Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-25
failure had not happened. You are to
be congratulated that it came before
the wedding, instead of after"

failure had not happeleu' lou ato w
be congratulated that it came before
the wedding, instead of after"
Meta shrugged her shoulders.
eyes! 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
drawlng-room, while upstairs in her
own room her sister Clarice wept for
the pain that was to fall upon Morris
fuckers heart.
She was a brown-eyed, golden-haired
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 atlllction 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 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 compan-
ion and friend. She had never ques-
TONED her heart about Morris Tucker,
rejoicing sincerely when his engage
ment 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 heartlessness that would throw
him aside in his trouble was only
comprehensive to her from knowing
well how her mother and sister wor-
shipped 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 fut ure
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
under the hall lamp, silent and eVi'
IDENTIFY wishing to recover somewhat
from the pain Of the trying interview
before going into the street. lie was
very pale, and the brightness that had
formed one of the greatest attractions
of his face was all stricken from it
The sad, pallld face conquered al
Clarice's shyness. With a sudden
irresistible impulse she glided dowr
the stairs and stood beside Morris. HI
did not hear the light foot fall upor
the thick carpet, nor see that he wa
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 hi
own, while Clarice said, in low voice
morris, l must tell you how sorry
feel for you and Uncle John"
"Thank you," he said, gravely, coy
ering the little white hand upon hi
arm with his own; 81 will tell m,
uncle what you say"
"Tell him." she said, earnestly
that he has no friend who loves hin
more truly than 1 do-no one VIII
feels more deeply any misfortune tha
can happen to him."
81 will carry your message. AM
will you wish me God-speed, toe
Clarice? ! shall sail for California il
few days"
The large, brown eyes dilated, Will
the sweet face grew white as snow
The blow was too sudden. With
out word or murmur Clarice fel
forward, fainting. Morris caught he
in his arms and carried her to the Ii
brary. 1t was dark there, and no on
saw the kiss he pressed upon the pal
lips before he put Clarice gently upo
the sofa and left her. He did NO
linger again in the hall. Snatchin
, his coat and hat hurrledly from tn
rack he strodc into the street an
walked rapidly homcward.
, Five years passed swiftly, and Met
Cresswell had altered little when, tiv
} years after her parting interview wit
, Morris Tucker, she stood in the wild
drawing-room of her mothers house
waiting to greet number of invite
guests. Time had matured he
beauty and taken nothing from he
} great attractions. Clarice, shy as evel
and pretty as a violet, stood near he
sister, while Mrs Cresswell, magnif
} cent in velvet and diamonds, spok
hurriedly:
"IIere is strange news, Meta. MI
Jarvis has asked permission to bring
, friend, and who do you suppose it is =?
81 cannot guess" said Meta, Ian
; guidly; some musical man, l suppose
as Mr.. Jarvis is so devoted to Euterpe.
mo; il is Morris Tucker! On, Meta
l am so glad you have not positivel
accepted young Cooke!'
81 thought you were very anxiou
to be m other-in-law to his 5000, 0,000?'
"But not since l have heard Nj
Jarvis news. My love. John Tucke
r had some land claims in Californi