor
able gentleman, mamma
Il hope you will be firm, Meta
Remember that you have been
the injured party throughout
From the time your poor papa died
have had every reason to believe
Mr.. Tucker would make you and
your sister the heiress OF his prop
erty. He worshipped your aunt,
and he never spoke Of any rela-
tives of his own till this nephew
appeared. believe there was
some quarrel between the brothers
that ended in the younger one
going West, while John, the elder,
remained here. At all events it is
very clear now that Morris would
have been heir to the business and
property if this failure had not
happened. You are to be con.
graduated that it came before the
wedding, instead of after
Meta shrugged her shoulders.
yes Love in cottage is not in
my style' 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-reom,
while upstairs in her own room
sister Clarice wept for the pain
that was to fall upon Morris
fuckers heart.
She was a brown.eyed, golden.
haired girl, whose quiet, unpretend.
ing charms had long been over.
shadowed by the moro brilliant
beauty of her sister Meta. She
was timid to a fault, and was her
mothers greatest afflictiOn in her
career of fashionable gayety. 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 compan-
ion and friend. She had never
questioned her heart about Morris
Tucker, rejoicing sincerely when
his engagement with Meta drew
him into nearer brotherly relations
with herself. Shyly as she had
liked him, so she crept away to
weep for him. The utter heartless-
ness that would throw him aside
in his trouble was only cOmpre-
hensible to her from knowing well
how her mother and sister wor-
shipped wealth.
She heard the door of the
drawing-roo open and her sisters
voice say eOldly:
Good evening, Mr.. Tucker.
You have my best wishes for your
future success
Then a voice as cold and naughty
answered.:
'Thank you. | have the honor
to wish you good evening"
The drawing room door closed,
and Clarice could see Morris stand
ing under the hall lamp, silent and
evidently wishing to recover some
what from the pain of the trying
interview before going into the
street. He was very pale, and the
brightness that had formed one OF
the greatest attractions OF his face
was all stricken from it. The sad
pallied face conquered all Clarlce =
shyness. With a sudden, irreslsti
ble impulse she glided down thu
stairs and stood beside Msrrls.-
He did not hear the light foot ial
upon the thick carpet, nor see tha
he was not alone until soft toucl
on his arm startled him. Looking
down he saw sweet, pleadlnl
face, soft brown eyes, misty Will
unshed tears, raised to his own
: while Clarice said, in low voice
Morris, | must tell you ho7
sorry feel for you and Uncl'
| john
'Thank you, he said, gravely
, covering the little white hand upo
his arm with his own ; Il will tel
my uncle what you say
Tell him, she said, earnestly
that he has no friend who love
him more truly than l do-no on
who feels more deeply any miStol
Q tune that can happen to him.
Il will carry your message. An
s will you wish me GOd-speed, toe
Clarice | shall sail for Caliiornl