The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-11
AREVERSB OF FORTUNE.



nv new sphere of action, Mr. Fortescue.
OF course, you have heard? Syl tells you
everything, doesn't hep"
She smiled; she looked bright and happy,
the brave little thing, thought Jack.
al heard" he said, standing beside her,
very big and strong, land | was awfully
sorry to hear it. You are not fit for that
kind Of thing at all, 1t Is too hard for you.
"Oh. l don't know; l shall do my, best.
81 am sure of that, but II can't bear to
think of it. l came here to-day 10 tell you
how sorry l was; TO tell you, too, that |
would do anything to serve you; I'd work
for you with all my heart and strength"
She was bluShIng like rose now, yet
looking at him In shy wonder.
Il love you, Constance, as always have
done; as l shall do till my life goes out Of
me. l ask nothing in return, aud l only
tell you this that you may know that by
bidding me do aught for you you give Inc
perfect happiness. Pm not a rich man
would to heaven l were-but all that have
is yours; yes, my very life"
Constance turned away, her fair head
drOOping. How pretty she was! what
bright, sunny head it was! what a small
and dainty figure!
81 never believed in one-sided generos-
ity," she said, almost inaudiblY, after long
pause.
Il don't understand you," said Jack,
"You say you will do anything for me,
but you ask no return: don't you want any
thiDg?"
Constance, do you mean it? You dear,
blessed little angel that you are! Is 1t pos
slble that you love me?"
"Ah, Jack" she answered, from the shell
ter OF his arms, you might have known
that long ago. But you were so blind, and
You ANGEL My angel, you have made
me the happeSt fellow living. I'll work Tor
you with all my might, and, whether we are
rich or poor, l am sure we shall be huppy.
Heaven bless you, Constance, for your
words, and your sweet, generous love! You
have made a man of me, that you have"
a pause here, at the end of which the
lovers remembered the eXisten &c of other
people, notably that of Miss ScallOw's papa.
Il shall 20 and see him at once" said
Jack, "uni then, my love, We'll talk about
the future"
Knowing the ways Of the house, Jack
crossed the hall, going into Mr.. Scallow's
private room, wherein that gentleman sat
reading commercial! papers.
An, that is you, Jack, is it?" he said,
nOdding kindly to the young man; you
are looking very well. Evidently you have
not invested in this miserable Agnes Mine.
Its failure will bring ruin to many"
80 / believe, sir. Ii is very melancholy"
1t Is that, Jack. l suppose you want
Syl? ! fancy he Is IN the billard-roUm."
Il want you, sir, first, if you will be good
enough to give me few moments"
Certainly" said Mr.. Scallow. putting
down his paper he was very fond Of mis-
only son, and of his only sons friends.
My prospects are little better" began
Jack, with dithdence; that is, l have got
brief OF two, and the promise of others;
also. my literary work IS increasing, and
the pay IN proportion"
81 am very glad to hear it," said Mr..
Scallow, heartily; mot to flatter, you de-
serve to succeed, Jack. The only way to
beat bad luck Is to tire it out, you know"
Il don't think you would despise man
for poverty? ?"
Scarcely, Jack, as / rose from the ranks
myself. But l suppose all this is the
preface to something. Give me the book
now"
And then Jack confessed his love. to the
evident amaze of the banker, who leaned
back in his chair, staring, and perhaps
little annoyed.
MAY ask If you have spoken to Con-
stance?" he said, when Jack came to an in
coherent end. You have? Don't you
think you should have come to me frst?"
mo, sir, l don't. Because If she re-
fused, your consent would not help me-"
and vice versa, my friendY' asked Mr..
Scallow, with an involuntary smile at
Jacks naiyete; then be shot a sudden very
searching glance at the handsome face of
The young sutton.
"Of course" he said, rising and standing
easily with his hands behind him, "of
course you know that my daughter will
have a large fortune? Now, do not fire up
and tell me you don't care about the money !;
L know that perfectly. l am not insinu-
atIng anything to the contrary"
My dear Mr.. Scallow," hastily inter-
posed Jack, before you go any further let
me tell you that | am aware of your re-
VERSE of fortune. If l had not known it
should not have dared speak to Constance
yet, at least"
My reverse Of fortune? What are YOU
talking abOut?"
Il heard it yesterday" said Jack, gently.
You heard what? Do speak out, For
Lescuep'
"Why, heard that the bank was about
to suspend payment-on good authority"
Mr.. Scallow Redeemed angrily, then he
burst into hearty peal of laughter.
Your good authority must have been
walking in his sleep, Jack! Tell me next
that there's man in possession at Wind
"Or. Who on earth has been hoaxing you,
my dear boy? Who told yOu?"
Travis Daunley," said Jack, rather
CURLY; and Mr.. Scallow thought Of the P
P. c. card.
Indeed! And how did he know it?"
81" He said Sylvester had told him; he GER
tainly believed it, said Jack, looking hot
and angry. "a nice tumble 1 have made if
it isn't trueW
MIR. ScallOw laughed more heartily than
ever.
81 can't fail. even to oblige you." he
=
il might have done me some harm"
be rang the bell and babe the servant
send Mr.. Sylvester to him. Presently that
youth appeared equipped for tennis.
Now, Sylvester, what is the meaning Of
this?' his father demanded without pre-
face. " How dare you to attempt to dam
age my credit? What do you mean by
spreading false reports about your father pr
Well, l like that?' cried Syl, indignant
ly; who accuses me Of such thing?"
clark EprtpcPun fol Il,
that was about to smash"
He certainly said p cried Jack. "Oh.
you may stare, Syl, but he didl He de-
clared you had told him so. l met him ons
day-yesterday, In fact, and he asked me to
lunch with him"
Come, Jack, don't embellish. L can't
swallow chat"
We'll, L swallowed the lunch" said
Jack, sayagely, :" and he assured me that
you had told him your father was ruined
and Constance was going out as a gov
Here Sylvester burst into a perfect yell
OF laughter, dancing round the room in
ecstasy. and making it ring with his mirth
On, this is too rlch!" he exclaimed,
gasping, ana wiping his eyes. {" BY Jove.
i is immense and no mistake about iii
Quelle aluuette! as the French say. Hal
"! ha! Hol no! never laughed so much
IN my life, L believe. That's why he went
off, leaving Con all forlorn. Oh, by
eredulousP
when you have finished shouting, SyI-
Vester, perhaps you will enlighten me, -
said Mr. Scallow, with severe dignity, Which
had the effect of sending Syl into a fresh
paroxysm.
IS L can't help it, father. must laugh! III
buy glass case for that old hat Of mine.
Jack, my friend, hold me up whilst / con-
fess. Yesterday | was out bicycling, and
Just In the High street got a most
tremendous spill, rolled in the dust, smashed
the machine, and generally came to grief
mad Just picked myself up, when Daunley
came along half blind as usual, and took me
awful dignity of his face when | shook
hands with him was killingl | couldn'i
help saying what did. to account for NY
forlorn condition, but l never thought he
lunch out of him on the strength OF it
thanksgiving feast no Doubt Wont make
all Idleminster scream? Hal hal hap