Daily Republican., 1885-07-06
GRACE BAZELTON's STORY.
BY BERTHA BERTON.

SAID Graco Hazelton, nB she nestled
down At the side Of a pale, sweet look. |
ing lady, who was louuRing in plush.
covered easy chair by the open win.
dow.
What, child ?" Aunt Elinor aues
toned, letting her soft white hand stray
caressingly over the bony head that
leaned against her, though she hardly
needed to ask, knowing, as she did 30
well. her darlings thoughts.
" Which one loves me best %
Grace finished her sentence, and
looked up to her Aunt Elinor's face.
"Well," the lazy said tboughtfully,
you surely know which one you care
for the more. They are both desirable
suitors. Roger Sher win Is very devoted,
and | think that he loves you; but,
Grace, You are an heiress, and it is n
fact THAI l believe has weight with him
and even with Harold Montrose."
"Oh. Aunt Elinor l do not think
they care for my fortune; they are
neither of them poor
I" l know that, child still, fear they
would love you less if yon were poor
GIRL"
~ vish could test them, auntie !;
though i see no way" and Grace
Hazeltoh unused over the important
subject with a shadow of thoughtful.
ness resting upon her fair face.
Roger Sherwin was a bankers son,
and would some time become heir to IA
large fortune. He was intelligent and
refined, and. Oracle thought, exceed
ingly agreeable very much in love he
appeared, Judging by his frequent calls,
and Grace, orphan as she was, with no
hnt Eltpnr m lCua nd
thought it very pleasant to receive such
devoted attention but 1t did not give
her the thrill of pleasure that a word or
glance from Harold Mon.rose as sure
to arouse, and, though she did not know
it, the pretty III maiden's heart was not in
her own keeping
Harold Montross was quite the re-
verss of Roger Sherwin, who, with mis-
dark Spanish face, HIS bright black
eyes and proud bearing, was of South
ern birth Harold, with fair and sunny
| face. rich brown hair, and eyes OF deep
| eat blue, was one to inspire confidence.
His father was dead, and he and his
| mother lived in handsome cottage at
tho extreme limit OF the city. They
| were in afiiuent circumstances, and
though there seemed to be no necessity
| tor IT,, Harold Montrose was titJing him
self for the legal profession, and had
hopes of being admitted soon to the
bar. 1t was not in his nature to he an
idler. Earnest in whatever he set about,
success doubtless awaited him in hi-
| profession. Quite as impassioned had
he been in his wooing, but seemingly y
with less chance Of achieving the object
of his desires.
| Nature had not endowed him with
the telf cot tidence that Sherwin pos
sessed, and while Ioger began to press
his suit with ardor, Harold drew back
apparently giving up the contests a thing
which disturbed Grace Hazelton's peace
of mind exceedingly.
One morning Oracle came down to
the break fast room to lind Aunt Elinor
there before her. 1t was quite an un.
usual thing, and seeing her aunt busy
over the morning mail, she entered soft
ly, and, stealing up behind her, imprint
ed kiss upon her pale, delicate
cheek.
Grace looked like some beautiful
flower. She had on a morning dress oi
soft pink cambric trimmed ith white
lace, and at her throat and nestling In
the dark, waving tresses Of her hail
we're clusters OF family tinted rose
buds. Exquititely fair and lovely wa
the young girl, and a sweet smile play
ed around her vivid lips, but as Aun
Eliuor looked up, her face was 30 pale
her ey ca so sad and fearful, that shl
was star'led.
Why, auntie," she exclaimed
"are you i'll? Have you had BAT
news ?'
Il Aunt Eiinor drew her arm about tn,
slender form and kissed Grace before
she spoke word.
My child, she said at last, in
tremuIous tone, the news concern
you the lutter Is from our lawyer
MIR. Stanford"
Tell me, Aunt E,inor," Grace said
growing pale and standing erect as If K
NEE, the blow.
1.-The bank in which your money wa
7 deposited has failed, and your for
tune is swept away. My child, yol
arc penniless, and she gave way 10 he
grief.
Don't, auntie," Grace said, essay
! ing to soothe her excitement, "perbap
something will be saved, and you k nov
this house is mine we can live her
still.
"On what ?" asked Aunt Elinor
when she grew calmer. This hous
will shelter us, but we must lav. foo
: and clothing, and the few hundreds
! possessed were deposited in that bank.
Y The fortune left to his only daughte
$ by Mr.. Hazelton had been placed in
bank that WAS considered on n fir
: basis, aud Mr.. Stamford, the famil
attorney, had transacted all bushes
pertaining thereto so that Grace ha
i -lnu fa1 i, inn - -
: sne scarcely understood the extent {
i her loss Her wants had always bee
E suppliei Aunt Elinor, her father
/ sis'er, had been most indulgen
"haperou. and hitherto her life ha
! been free from care as the lilies in III
' field.
i. a change had come how would sh
meet II? True, as sho said, tho hou.
was lett, but her aunt's practical yie'
of the situation WAS right. Food au
, clothing were inportan: items, an
: Grace H&zelton found that she mu,
c toll for her daily bread.
3 Aunt Elinor, though stunned at fir,
by their great loss, was not one TO Civ
up in despair, and she and Grace lai
= plan after plan to be rejected finally d
impractica Ole.
l. AT last Grace, who had artistic tast,
decided 10 give her attention to decori
l. tive art, and, fitting herself by th
necessary instruction, she turned thei
parlor into q studio.
But where were the lovers of Graz
+ Hazelton's prosperous days? With tt
coming of adversely Roger Sherwi
y showed his true colors. He came to "a
|. good bye, as business hal called hi
Q suddenly to Europe his leave rakir
d was cool and formal. Not a word
I. love, nor even a promise TO write, AZ
}, Grace remembered her aunt's words.
I Harold Montrose called, hut not
q aav oDD1 hive Ha rama IN of3er tha Ia,