The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-02

looks DOWN SeTenely Oh Tue ShoTH Weduo %
1t is beautiful tranquil September night.
Along the narrow iield-path Nora and Jack
stroll Slowly houseward arm-in-arm.
MY darling" said Jack-and at the words
a crimson rose color overSpreads the girfs
cheeks" have loved you all my life, even
when we were little things together! All
the time was away working and Shaving,
the one hope l had was TO win you, to make
home for you"
But you never wrote to me-" she OBJ
serves. :,
And until lately could not have written as
l wished"
They are near the green gate now, where
q tall thin man is waiting. Nora drops
Jacks arm, and the color in her cheeks
deepens.
MIR. Scrope! How YOU startled meP'
~ have returned" the poet says.
Nora confusedly performs the ceremony
of Introduction. Then all three 90 into the
house, and Mr. Scrope passes the evening in
detected attitude, his pale cheek resting
on his hand in manner meant TO suggest
heartbreGk.
The next morning Jack is smoking in a
quaint brown room at Tower Court, a bach
elor-like den with one great window looking
out on to the woods, which just now are
lovely with autumn foliage. He is dream
ing of Nora, as he has done for many day.
wien visitor in Tennysonian cloak and
A.
"Oh. Mr.. Scrope, how are you?" says Sir
John. after rather bewildering glance at
the esthetic young man.
You are surprised to see me, observes
the poet, whose face is paler than ever, his
lips looking like a thin faint line.
Well a little. Wont you sit down?
What jolly evening we had!'
Sir John, a most painful duty has
brought me here, and, before | sit down
must tell you what ! have to tell" Mr.
Serope says, mysteriOuSy.
Duty first, by all means. What is the
mstter?'
I understand that you are engaged to
Miss Nora Prescott"
That is So" admits Jack, looking more
interested. What atont it?"
Are YOU fully aware OF her antecedents p"
Jack lays down his cigar and looks stead
lily at his visitor. His ewes sparkle, and he
frowns; but he says nothing and the poet re-
SumeS:
DO you know that her father was charged
with forgery, and, thoush he was acquitted
on account OF insufficient evidence, most
people believe him guilty?'
II know that he aied protesting his limo
cence." replied Jack, land l have always
given him the benefit Of the doubt. May l
ask how you became acquainted with that
wretched old story? Miss Prescott herself
has never heard it, ard, please heaven, never
willr'
81 am only an obscure individual of lowly
birth and limited means, says ScTope, but
| loved. and still love, Nora. When | OBJ
tanned Mrs. Stamer's permission to seek her
niece for my wife, she-as in duty bound
told me the story"
WHY do you think she would treat me
less honorably? Why should she place less
confidence in NE than you?" Jack asks
coOlly and calmly.
Il could not believe Scrope declares,
that Il man of your wealth ana position.
bearer of an old name and the last of an old
race, would choose for his wife one on
whom the slightest shadow of disgrace
rested"
There is silence for few moments, during
which the poet, with arms folded, views his
rival, who turns to him at last, and without
the slightest appearance of anger, says:
Il have heart you; now hear me. If you
speak of this to any living soul again, will
make you wish you had been born dumb!
No one can breathe word against Nora
my beloved and hOnored wife that is to be,
and that's all L care for; but will not have
her panied, and wounded, and greved to
crafty your spite You poor, pitful,
creature, l have known about her father
since | was boy! The door and the win
dow are both ouen, and you can choose by
which TO 90 out1'
The poet yaniShes; and the season of
mists and mellow fruitfulneSs sees jack
fidelity rewarded, and Nora entering on
new and happy life with the best of her
iovers.-BoSton Herald.