The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-02-26

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
drawing-room. while upstairs in her
own room her sister Clarice wept for
the pain that was to fall upon Morris
fuckers heart.
She was 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 aflliction 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 whom 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 future
success"
Then voice as cold and naughty
answered:
Thank you. I 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 evil
IDENTIFY wishing to recover somewhat
from the pain of the trying interview
before going into the street. He was
very pale, and the brightness that had
I formed one of the greatest attractions
of his face was all stricken from it.
The sad, pallld face conquered all
Clarices 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 carpet, 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, must tell you how sorry I
feel for you and Uncle John"
"Thank you," he said, gravely, cov-
ering the little white hand upon his
arm with his own; Il will tell my
uncle what you say"
"Tell him." she said, earnestly,
that he has no friend who loves him
more truly than Go--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,
Clarice? shall sail for California in
few days"
The large, brown eyes dilated, while
the sweet face grew white as snow
Inc UlOW Ndo IoO ouuuCu' W hllu-
out word or murmur Clarice fell
forward, fainting. Morris caught her
in his arms and carried her to the IL
Drary. 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 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 number of invited
guests. Time had matured her
beauty and taken nothing from her
great attractions. Clarice, shy as ever,
and pretty as violet, stood near her
sister, while Mrs. Cresswell, magnifi-
cent in velvet and diamonds, spoke
hurriedly:
Here is strange news, Meta. Mr..
Jarvis has asked permission to bring a
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; it is Morris Tucker! On, Meta
1 am so glad you have not positively
accepted young Cooke!'
81 thought you were very anxious
. to be m other-in-law to his 5000, ,000?"
"But not since l have heard Mr..
Jarvis news. My love, John Tucker
; had some land claims in California
, that Morris hunted up and sold for