The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-12-15

I
one son whom she had carefully trained an,
educated and he had become not only an hon
or to her, but to the community in which the.
lived. At present. he occupied a lucrative pc
sition in a banking house In the city /; return
ing home in the evening, he said, to be will
his mother, but appearance indicated that ;
moro potent attraction than even his devoted
la Egerton.
Ellis Lelan's name and reputation were moi
unknown to Luella Manesford. She had heard
him mentioned in terms of the highest respect
in business circles, and the first time she saw
him she decided that he was the personifica
tion of her IDEAL
But she had no opportunity Of cultivating
his acquaintance, for he seldom remained in
the city over night AT the time of the re-
moval of her cousins to the village, she was
there, and at once hit upon a plan whereby
she could accomplish her wishes. She impart
ed it to her mother, who was equally anxious
that her daughter should secure the young
banker, and so they rented their city resi-
dence and took up theirs for the nonce in the
vacant one opposite Mrs. Lelan's.
That lady, out of courtesy, called upon hei
new neighbors, and soon an intimacy, pleasing
to her as it was gratifying to the other party,
sprang up between them.
Luella had plenty of opportunities of see.
ing Ellis now but somehow the attractions
that told so powerfully ON the hearts of other
young men signally failed with him and il
was not long before she discovered the cause.
Failing to succeed in one way, she propos-
ed to change her tactics and try another. She
knew that poisoned arrows of jealousy were
the most effcctual weapons against the love
of two young hearts,
But in order to bend her bow successfully
she must be the intimate friend of Ellis Le-
easily accomplished now. Like her cousins,
she had entirely ignored the society of the
young people of the village, and it would be
rather awkward to proifer her friendship.
But Luella Manesford had very inventive
BRAIN and what she could not think of her
engaged to very eligible gentleman in the
city, to whom she was soon to be married, and
it was her desire that her favorite cousin
should make an equally brilliant match ut the
same time.
When Luella came to her with her dilemma
she said, "I'll tell you Lu. where there is the
most splendid place to flirt and make people
jealous, a country pic-nic. attended one
once, and know more than half the girls
were at outs with each other before the day
was over"
"But arn't they very common affairs ?"
"No indeed they are the most delightful
things imaginable. They are entirely free
and informal. You dress in the most capt-
waiting rustic style, and take your dinner in
baskets, and put it together on a long table,
or eat it Ill little squads under the trees. l
should prefer the latter if we get up one
We will get some of our friends in the city to
come out, and we will invite Mr. Lelan to
bring Miss Egerton and join our immediate
party. Then you can cultivate her acquaint-
ance, and flrt with him at the same time I'll
assure you we can get up something before
the day is over, to dampen her faith in her
lover, and make her feel that she had better
shake in her slippers for her safety in regard
to him."
Grace Allison was girl of no principle. -
Honor or dishonor were the same to her when
her plans were concerned. Luella declared
she was perfectly splendid.
"There is another girl, she said after a
pause "who, If / mistake not, could be
made very useful to us in this matter that is
Miss Lima Ashleigh. have observed that
she and Miss Egerton are almost inseperable.
have no doubt she is her confdante. From
her we might learn how far affairs have pro-
crossed with the lovers and discover which
wire to pull most successfully"
"But we can't We hav'nt even bowling
acquaintance with her" said Luella.
'.Not so fast mon annie ilatter myself
can read human nature little, and unless
read her very wrong, she is deceitful and sell
fish, and easily worked upon b. fiattery /; and
moreover, that she is trying to secure posi-
ton not only with the gems de condition, but
in ssse matrimonial In regard to the first,
she would be only too glad to be admitted in
to our society ; and if we will furnish her
with the latter she will no doubt be our will
ing ally"
"But who are we going to furnish her
with ? we wouldn't be willing for her to mar
nv any Of our friends or relatives"
"Of course not and they needn't. Cousin
Ned Eaton will be here in a few days.
"But he is -
"Never mind what he is; interrupted
Grace quietly "he will serve our purpose adj
mirably. We will invite Miss. Ashlcigh to the
picnic and he can be her escort he is per-
fectly splendid, and an inveterate fiirt. He
will manage it if we post him up"
Luella's laughing eyes grew large and lus-
trous. 81 see," she said, nodding knowingly.
81 am SO stupid never would have thought Of
it. You're capital and selling her cousin,
she whirled her around in waltz for a mo-
ment, then they sat down to arrange their
plans.
CHAPTER III.
Lima Ashleigh was endowed by nature with
graceful figure beautiful face, and refined