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

there was in the cellar before the gentle
man, and he supposed she would like the
same.
IT'LL tomorrow; / must be patient till
tomorrow" Darcy said to himself. "If
this mysterious spinster receives me then
ana gives me gracious audience / have
no doubt shall owe it to the good offices
of her adopted daughter. But-there is
still but-she may not view my conduct
in the same light as this sweet little
Carla."
He was musing dolefully over the pros
pect of having to return to London as poor
as he came, when the vicar reused him
from his reverie.
''As the ladies have left u.s." he said,
land neither you nor L care to sit over our
wine, what do you say to walking with me
to my house? | should like TO show you
those Runic inscriptions / mentioned. Be-
sides, l have an explanation to make to
ynu. at Miss Ensmore's request"
Very little attention did the wears an
Equities receive from Darcy now these
words were buzzing in his ears, and he
could scarcely control his Impotence till
The good but prolix old gentleman had
drawn a seat opposite his own, wiped his
glasses and uttered preliminary ''hem."
ut appears TO me, my dear Mr.. Darcy,
that you came TO Iy-lssa yesterday, labor
ing under an error.
''Indeedp' murmured his wondering
bearer
Eyes, you were under the impression
am not right?-that my highly respected
old friend, Miss Rachel EDsmore, was still
living, whereas she succumbed to an attack
of bronchitis last winter-seven months,
two weeks and three days ago."
why was / not told this?" demanded
Darcy vexedy. Il heard her spoken of in
the most affectioDate terms"
Eyes, yes, by Carla, her adopted
daughter, to whom she has bequeathed her
g,
keep the child and her aunt in comfort,
and the only conditions Of the bequest was
that Carla would wear no mourning and
assume her name, which. of course, she
has done. Now, my dear young friend ]
am commissioned to tell you by Miss Ems
more's heiress that the death OF your rela-
tive will not be allowed to interfere with
your plans. The sum you require will be
paid into Governs bank in your name and
if it is not sufficient you can draw again
for the same sum-"
Darcy looked steadily at Mr.. RodweI
Are you one of the trustees of the
property? Is 1t with your approval Miss
Carla is behaving so generously ?"
The vicar cOughed dOubtfully.
"She has been so urgent, that tit was
impossible TO refuse. 1t was my duty to
point out that the risk of your losing her
money was very great, and"
"And she," Darcy broke in, impetu
mean-spirited as to rob her to plow my
way to fortune at her eXpenseI Neverl
She is the sweetest and most generous of
girls. If ever come back to England a
rich man it shall be to ask her to be my
wife"
He dared not trust himself to ses Carla
again, but be stayed the night at the
vicarage, and slipped away at dawn Oh
the morrow, leaving in Carla's workbox
ring that had been his mothers, with the
word "Adieu" peneiled on the paper in
which it was folded.
Carla wept herself into headache when
she learned that lie was gone, and called
him cruel and hard-hearted, but only to
reproach herself afterward; and she would
often melt into tenderness the while and
say, as she pressed his gift to her lips, that
she esteemed him all the mure highly Tor
the pride and 'eif-respect that had
prompted his hasty departure.
She pored over the daily papers. and
carried about with her a brief note re-
ceived by MIR. ROdwell and signed darcy
E.. announcing his safe arrival in town.
and that he had a hope, through the
agency OF friend, of being selected to
take part in scientific voyage of three
years duration TO the groups of islands la
the Caribbean Sea.
Then she saw his name in the list of ex-
plorers about TO embark. and lastly, she
found a paragraph announcing the depart
ure of the vessel from Gravesend.
Carla dropped her head on her hands,
and her heart sank very low. How conld
she. an interloper at Ty-issa, be happy
while he. the true heir, was wanderer,
both ON land and sea? Dare she even hope
that he would sometimes think of her, and
kindly? or that he would understand how
difficult a task she had found it to apprise
him of Miss Ensmore's death, and the dis
position of her property?
la cana back-hut ynuld ha
she raised her head and dashed away
her tears, for some one had entered the
room. 1t was Darcy Ensmore, psler than
when last she saw him, but with the Iighs
of love in the eyes that fondly met hers
A little more sad and worn, but breathing
her name in accents that made her cheeks
glow with happy bushes.
my father is dead" he told her. 1.-THE
ship was under weigh when telegram re-
called me. he had been suddenly seized
with the mos, agonizing sufferings, and
was asking for me. My faithful friend
Johnston has helped Inc 10 nurse him, and
be died with his head on my breast"
Thank heaven" Darcy added, with
Quiyering lips. that | was not too late to
use my utmost endeavers to alleviate his
terrible pains! And that at the last 1t was
peaceW
There will be very quiet wedding at
Ty-issa when six months have run their
course, and Edgar Johnston has promised
to lay aside his books and journey into
Wales to be present az it. AS for Har-
ringtOn House IL has passed into other
hands, but Darcy has the satisfaction of
knowing that he employees of the huge es-
adjustment are under miider rule than
his father ever exercised, and Carla's
bridal bouquet will be free-will Offering
from the young girls who have been work
lug al her trousseau and feeling themselves
rewarded by her sweet smiles and gentle,
womanly praises of their efforts.-I. L. G.