The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-26


old shop"
~ always thought him quite clever" said
the wise mamma. But you girls never see
anybody's good qualities unless he has
money" :.
would be worth little coaXlng 10 marry
such fortune as his"
Eyes, but yesterday l saw him riding
with Emma Gray"
He told me about 1t, but l made him
think she was engaged TO Ned Winters"
"Indeed, That was we'll thought of. But
if he wants her he need only ask and she
will accept him instantly"
Mother and daughter were both anxious
to secure Jake now, and small, select
party was the way to encourage him. But
Jake followed strictly the instructions given
by Ned and Oscar, aud continued flirting
with three or four girls, till any one OF
them would gladly have become us W lie.
To Miss Lucy he was very polite, but con-
tinued a little reserved, until she almost
proposed to him, so fearful was she that
Emma Gray would go to Europe as his wife.
Two months had passed. and the men
were busy digging the cellar for DR.. Ryan
new house, when Jake, as If by accident,
drove that way with Lucy by his side He
drew up and spoke few words To the men,
as though he were giving directions about
something.
" How do you like the situat of my new
house?" he asked, as they passed on.
"Splrudid knoll for building on. ism it?"
it was DR.. BYan's."
g bought it of him, but am going to let
Oscar have it until L return from Europe.
what does Oscar want OF it?'
" He is going TO marry Mary White
81 had not heard of his engagement or
that you had bought this lot. Wont Emma
Gray have grand hOme| ann she looked
penSiVrIV into Jacks face,
8 " les, l shall try to make it beautiful.
But do you know WHO wish would share 1t
with me"
She gave a sudden start After all she
didn't want him to ask her to marry him.
am sure l don't know, she answered,
very demure!y.
"Weu, l would rather have Lucy Ross
than any lady l know of, but Sue doesn't
seem 20 care for me-"
He was not so very awkward after all,
and his way Of asking was quite up to the
ordinary laundering manner OF men on such
occasions. She blushed. hesitated and re-
manned silent. They had left the village
and we're riding leiSurely along shady,
quiet country road. His arm Stole very
gently around her waist; his face was close
10 hers. In almost whisper he sad man
fully:
Lucy, will you be my wife,"
The proud lips quiyered a little, the dark
eyes almost let fall the tears that shOre In
their depths and after a little pause she
laid her hand in his and promised to unite
her destiny with his own.
He was very rational even then, and only
kissed feTvently the rosy mouth now sacred
To his touch, then turned his horses heads
and drove home.
The same evening he reported to the
boys and they urged a speedy c0nsumma-
tion OF their plans.
Lucy at first requested a six months en-
III
of, as Jake's five hundred dollars would not
allow of such delay; so she agreed to be
ready in month, on condltl that they
started for Europe on their tour.
The boys were in ecstacieS. Everything
worked capi,ally, and their revenge would
be sweet.
In the meantime, JAKE was greatly i'm
proving, Somehow, his hard grinding lie
had made him careless, but recreation aud
fine clothes placed him on an equal footing
with other young men. He was Il great
reader, and now that he had nothing else 10
do. his mind showed rapid development.
Lucy was very proud of her flashing
diamond ring and the girls were not little
envious OF her good luck.
Great preparations followed for the we'd
ding and Emma Gray and Mary White, with
Ned Winters and Oscar Ryan, were the
walters. Surely never did wedding pass
off under fairer auspices The sun shone
=
the guests were on time; they made no
bluuder in the ceremony; AMI the bride
and her maids locked lovely. Jake, who had
been c0aXins mustAche Tor some time, lad
a foreign look, aud his suit, from patent
leather boots to white kid gloves. was
faultess. The whole fraud was So con-
ple.ely played tina, the boys almost repented
at the thought OF the awakening tia, must
follow.
Lucy's trunks were packed for the sea
voyage, and after three days they would
start. Up TO this time Jake was too madly
in love u realize what lie was doing; but
once married the farce WAS ended the boys
had their revenge, and he must meet the
consequences as best he cond. They i'm
mediately relieved him of his carriage and
ponies, ana when the day Tor starting came
he was forced t. tell his wife that be had
not hearu from his lawyer, and must post
pOne the trip. She was disappointed, but
submitted as graciously as possible. But
when Jake proposed going in the shop
again, she cried with veXatiOp, entreating
him not 10 degrade himself, 8nd threatening
to leave him II he did. But as time rolled
on, and no tidingS came from the lawyer,
the truth came out, and every body was
familiar with the stratagem practiced by the
boys to get Jake a wife. 1t was a good
joke they all said, and served Lucy right for
snubbIag everybody as she had done The
girls who had envied her fairly danced with
JOY at their own escape, and poor Jake,
robbed OF his hOn0rs, soon fell back into his
old laundering ways
Lucy never forgave the young people for
so deceiving her, but after two years of
poverty, the laugh turned again when the
old uncle, George Whitehead, came to the
village TO seek for his nephew. Jake. He
was quite feeble and old, but Jake gave him
warm welcome to his humble home, and
was rewarded by being sole heir to 500, 900
at his unce's death. This time 1t was no
sham. and after settling up his affairs he
took his wife to Europe, and over e CONT
nent they Travelled for two years, seeing
sights and improving themselves, till Lucy
was as proud OF her husband as she was
when she thought she was marrying for
tune.
After their return they bought DR.. Ryan's
house, and they became the leaders of the
little aristoeratic circle of Stratford.
Ned and Oscar never had quite the salts
ton they expected from their mad freak,
for Lucy entirely ignored their existence,
while she seemed decidedly happy and con-
tented as the wife of Jake Whitehead.