The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-09

expressive face, she added II think
you will be happy and contented, Mr..
Ellis"
Ethelberta rose from her chair Ian
guidly
"Come Allle,' Mrs. Wyndham said
81 promised you glimpse of my new
Duchess set. Mr.. Helsinger, Mr.. Ellis,
you will excuse u.s."
Ellis was on his feet In moment.
Ladies', there is not the slightest
need of your taking such pains to mani
fest your sudden lack of interest in me
or rather your dlsappointmentto to learn
that am no longer eligible as wealthy
bait. Pray Helslnger, remain and en-
tertain the ladies, and l will retire. Mrs.
Wyndham, Miss Greuvllle, Miss Ethel
berta, good night Miss Dean, If fortune
favors me, hope to say good bye to you
tomorrow"
And with dignity that beiitted a duke,
Ellis went away, leaving Hesnger at
the mercy of three curious women's
tongues
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 pc
tite, blonde beauty--with an expression
of the most devout thankfuluess on her
pretty face.
"Oh, Mr. Hesinger, i feel as If l
never could sufficiently thank you :
Only suppose 1 had accepted him what
on earth would have done 2"
Helsinger looked innocently at her.
Indeed, Mrs. Wyndham, poor Ellis
must have grown very reticent about
his love affairs lately, for he never hint
ed to me that you had refused him."
A vivid blush deepened on her face.
"Oh didn't mean to say that he had
actually offered, you know. But if he
had, and had accepted him ?"
"Ohl"
Helsinger's monosyllable was eloquent
and somehow made the widow wonder
if he was making fun of her.
Because, you see,' Miss Ethelberta
went on, almost Indignantly, 6 Mr.. El-
lis has been so very attentive to us all,
and indeed, his wealth and position
made him very desirable. But now"
And peculiar toss of her head and
compression of her lips finished her re-
mark far better than words could have
done.
6 l am really sorry poor Sidney has
disappointed you all-shall L include
you, Miss Dean ?'
She turned her flushed cheeks toward
the group more bravely than she had
ever done anything in her life.
" Indeed, you may not. Mr.. Ellis is
the same to me now as he was when he
owned his mansion and horses and
money, and true friend of his will es-
TEEN him none the less"
Mrs. Wyndham Uttered maliciously.
Why, my dear, what beautiful
display of Quixotic interest. Pray do
repeat it to Mr. Ellis, Mr.. Helsinger."
He arose gravely.
L shall do so Mrs. Wyndman, and
being myself the sort of friend Miss
Dean describes, shall carry Quixot-
ism still further-I shall select Sidney
Ellis friends as mine. Ladies, good
night"
After he was gone Alexouma turned
with scowl to Lily still standing be-
side the low ebony etegere, with the
same sweet, flushed excitement on her
pure face.
"You brazen little witch Why
couldn't you keep your mouth shut p
You see what you have done-actually
driven Mr.. Helsinger from our house."
II think not, Allie. If you will be
reasonable, you will see 1t was your own
cruelty and ollow-heartedness that did
it."
Mrs. Wyndham laughed hysterlcally
she really was terribly cut up at Ellis
sudden ineligibility.
"Crueltyl hollow -henrtedness Per-
haps, Miss Dean, you would not refuse
to apply an antidote to MIR. Ellis"
Lily looked quietly at the vexed
woman, but made no reply, and then
went to her own room where she was to
pass the last night of her long visit-the
visit during which she had learned so
much of the hollowness of society, SO
little of what was ennobling, save her
love for Sidney Ellis.
She knew it now-knew 1t was con-
viction as strong as death-that the i'll
fortune that had come to him had de.
veloped in her what it had crushed in