The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-15

ly.
"Good evening, Mr., Tucker. You have
my best wishes for your future success"
Then a voice as cold and naughty answer
ed.
"Thank you. have the honor to wish
you good evening"
The drawing room door closed and Clarice
could see Morris standing under the hall
lamp, silent and evidently Wishing to recov-
er somewhat from the pain of the trying
interview before going into the street.
He was pale, and the brightness that
formed one of the great attractions of his
face was all 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 not hear the light football upon
| the thick carpet nor see that he was not
alone until soft touch on his arm startled
him.
"Mor1is, must tell you how sorry feel
for you and Uncle )ohn." !.
"Thank you," he said gravely, covering
the little white had upon his arm with his
own; II will tell my uncle what you
say"
| 'Tell him, she said, earnestly, that he
has no friend who loves him more truly than
l do-no one who feels more deeply any
misfortune that can happen to him."
81 will carry your meassage. And will
you wish me God speed, too, Clarice ? I
/ shall sail for California in few days"
The brown eyes dilated, while the sweet
face grew white as snow. The blow was
too sudden. Without word or murmur
Clarice fell forward, fanting.
1 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 Clarice gently upon
the sofa and left her. He did not linger
again in the hall. Snatching his coat and
hat hurriedy from the rack, he strobe into
the street and walked rapidly homeward.
Five years passed swiftly, and Meta
Cresswel 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 number of invited guests.
Time had matured her beauty, and had
taken nothing fIom her great attractions.
Clarice, shy as ever, and pretty as violet
stood near her sister, while Mrs. Cresswell,
magnificent 10 velvet and diamonds, spoke
hurriedly:
"Here is strange news, Meta. Mr.. Jarvis
has asked permission to bring friend, and
who do you suppose it is ?"
81 cannot guess" said Meta, 'some
musical man man, suppose, as Mr.. Jarvis
is so devoted to Europe"
''No; it is Morris Tucker. Oh, Meta, 1 am
SO glad you have not positively accepted
young Cooke P'
81 thought you were very anxious to be
mother-n-law TO his two hundred thousand
dollars %
'But not since heard Mr.. Jarvis news.
My love, John Tucker has some land claims
in California that Morris hunted up and
sold for moro than double young Cooks
, fortune. He has come home now, and is
settling his uncle's estate, being his heir
for everything"
''Uncle John dead ~ cried Clarice.
Eyes, more than year ago, though
u N4lCFls HAS just tsturusti. thvhSii ~ poine
one is coming p
Inithe crowded drawing-room, an hour
later, Morris Tucker bent gracefully over
Metals hand and responded politely to her
cordial greeting, He met all her advances
with such evident pleasure in his welcome
that her heart beat with high hope
Life had been a struggle for rich hus-
z Il. ILL.,.
Q in society, and now there was one paying
her deferential attention upon whose heart
she had once made deep impression. Would
: he forget that cruel partying interview, ane
lay his fortune once more at her feet ?
Mr. Cook, young man about halfwitted
possessor of two hundred thousand dollars,
! watched the brilliant beauty who had smiled
: so sweetly upon him all Winter with jealoui
eyes, after Morris entered the room, bu
Meta forgot him in her new born hope. AL
the evening Morris hovered about Meta
a wondering where Clarice had hidden her
. self; but when the supser call thinned the
+ rooms Meta misred her cavalier.
In the conservatory Morris had seen
+ vision of golden head and white, futter
s dress; and Clarice, half hidden by Towering
s ing screen, saw him desert Meta to come be
l. side her.
Longing to see him, in an agony of mai
denly shame at the secret she had revealed
t when they parted, she had hidden Their
S to watch him unseen. But he came swift!
: across the 1owerbordered path to her side
It and taking her hand in his, said:
: "Clarice, have come all the way from
California to try to win your love. Little
one, with all my heart love you. My sole
y hope of happiness is the hope that you will
IL be my wife. Must go back again desolate
g Or will you bid me stay p"
She looked into his face, the pleading
e eyes, and her heart grew faint with its owl
n happiness as she whispered:
u ''Stay, for love you, Morris"
S Meta saw her sister whom she had des
pissed for her timidity, and the lover sh
ID had thrown aside in his poverty, enter th
ID drawing room together, and her heart wa
II full of jealous anger as she read their score
in their happy faces.
rs She has been Mrs. Cooke for three year
81 the miserable wife of jealous mser
q whose sole aims in life are to save none,
Of and to keep his wife ont of society.
8 In their unhappy home there is constan
ar quarreling, while Morris blesses every hou
!, the temporary poverty that led him to az