The Placer herald., 1871-11-11

q" DO just as you prefer; but l think your
father would give you new one it you
wished it,, said her mother.
Lena purchased the new dress, and had it
made up without regard te expense, and it
was exquisite when done and extremely be-
coming to the young lady, who had been
congratulating herself On the success she was
determined to achieve.
Berthas dress came from the mantua-
makers hands as beautiful as it could be,
and none would even have suspected that
it had already been thrice worn, unless she
had been seen with it on. 1t harmonzed
admirably with her fair, blonde complexion,
forming vivid contrast to Lena's more bril-
liant style of personal attractivepess, and
bright orange colored robe,
The day previous to the ball, Clara Aims
ley called, sister of Hugh Ainsley, who
was the fixed, central star, around which the
feminine luminaries had ambitiously beamed
for the last two seasons, each fondly hoping
to be the finally favored one.
But, to the secret chagrn Of each, he still
maintained the same quiet courtliness of
manner towards them all. He seemed quite
as indifferent to their heart affairs, as he
would have have been to the pyramids of
Egypt. This was the gentleman Lena
was bending all her energies to ensnare and
bring to her feet, before the present season
closed.
Clara was an intimate friend of both the
girls, and she was invited upstairs to see
the dresses. which had just been sent home.
Their beauty she warmly expatiated on, but
Lena would not allow her to leave until she
had told her of Berthas Wonderful fit of
economy, and laughingly said she would
take her opera glass with her to the ball,
that she might descry some interesting, poor
young gentleman, with whom she knew her
sister must have secret understanding, and
for whose benefit she was carrying out this
whim of prudence.
The combined entreaties of all the trio
could not induce Mr.. Georgy to accompany
them to Mrs, I.angdon's He pleaded a
headache aud fatigue, This was a cover to
becoming daily more cntapgled, by means of
several heavy failures of parties owing him
to great extent, and all he could see before
him was ruin and disgrace, but he would
keep his forebodings to himself until after
the .tetc was over, when, if ho found no
means of extrcating himself, he would make
clean breast of the whole thing to them.
Hugh Ainsley was quite attentive to Miss
Lena that night, who looked quite queeny
in the gay throng, and lis attentions were
received with deep satisfaction to herself
Nor was the not less interesting Bertha, who
had laid no scige to him, overlooked.
He inquired at once where her father was
as he had not seen him there. To her reply
that he had resisted all entreaty TO come,
from great fatigue, lie uttered a prolonged
"Ah," and fell into reverie
Hugh was thinking of the vague report he
had heard on Wall street that morning,
that the commercial house of Georgy & Co.
was fast tottering towards bankruptcy.
The next morning, at an early hour, Hugh
called at Mr.. Georgy's counting room, and
offered him loans to any amount, to help him
through the financial crisis that was upon
him. Mr.. Georgy had done the same thing
years before for Hugh's father, and he (Hugh)
kindly pressed the favor back upon him,
which was accepted with tears of gratitude
in the eyes of the panic-stricken merchant.
AS Clara and Hugh sat at dinner the next
day after the ball, discussing the cos
tunes brought out there, she related what
Lena had told her of Berthas streak of
economy,
els that so, Clara ?" he asked. "Was
she so sacrificing as that? But she looked
as sweet as a rosebud in her dress, if it had
been worn three times" Then he told her
in confidence, of the state of Mr.. Georgy's
affairs, and the reason which had probably
deferred Bertha from the outlay for new
dress. "She is a noble girl, Clara, and I'm
afraid we couldn't number many like her
amongst the gay assembly at Mrs. Lang
don's. Surely all is not gold that shines. "
A week after this the footman at Mr.
Georgy's brought a card to the parlor for
"Miss Bertha, and the gentleman is waiting
below in the drawing -room."
Bertha glanced at the card, and saw Hugh
Ainsley inscribed thereon.
"Did you say this was for me, John? "
she asked, thinking it must have been in
tended for Lena.
"Yes, ma'am. He said Miss Bertha
replied the servant.
Lena pouted at this; she thought he had
made mistake, and an angry frown clouded
her face as Bertha descended to the drawing
room.
"Was it you wished to see, Mr., Aims
ley?" she asked, after salutng him.
cit was you yourself Why? Permit
me to inquire"
81 thought it might be one of John's
blunders, and that sister Lena was the one
desired" said Bertha.
"No, Miss Bertha, it. was you, with
whom ! have special business" he said, at
the same time watching the enlargement of
her blue eyes when he said business
"For several years, Miss Bertha, have
been searching the circle Of my acquaintance
for noble, true-hearted woman to ask to
become my wife. ] have just been fortunate
enough to find her, and have now come to