The Press., 1885-02-26
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 UNDER A CLOUD.

Morris Tucker and his uncle sat at their cosy breakfast table one winter morning, each with copy of the morning. paper in his hand, each with a clou ded brow and troubled eye The elder gentleman was the first to speak
 ''it is bad business, Morris !!
 "A bad business, indeed, sir r
 Then there was another long silence, while each again read the ominous news of the failure of firm whose business was so involved with their own that the failure of one house was nearly utter rum to the other. The hot chops cooled on the dlsh, the coffee was untouched aud the break fast literally forgotton, when the gentle men left the house to ascertain the extent of their misfortunes. Bad as they feared these would prove, the realities were even worse than the anticipation, and before night the old firm of Tucker X Go. was on the list of failures
 There was dreary amount of hard, dis tasteful work to be done after the failure was an established fact; but Morris Tuck CT never hinched from any task or inter- view till night shadows fell, and he faced his uncle at the table once more. Then, with set features and pale face, he said :
 ''If you can spare me for an hour, sir, ] think | had better call onsMiss Cresswell. :" l sI can spare you, but are you wise to hurry an interview that, fear, will be very painful?'
 s'Better to understand my position at once, sir If-~" he moistened bis dry lip s here, as if the words choked him-s'lf Me- l ta Is true to me, will remain here and , try to work my way up again to the posi- tion l held only yesterday. If she frees me from my engagement, l accept your proposal 10 go to California.
 sI think it is good time to look up those old claims ;'' said MT. Tucker, slid ing easily over the first part of his neph- ew's speech i; ''there may be money in them !'
 s'We will see If do not go, we may be able to find some trusty messenger !!
 II am afraid you will go," his uncle said.
 'It may be. Miss oresswe Il is worldly woman."
 s'Meta is worldly woman Nay, let me speak, Morris I have said nothing before, though my heart was sore over your choice of wife. Meta is wonderfully fascinating, beautiful and accomplished as but few women are, but she is thoroughly heart less. l hoped your choice would fall or Clarice."
 ssClarice she is mere child P
 "Only two years younger than Meta. love her very dearly, Morris. "
 'sBut you are, fond of Meta Y
 'No For her fathers sake, the brother of my dead wife, I have tried to love Meta but she repels me r
 'sYet you never spoke when told you should seek to win her love-"
 "Because love is too sacred in my eyes for any one to interfere with it's expression If Meta loves you I will give her warn welcome and cordial affection when sht becomes your wife, Nor ris. But nerve yourself for the worst, my boy P
 Nerved for the worst, Morris Tucke sought his betrothed bride. From the time he had come from his western home, al orphaned lad of nineteen, to accept hi uncle's offer of home, he had met Met, Cresswell constantly. He had received , cordial welcome from her mother, and hat not suspected tue schemes and subtle in fuence that had led him on, step by step from the position of friend to that of ac his feet were bringing him slowly to the momentous interview after the failure 0 f which his uncle had made him full part her, Mrs Cresswell was schooling he daughter to meet the emergency. ''Did you write to Morris, Meta ?" sh :, asked langnidly stirring her coffee. / ssNot yet r was the reply. "He vii , probably call, being an honorable gentle p man. mamma
 "I hope you will be firm, Meta. Remem Der that you have been the injured part throughout. From the time your poo ! papa died I have had every reason to be . lieve MT. Tucker would make you an your sister the heiress of his property ; He worshipped your aunt, and he neve r spoke of any relatives of his own till thi D nephew appeared. l believe there wa r some quarrel between the brothers tha ], ended in the younger one going west - while John, the elder, remained here. A all events, it is very clear now that Morri : would have been heir to the business an property if this failure had not happened You are to be congratulated that 1t cam before the.wedding, insteadsof after.''
 Meta shrugged her shoulders.
 s'Yes Love in cottage is not m style r And while she spoke the bell rang and she knew her loyeriwas waiting to tes her cold, worldly heart. She sauntere while mp stairs iu..her cwns room her siste Clarice wept for the pain that was to ia upon Morris Truckers. heart.
 She had given John Tucker Etrue lov since she was mere baby and sat upo his knee, playing with hisf watch chair She had never thought of his money, m when Morris came she was only glad ths her dear old uncle, as she called him, wa was to have companion and friend.-- Sh had .Hever questioned her heart ahor Morris Tucker, rejoicing sincerely whe his engagement with Meta drew hlm int near I brotherly relations. with, hersel She respt csed his worth, his devotion { his nncie.; she admired his talents, his n, ble, frank beauty, ,and she grieved deep] over the sorrows so suddenly thrown int his life. Shyly as she had liked him, $ she crept:away tosweep for him. The u ter heartlessness that would throw hi aside Ill his trouble, was only comptroller slbse to her from knowing well how h. mother and sister worshipped wealth.
 She heard the iloar ef the drawing roo open unds her sisters clear voice say col ly:
 ''Good.evening, Mir. Tucker. You hav my best wishes for..ynur futuFe success.
 Then voice as cold and naughty al swered
 ''Thank you. have the honor to wis you good evening""
 The drawing room door closed and Ola ice could see Morris standing under Il Ehall 1am1o silant and nv;dantlv wiob;nor