Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-11-12

III bSiuitf vi Ufi<tt, AsAisS LII
tier l confess my inability to follow your
meaning" n~.ss4-
Alexouma firted her fan in a way that
was intended to be the very poetry of
motion and took up the line of defence.
"Why, the idea of you, of all men,
leaving the city and burying yourself in
the horrid country What on earth will
you do with yourself?"
Mr.. Ellis looked across the group tol
Helsirger, who was vainly trying to inter-
est Mrs. Eustacie Wyndham in conver-
sation-pretty little widow Wyndham,
who had her eyes on Sidney Ellis for her
deceased husbands successor.
Helsinger, what do you think p
Shall stand it if emigrate to my Wis
consin farm 2"
ssYour Wisconsin, farm BLESS my soul
Ellis, is the Wisconsin farm all there is
left you from the wreck of your fortune?''
Ellis laughed as much at the horror on
Mrs. Wyndham's face, as at the ready re-
ply of his friend Helsinger.
"Oh, Mr.. Ellis you are never going
into the horrid Western wilds, because you
have actually lost everything else 7-I
thought surely you ment it for sort of
lark, you know, supposed there was a
delightful little cottage and a carriage and
everything romantic
Lily parted the lace curtains and came
out at this juncture, in good time to see
the surprise and growing coldness on Mrs.
Wyndhaln's pretty face. H~1dH i
Ellis locked quickly up at her and
bowed,
"Miss Lily, add your coincidence,
please. These ladies are horri6ed because
Helsinger has foollshiy blundered over al
piece Of news I had hoped to keep quiet.
A delicious flush surged over Lilies
cheeks. Somehow-and how egregicious-
ly foolish it was-she felt glad Mr.. Ellis
had lost all his wonderful lot of money. i
al cannot see why Mrs. Wyndham
need feel Mortified. l can assure her
there is no life like country Life. Then
lifting her eyes timedly to Sidney's oddly
expressive face, she added | think you
will be happy and contented, Mr.. Ellis.
Ethelberta arose from her chair Ian
guidly.
5as" Come Allie, Mrs. Wyndham, i prom
ised you glimpse at my new Dutchesset.
Mr.. Helslnger, win you excuse sus?"
Ellis was on hes feet in moment.
aLadies, there is not the slightest need
Of your taking such pains to manifest
your sudden lack Of interest in me-or
rather your disappointment to learn that
| am not eligible as wealthy bait. Pray,
Helsinger, remain and entertain the ladies,
and I will retire. Mrs. Wyndham, Miss
Grenville, Miss Ethelberta, good night
Miss Dean, if fortune favors me, hope to
say goodbye to you tomorrow rF
And with dignity that would have
benefited duke, Ellis went away, leav-
ing Heisinger at the mercy of three curl
GUS women's tongues. em n
The widow Wyndham sank back
among the blue cushions she always
made point Of getting where there were
lovely azure tints to show off her petite,
blonde beauty with an expression Of the
most deyout thankfulness on her pretty
face. " W
'Oh, Mr.. Helsinger, l feel as if never
could sufficiently thank you. Only sup
pose | had accepted him, what on earth
would have done r.
Helsinger looked innocently at her.
Indeed, Mrs. Wyndham poor Ellis
must have grown very reticent about his
love affairs lately, for he never hinten to
me that you had refused him."
A vivid blush deepened on her face.
"OhlI didn't mean to say that he
had actually offered, you know. But if
he had, and | had accepted him r.
"Ohr"
Helsinger's monosylable was eloquent,
and somehow it made the widow wonder
if he was making funofs her.
" Because you see," Miss Ethelberta
went on, almost indignantly, fs Mr.. Ellis
has been SO attentive to us all, and indeed,
his wealth and position made him very
desirable. But now