Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-01-04

abode, most of Elias admirers, and all
her fashionable lady friends but three,
gradually dropped her. She was no
longer a belle. When she accepted an
invitation she found herself treated like
other girls. The lesson was salutary.
If her vanity was hurt, her good sense
was improved.
One pleasant winter day she accepted
the hand of Roderick Blair. 1t might
be a long engagement, for both were
poor but they trusted each other.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Blair was delighted.
She came down often and brought all
the village news. Amongst other things,
description of the splendid new house
rich man, whose name she did not
know, was building on the very next
piece of land to that on which her own
br ywn cottage stood.
1t was marvel of perfection, thor
oughly well appointed in every way.
and it was now being furnished from
roof to- basement in the most elegant
manner. The furnishing did not come
at first, of course. Indeed, it took six
months to arrive at that point. And
a stained glass window in the hall and
a conservatory, thoroughly stocked,
brought the old lady down on special
visit
Mr.. Lowe was always interested in
her account of the place.
Il should like to see it, he said. Il
will come up with Ella next Monday,
and, no doubt, may get permission to
90 through it with you.
deli ghtfulr' said Mrs. Blair. Il
adore handsome houses
Ella smiled and the result was that
the following Monday Mr.. Lowe, hearty
and happy as in his palmiest days. Of
tered his arm to Mrs. Blair, and leav
ing the young people to follow. escorted
her from her own quiet home to the
elegant new mansion. The man who
was carefully polishing the stone porch
opened the door for him, and all four
entered.
Certainly handsomer, and yet a
more home-like house, could not have
been found in all America. Mrs. Blair
was in raptures. Roderick, looking
down at ELLA. said:
my dear, l wish / could give you
such homes" and she answered.:
"Ah, Roderick, I wish | could bring
such home with me when I come to
you"
Mr.. Lowe heard, and paused with a
smile.
"Say you so children?'' he cried.
"Well, then, my dears, if you like it.
will give it to you. Take it and enjoy
it,
1t seemed witticism, at which they
all laughed, and they went home to-
gether, happy and friendly. and took
tea in the widows cottage.
After the meal was over, Mr.. Lowe
once more brought up the subject of the
new house.
.'Would you really like to live there,
good Ella" he asked, 'sofar from town
and all It's gayeties?''
"Papa, I hate town." said Ella.
IA country life and true. honest friends
for me-
Il agree with you, child" said Mr..
Lowe. ''The world is very hollow. So
ciety very unsatisfying to the soul, vet
it is not usual to feel that while we are
young.
eve have had our experiences. 1
think they are sufficient. But, dear
friends. l have a confession to make.
The story of my total loss of fortune
was an exaggeration. lost fifty thou
sand dollars, it is true, sufficient for a
foundation for the rumor. fostered
it, and played the ruined man to per-
lection. My motive was to save Ella
from a fortune hunter, and to give her
to good man who really loved her.
She has found him.
my dears. get married as soon as
you like. The house yonder was built
for you. You. Mrs. Blair, will. of
course, live with your son, and you
must find room for me somewhere
within its walls, dear madam. l think
we will all be very happy together.
There. no talk about it now. You have
engaged yourself to a rich woman
against your will, Roderick, and will
have to put up with it.
And he took his daughter away.