The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1873-01-25

to Mrs. Iangdon's. lie pleaded a headache
and fatigue. This was cover TO the real
reason. His business affairs were daily be.
coming more entangled, by means OF several
heavy failures Of parties owing him to a
great extent, and all he could see before
him was ruin and disgrace, but he would
keep his forebodings to himself until after
the fete was over, when, if he found no
means Of extricating himself, he would make
clean breast OF the whole thing to them.
Hugh Ainsley was very attentive to Lena
that night. who looked very queenly in the
gay throng, and his attentions were received
with deep satisfaction to herself. Nor was
the less interested Bertha, who had laid no
siege 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, he uttered 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 Gregory &
Co., was fast tottering towards bankruptcy.
The next morning, at an early hour, Hugh
called at MIR. Gregorys counting-house, and
offered him loans to any amount to help
him through the crisis that was upon him.
Gregory had done the same deed, years be-
n
fore, for Hughs 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 Berthats streak Of
economy. Te
"Is that so, Clara po he asked. aWas
she as sefsacrifcing as that? But she
looked as sweet as rosebud in her dress,
ii it had been worn three times" Then he
told her in confidence, Of the real state of
Mr.. Grcgory's affairs, aud the reason which
had probably deferred Bertha from the out
lay for new dress. "She is a noble girl,
Clara, and I'm afraid we couldn't number
many like her amongst that gay assembly at
Mrs. Langdon's. Surely all is not gold
that Shines"
A week after this, tile footman at the
Gregorys' brought a card up to the parlor
for Miss Bertha, and the gentleman is
waiting below in the drawing room.n
Bertha glanced at the card, and saw
"lIugh Ainsley" inscribed thereon.
"Did you say this was for me, John ?"
she asked thinking it must have been in
tended for Lena. a
YES ma'am. He said Miss Bertha, "
replied the servant, 4I
Lena pouted at this she had thought he
had made mistake. and an angry irown
clouded her face as Bertha descended to the
"Was it you wished to see, MIR. Aims
leyf" she asked, after saluting him.
1T was yourself Whys permit me to
inquire"
Il thought it might be one Of Johns
and that sister Lena was the one
desired said Bertha.
"No, Miss Bertha it was you with whom
| have special business at the same time
the sudden enlargement Of her
blue eyes when he said business.
"For several years, Miss Bertha | have
been searching in the circle Of my acquaint
ances for noble, true,hearted woman, to
ask to become my wife. have just been
fortunate enough to find her, and have now
come to ask her il she will bear my name,
and ask her il she will bear with me my
earthly lot. Bertha, you are the chosen
one, and my hearts best, purest affection
lay at your feet. Win you answer me iyes?
"Give me time to think, please, it is SO
sudden she stammered, covering her face
with her hands to conceal her bushes.
"YOu shall have three whole months to
consider the subject; then | shall demand
an unconditional answer" said Hugh, draw
ing the hands from her face, and pressing
them to his lips.
In three months Bertha decided to say
+yes," and their engagement was announced
to the gay world. Another three months
and the gay world was invited to their pub
lie wedding, in church. After much coax
ing, Lena was prevailed upon to be Bertha's
bridesmaid, but it was bitter disappoint-
ment to stand in that place, instead Of next
to tile groom.
In after years she learned that Bertha's
90ld Ball Dress" had turned the scale in
favor Of her, and won Hugh Ainsley. He
reasoned that the daughter who would sacri-
flee her o@n desires for the sake of lessen,
ing the burden weighing upon the shoulders
of her father, could not fail to make true
20 L