The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-11
CHAPTER l.

chair up to the fire and was setting him.
self in an easy attitude for the enjoyment
of a cigar. when some one ran up the
stairs and raped at the door of his CHAM
Der.
''Oh, bother" muttered the weary STU
dent, what fool can that be? If were
sure my light does not show through the
cracks of the panels I'd refuse to hear him.
Anyhow he may knock again"
This the unwelcome visitor did speedily.
and with an Impotence that drew forth
another growl OF annoyance:
Yes. of course you'll give me q o peace
until do answer. Who are you? Some
bore or other. come to poster me with one
of those silly affairs of right of way, or a
Quarrel with a neighbour. that makes one
marvel how men can be such tools as to
plunge into litigation. There be is again:
does he want to wake up every one in the
buiding?"
But now the summons was accompanied
by verbal appeal for admittance.
Johnston! Wake up, old fellow, and
let me i'm
darcy Ensmore, by Jovep' exclaimed
the barrister, hurryIng to the door '.What
news does he bring? They were to bury
his uncle this afternoon. There was a
L
told me so. Surely"
By this time Darcy Ensmore, a tall, gen.
tlemanly young man, whose skin was
bronzed with years of travel In the East,
was IN the room, and glance into his
sOmber face revealed that whatever the
affair might be that brought him to Temple
Court al so late an hour. it was not a
pleasant one.
He threw himself into the chair pushed
toward him, and accepting cigar, sat for
some minutes putting at it and staring
modify into the fire; his friend sitting
opposite him and waiting with patience
till. with a bitter laugh, Darcy broke the
silence.
We'll. here 1 am, homeless and penni-
less! VIII you give me bed on your
hearth-rug tonight? Will you tell me
where l can get the best price for my
watch and chain. the only valuable articles
/ have about me?"
Hash your uncle's willsbeen found ?"
"Yes, and read aloud to my father and
me a couple of hours ago. 1t was short
and simple enough, heaven knows. There
were requests to old Michel, the faithful
servant who accompanied him on his
travels. and few poor old folks to whom
he had been in the habi. of making an al
lowance: his books and pictures to my
father"
But the bulk of his property" was
eagerly demanded.
us to be given to the town where be
was born for the founding of a museum"
And you whom he educated and treated
as son. what is there for you?"
Nothing; but hear me out before you
reviie the memory of the dear old man.
He speaks of me with the tenderest affec-
ton and explains that he should have
made me his heir but for being aware that
il is in my fathers power to amply provide
for me; knowing this. he felt at liberty to
carry out his lOng-formed scheme, feeling
sure that should not misunderstood his
motives"
go on" said the barriser, anxiously.
at is quite true that MIR. Ensmore as the
head of such fiourishing concern as the
Harrington House can afford to give his
son an excellent income without any help
from your mothers relatives. Where is
the bitch? perceive that there has been
one. Does your father resent the terms of
the will? L know that he has always
sDeered at Mr.. Vernon's pursuits"
LAS he does still. He says twas against
his better judgment that he allowed me to
share my uncle's wanderings abroad"
After you had worked so hard at COL
lege that your health failed? But when
the doctor advised change Mr.. Ensmore
readily consented to il. Does he forget
that? What Dext?"
MY father informs me that it has re-
suited in my iDbibing tastes and habits
that are not his"
II should hope not" said Edgar
Johnston under his breath. He bad a
business. who never permitted any one to
be in the right but himself, and was as
harsh to his son as he had been to Darcy's
meek. unoffending mother.
what next?" echoed the young man
YEARLY. ITS no use repeating his COM
ments on Uncle Wits passion for scien-
tific research, nor my efforts to make him
see that man may do as much or more in
that way for his generation than by selling
useless finery to frivolous women. OF
q - m nm &c min fE.f I'D ~
and brought matters to a climax. This is
my fathers ultimatum: l am an idler.
de despises idlers and il Is time / re-
lieved him of some of his RESPONSE utilities.
To do this must obtain a thorough
knowledge of the business in all its
branches. When | asked what this meant
he explained that he should expect me to
go behind the counter for a year or two
then into the counting-house, after which
/ should receive small share in the bust
ness, and eventually partnership. Can
you fancy me measuring YARDS of calico
or expatlating on dress lengths as sweetly
pretty and the newest styie?"
You might do worse, of course. But
your father cannot be serious, Darcy. Not
long since he talked of selling the concern
and retiring TO the coantry-house he
bought some years since. Why not per-
suade him to DO this and let you follow the
bent of your lnclinaiions ?"
Was my father ever Welding enough to
be persuaded" asked Darcy bitterly I'm
my boyhoOd he ruled me with rod of iron.
1t was blessed change to be under the
more gentle guidance of my uncle. have
argued, reasoned, entreated and all TO mn
purpose. 1t is not because it is necessary
My father frankly tells NE that he has
several men in his employ who could
serve him better than /. Because he wills
it must submit cannot"
''And the result is that you have quar-
relied. You are such a hot-tempered fel-
low. Darcy!"
''Perhaps so, but l controlled myself
sufficiently not to say anything disrespect-
full"
''Mr Ensmore will take another view of
the position after sleeping on it," said
Edgar Johnston consolngly, land come to
terms with you. He must. when cooler,
acknowledge that he is unreason able"
Never My father prides himself on
his decisions being irreyocable. He held
stay, but remember if did the latter be
should demand implicit obedience. Not