Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-08-09
Cornelia Lynn's Stratagem.
BY CAROLINE F. PRESTON.
Wayerly Magazine.

Cornelia Lynn had the misfortune to
be an heiress. | say misfortune, because
it drew about her large number of suit
ors, whose designs were mercenary. 1t
was very easy to dispose of large num-
Der to whom she was indifferent but
there remained two, between whom she
found it difficult to decide These were
Oliver Sinclair and Henry Ellis Both
were young men in good business both
had good reputation in the commu-
nifty Each was attractive in his way,
and Cornelia appealed in vain to her
heart to decide between them. A feath-
er would turn the scale.
In this emergency Cornelia deter
mined to test the disinterestedness of
their affection. An opportunity soon
offered
There lived in the village lady some
what noted as busybody-by name,
Mrs Jones. She was one Of that class
of inveterate gossips, who never hear a
thing without straightway communica-
ting it to all her acquaintance.
One day Cornelia observed this inter-
esting lady making her way up the street
toward her residence, being evidently
bent on making her a call. She in
stantly seized a letter, which had been
prepared for the purpose, and slipping
downstairs laid it carelessly on the
drawing-room table. A moment after
ward the bell rung and Mrs. Jones was
announced. She was shown into the
drawing-room. Cornelia took care not
to descend for twenty minutes.
In the meantime. Mrs. Jones glanced
inquiringly about the apartment. AT
length her attention was drawn to the
open letter. Now curiosity was promi-
nent trait in Mrs. Jones character. She
was at once seized with Il desire to be-
come acquainted with the contents OF
the epistle There was only one thing
which prevented her-the fear of being
detected by the sudden entrance of her
hostess. She accordingly went to the
door, and opened it slightly, that she
might hear the least sound, and then,
returning, swiftly ran her eyes over the
letter, which was as follows
Miss CORNELIA LYNN Madam 1t
gives me the most unfeigned regret tc
be obliged to inform you that the IN
vestment which | made under your di-
rections, involving nearly your whole
fortune, has proved a complete loss. The
managers of the company were a set OF
rascalS and swindlers, and have doubt
less feathered their own nest at the ex-
pense of yourself and others. The
shares have sunk from par value to
Ten per cent This will leave You
something; but of course nine-tenths
will prove a loss. Shall | sell out al
that price? Hard as it is, it is the best
advice | can give you. In concluding
| can only express my regret once more
that the investment should have turned
out so poorly | hope you viii have
strength to bear it.
Il have the.honOr to be.
Yours truly,
JOHN STORY, Att'y-at-law"
We'll, good gracious p exclaimed
Mrs. Jones this is news. l wouldn't
have missed knowing it for fifty dollars
/ wonder what Curnelia Lynn will do
! wonder if she will have enough to live
on?'
At this moment Cornelia entered TIE
room. She looked serious and sorrow
ful-at least, SO Mrs. Jones judged.
j." Are you we'll, Miss Lynn?" inquired
Mrs. Jones.
Pretty well" was the reply.
thought you didn't look as well q.
usual" persisted the visitor.
Perhaps | may be little nervous,
admitted Cornelia.
Anything particular" limited Mrs
Jones, hoping Cornelia would breach the
subject
But this Cornelia did not seem dis
posed to do. Instead of this, she quiet
ly took the letter, which still lay on the
table, and slipped it into her pocket
Judging from this movement that she
was not likely to hear anything more
Mrs. Jones, after little Indifferent con
versation, and feeling DESTROYS of i'm
parting the information she had ac
quired, took her leave.
1t was not long before it became known
in the village that Cornelia Lynn haG
lost her fortune. Among others tC
whom this information came, were the
two lovers previously spoken of.
Good gracious" thought Oliver Sin
clair, ''what a morrow escape! | Wa.
intending to go over next week anC
offer myself. 1t is the luckiest thing
that could happen.
The same day he Glanced to NEE
Cornelia in the street Instead of greet
ing her as usual, he bowed stitfly anC
with an embarrassed air, and passed
on.
"That settles the matter, so far as re
CARDS you, Mr.. Sinclair" thought Cor
neha. q see, by your manner, tina
you have heard the news. There i
nothing like adversely, or supposed ad
versity, to test the diSinterestedneSs O
mans affection. VIII it be so in the
case of Henry ELISE
The question was answered the mex
day.
In the course of the afternoon Henri,
Ellis was announced. After a pau, F.,
Cornelia descended. The young ma
came forward and took her hand Wit.
an air of respectful sympathy.
g L have heard of your loss of fortune
Miss Lynn, remarked he, " and | have
come to offer my coincidence"
THANK you, Mr. Ellis" said Corneia
quietly. Loss Of property is indeed
misfortune, but there is one loss evtl
greater"
And what is that?''
The loss of supposed friends"
Pardon me, said the young man, q i
l disagree with you. Any who are cap
able of renouncing their friends from
such cause are not worth retaining"
81 do agree with you," said Cornelia