The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-15

singer, remain upon the stage until she
should reach 2S years. and not marry before
that time. These conditions she was obliged
10 fulfill.
Her love for her American betrothed was
intense and beautiful, but this, with her
physical beauty, her voice and her fortune,
was all. Quite enough. you may say; but
Tom was beginning.to feel deeply her want
of high principal and intellect. lie was
quite ignorant of her inherited fortune, as
she took care that every one but herself and
her lawyer should be.
Thus at the age of 80 he looked with
almost indifference upon the object OF his
infatuation at fye-aud-twenty, and cast
about for some pretext for releasing himself
from the engagement; but consciousness Of
Stella's intense love for him restrained him,
and he had too much humanity to pursue a
course which he knew would break hes
heart.
The winter at home had shown him still
more plainly that he had been mistake n.
His desires and hopes seemed now to cen ter
in the parsonage and Mamie Burns. Take
his fathers placel he felts he must do, but
his wears of grace were about over, and the
thought OF bringing Stella TO Glencove was
horrid. An Italian public singer the wife
of New England minister How inappro-
pirate! Then, too, II Stella was devoted TO
him she had a mind of her own, and idOliZ'd
her heart next to her lover. She would
prOba blylluSIst upon remaining on the stage.
His mind had been disturbed with these
reflections for some months when he re-
ceived a letter from Stella, written In fee
BILE hand. and begging him to come TO
Venice. She was in that city and very Ill !;
her life but the question OF few weeks; if
they were ever 10 be married, size begged
that he would comenow This letter be had
received on the spring morning OF which L
spoke, and was meditatlng upon lis con-
tents.
Poor girl" he thought, 81 am poor
good for nothing if cannot return such de-
votion. / will go TO Italy: if she is living |
will marry her and bring her back 10 health
and strength, and she shall never dream OF
the sacrifice / make"
He could not trust himself to see Mamie,
but left Glencove at once.
AS soon as the journey could be accom-
plished Tom was i'll Venice, and at Stella's
hotel.
The lady is much too i'll to know any one
now, but the last time she spoke was to call
for you," said the attendant.
He desired TO be conducted TO her at once.
AS he stood by her bedside, behOlding the
fading shadow of her once proud beauty, a
love greater than he had ever known for
her moved his heart, and as he whispered,
MY wife, Stelai" her eyelds lifted, and
her eyes rested on his face in a loving gaze
of recognition.
She spoke no word for some moments {;
but as Tom administered stimulant her
strength rallied; she mt naged TO speak
peace died fTom her face for moment and
she said:
''Shall l die so soon. my darling? The
hateful waiting OF years had passed; / had
sung before the world for the last time.
had learned your language with much labor.
and would have given my voice to your fire.
side and your church; but you did not come
in time"
The disappointment passed out of her
poor, pale face then, and she closed her
iaar sra1Y f.saK,,
was TO whisper:
But you would have come by-and-by.
would you not. dearest? The curtain"
Yes the curtain had fallen on her life.
and Tom was spared the need of answering
that question.
A breath of sweetness from the exotics in
the window floated out upon the air, and
with 1t Stella's spirit rose beyond the sunlit
SKY.
Poor Stella had bequeaJhed all her wealth
10 her promised husband with the wish
that if ever he should find another woman
who loved him as she had done he should
marry her
"In heaven" the strange will read,
there is neither marriage nor giving in
marriage, and / shall love that woman there
! if she has loved him truly on earth"
Grant remained for few weeks in Italy,
and then returned to Glencoye. wiser and
more thoughtful Of the loving heart grown
cold
No years pdS>e1 Dy, anu a0Otner grave
had grown green by his mothers. Tom
was established over his fathers people,
leading them by a freer, brighter road 10
the same shore 10 which the "old parsOn"
had pointed them.
\ soft May day was diving when Tom
walked over TO Mamie Burns house aud
told her the story of the little worn shoe.
Nay / try il on, and If it fits will you
be Cinderella?" lie asked at length. holding
it up.
Mamie took from an oil cabinet its fellow
and gave il to him, saying with a smile:
= GU may try them BOTH
They suited her little feet as we'll as they
had done al Is. and she stood up and looked
laughingly down at the odd little high
lows"
As ! gu are Cinderella" said the parson.
yes"
cinderella married her prince"
" will marry mine"
So much good luck" did the little worn
shoe bring Thomas Grant.-Carrie Young.