The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-11-24

Lena purcnaseu the new dress, and
had it made up without regard to ex-
pense, and it was exquisite when done,
and extremely becoming TO the young
lady, who had been oongratulating
herself on the success she was deter
mined to achieve.
Bertha's dress came from the man
tua- makers hands rs beautiful as could
be, and none would have suspected it
had already thrice been worn, unless
she had been seen with IL on. 1t har-
monzed admirably with her fair,
blonde complexion, forming vivid
contrast to Lena's more brilliant style
of personal attractiveness, and bright,
orange-co colored robe.
The day previous TO the ball, Clara
Ainsley called, sister of Hugh Aims
ley, who was the fixed, central star,
around which the feminine luminaries
had ambitiously beamed for the last
two seasons. each fondly hoping to he
the finally favored one. But, to the
secret chagrin OF each. he still main
tanned the same quiet courtliness ot
manner towards thcmall. He seem
cd quite rs indifferent TO their heart ai.
fairs as he would havebeen to the
pyriinids 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 IN intimate friend of both
the girls, and she was invited up stairs
TO see the dresses, which had just been
sent home. Their beauty she warmly
expatiated upon, but Lena would not
allow her to leave until she had told
her Of Bcrtha's wonderful lii of econ.
omy, and laughingly said she should
certainly y take her opera glasses with
her TO the ball, that she might descry
some interesting, poor young gentle
man, with whom she knew her sister
must have secret understanding, and
for whose benefit she was carrying out
this whim of prudence.
The combined entrcatics of all the
trio could not induce Mr.. Gregory To
accompany them to Mrs. Langdon's. ).
lie pleaded headache and fatigue.
This was cover to the real reason.
His business affairs were daily becom-
ing more entangled, by means of sev.
er:il heavy failures of parties owing
him To great extent, and all he could
see before him was ruin aud disgrace,
but he would keep his forcbodings TO
himself until after the .fste Was over,
when, if he found no means of extri-
eating himself, he would make clean
breast of the whole thing to them.
Hugh Ainslcy was quite attentive
to Miss Lena that night, who looked
very queenly i'll the gay throng, and
his attentions were received with deep
satisfaction to herself. Nor was the
less Interested Bertha, who had laid
no seige 10 him, overlooked.
He inquired at once where her faith
cr was, as he had not seen him there.
To her reply that he had resisted all
entreaty TO come. from great fatigue,
he uttered prolonged "Ah," and fell
into rcycrie.
Hugh was thinking of the vague re-
port he had heard on Wall street,
that morning, that the Commercial
House of Gregory & Co. was fast
tottering toward bankruptcy.
The next morning, at an early hour
Hugh called At MIR. Gregory's count.
ing house, and offered him great loans
to any amount, to help him through
the financial crisis that was upon him
Mr.. Gregory had done the same deed
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 oi
the panic stricken merchant.
AS Clara and Hugh sat at dinner
the next day after the ball, discussing
the costumes brought out there, she
related what Lena had told her OF
Bertha's streak Of economy.
rs that so, Clara!" he asked
"Was she so sclfsacrificing as that p
But she looked as sweet as a rose-b bud
in her dress, if it had been worn three
times" Then he told her, in conf
dence, of the state of Mr.. Gregory.
affairs, and the reason which had prob
ably deferred Bertha from the outlay
of new dress. "She is a noble girl
Clara, and I'm afraid we couldn't
number many like her amongst tha,
gay assembly at Mrs. Langdon's.-
Surely all is not gold that glitters'"
A week after this, the footman a,
the Gregory's brought card up tc
the parlor for Miss Miss Bertha, and
the gentleman is waiting below in
the drawing-room."
Bertha glanced at the card and saw
the name of ''lIugh Ainsley" incribed
thereon.
''Did you say this was for me
John p she asked, thinking it mus,
have been intended for Lena.
"Yes man," he said Miss Bertha.
replied the servant.
Lena ponted at this; she haG
thought he had made mistake, and al
angry frown clouded her face as Ber
tina descended to the drawing-room
"Was it | you wished to see, Mr.
Ainsley?' she asked, after salutine
| him.
ut was you, yourself. Why? per
NIT me to inquire"
II thought it might be one of john
blunders, and that sister Lena was tn,
one desired" said Bertha.
"No, Miss Bertha, it was you, will
whom / have special business" ht
said at the same time watching tn,
sudden enlargement of her blue eye
when he said "business."
eFor several years, Miss Bertha
I've been searching in the circle of my
acquaintance for a noble, true-heartee
woman, to ask to become my wife.
have just been fortunate enough t.
find her, and have now come to ash