The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-11-24
LOaning a Lover.

My sister Patricia was an heiress. Strange
enough, for we had always been terribly poor
down at Lowbrdge, my widowed mother
bringing up her four daughters with the
greatest difficulty; but when brought up, we
were worth looking at, l believe. Healthy
habits and frugal living are apt to make good
conditions, and Bess and Amy and Patricia
and were as bright and handsome girls as
are often seen.
Bess and Amy were twins, with eyes as
blue as the sea near which we were born,
rosy cheeks and long, light brown curls
Patricia was sparkling brunette, while /
was as perfect blonde, with crinkled hair.
like molten gold. Great had been our ex-
element when Aunt Betty wrote from Fair
haven:
''Dear Sister.in-Law: am going to do my
self the pleasure of visiting you this summer.
hear that brother Abel left four four girls
and want to see them. am getting on in
years, and will make one of them my heir
ess," etc.
Aunt Betty of Fairhaven, was worth a
hundred thousand dollars if she was worth
cent.
Well, in due time she came. She put up
at the hotel, for our cottage at Lewbridge
wasn't big enough to hold her, With her maid,
coachman and carriage; but fortunately that
was close by, and she spent the larger half of
three days with us.
We all thought Bess would be her choice,
for father had named her Elizabeth for Aunt
Betty, though she had always been 'Bess,'
with us; but it was not either of the twins,
and it was not lit was Patricia.
where did that girl get her black hair? ?"
Aunt Betty asked as soon as she saw her.
81 think she looks like my brother Luke,
don't you ~ asked the mother, with visit
full look.
"The very image of him." answered Aunt
Betty, turning pale.
OWNED then as learned afterward, that
Uncle Luke had been lover of Aunt Betty's
when both were young, before her marriage,
and the fact seemed to have power over
her.
She looked at Patricia until the girl
blushed rosy red and would have slipped out
OF the room, when she called her to her and,
drawing her down upon her knees on a foot
stool before her, she put withered hand
each side OF the warm cheek, and said warm
".
my dear, you shall be my heiress."
So it was Patricia she chose to leave her
money to; but we were not left out in the
cold, for she sent the twins, who were only
sixteen, to a convent school for two wears.
and invited me, with Patricia, to the Her.
mitage.
1t was her home-a stately old mansion of
gray stone, gloomy looking on the outside, but
luxuriously comfortable and beautiful within,
not being in the least modern. We had each
maid and the free use of the horse and car
riage. After making this provision for our
comfort, Aunt Betty excused herself from
making company of us, and we were free to
enjoy ourselves as we chose, provided we
did not interfere with her maps. We chose
to make great many pleasant acquaintance
guided conscientiously by Aunt Bettys
wishes, and the result was that I returned to
Lowbridge in the summer engaged to Mr..
Clyde SherringtoH. He was wealthy, hand
some, agreeable, well-connected. Everybody
SAID that Gertrude has done well for her
SELF"
That autumn Aunt Betty died. Patricia
was to come in possession of her fortune in
year, when she was twenty-one-full and un-
disputed possession of one hundred thousand
dollars.
1t was arranged that we were all to come
to the Hermitage to live. We did SO, and
had lived there quietly enough, as was be-
coming, for nearly year, when Patricia
made the acquaintance of Mr.. Gage Red
mond.
She met him first at funeral-of all
places 1.-The occasion caused by the death OF
our next neighbor, Gen. De Lacy, Gage
Redmond being neighbor of his. He was
well connected but as poor as church.
mouse people said, $50 of course he was after
Patricia's fortune" mamma declared.
Patricia is rich and beautiful. Pray
don't let her marry fortune-hunter,
mammal said looking up from letter /
was writing to Mr.. SherrDgton.
81 would not, if could help it; but what
authority have I, Gertrude?" said my moth
er. "In few months Patricia will be in
undivided possession Of her fortune. We
are here only by courtesy. The Heamitage
is her home. have no right to control her,
whatever"
'But your influence, mammal"
"Will have very little effect if she sets her
heart on this Gage Redmond. Pray stop
staring vacantly out of the window Gertrude,
and attend to what say. / want assistance
in this matter"
"Please excuse me. am thinking of my
own affairs just now, mamma. They may
be OF no consequence to you, but my letter is
matter of some Importance to me-"
did not mean to be saucy, only pettish !;
and mamma, having had long experience with
four headstrong girls, bore it with me quite
patiently.
swell, finish your letter, Gertrude, and
then advise with me-"
But my train of thought was broken, and
after few moments / put the sheet in my
writing desk.
"What can't be accomplished openly must
be done by strategem, mamma. 1t is probable
this Gage Redmond is after Patricia's money.
She is great prize matIimonially. Well,
you say am prettier than Patty. Suppose
I play decoy?"
"Whatr' cried mamma.
"Mr. Redmond is dark and reserved. am
fair and volatile. Dou't you think he would
appreciate my style of beauty if took little
Mains To mako him do CD o.,
"But Mr.. Sherrington ?"
II will tell him. He will not object"
II think he will"
ooh no! He will be interested In the
good of the family. He comes next week.
fortunately Patty is sick with cold and
MIR. Redmond can see but little of her until
them"
Quite pleased with my scheme, ran up
stairs to give Patricia her ceugh.d drops, sit
ting down at the window of her room and
bowling cordially to Mr.. Redmond, whom
could see writing in his uncle's study in the
great mansion across the way. The larches
hid all the house but that one window. He
was there good deal and I reflected that
Patty's blue silk curtains were more becom-
ing to my style of beauty than hers.
"Pll bring my embroidery up and sit with
you, Patty" said.
''Do," she said. 81 am tired of watching
the eyergreens sswaying about against that
gray Spring sky"
So filled my lap with rose-colored wors-
ted and framed myself in the blue window
drapery for Mr.. Redmond's benefit. Just
the colors to set off the snow and pink of my
complexion. / had the satisfaction of meet
ing his eyes more than once when glanced
over the way.
Seems to me you've wonderfully good
spirits, Cert" remarked Patricia, languidly.
The De Lacy dinner bell rang and Mr..
Redmond disappeared.
swell, must take them in another direc-
ton now" l said rising. 81 can't give any
more time to you sis, for / want to finish nay
blue silk suit before Mr.. Sherrington comes.
You'd better take nap"
Patricia settled herself obediently among
her cushions. Suddenly she lifted her beauti-
full head.
HAS Mr.. Redmond called to inquire for
me to-day, Gerty?"
mo, believe not" replied, indifferently.
She showed moments surprise, then settled
herself on her couch again, and in five min