Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-01-07

en- itself gravely at the attentions paiC
to Mr.. Duff's fdncee; and Mr.. Duf
himself determined that Ellie shoul,
not, with his consent. have another Cd
portunity of making herself conspicd
Gus with Captain Verschoyle.
But, alas, poor foolish Ellie was Il At
tered Captain Verschoyle was tn,
swell" of the regiment, very hand
some, very rich, and 50 fascinating tha
IN miraculOuSly short space of tim,
she succumbed to his attractions and
good honest George Duff, who could
not, because of his love for her. Sonce, ,
his wrath, showed himself in light {,
Efiie which apparently changed her af
fectiOn for him into a feeling of almosI
aversion.
To certain extent Lady Mecgregor
and Hester viewed the state of affair,
with complacency. If Ellie found she
could not care for George, 1t was a:
well TO discover it in good time. And
by all accounts Verschoyle's wealth
was ten times greater than Mr.. Duff's
tie was the nephew and heir-presump.
tive of an Earl and for Ellie TO be
come a Countess was more in accord.
ance with JIester's ambition than to see
her plain Mrs. Duff OF Ardloch Park.
But the mothers heart misgave her
Not that she disliked Captain Yer.
schoyle; she admired him extremely
he was certainly far more polished and
elegant than Mr.. Duff. But there was
a something-Mrs. Macgregor could
hardly explain what-that she did not
approve about him aud she was hon.
estly grieyed and sorry when Effie finally
Informed her, about a fortnight afta
the ball, that she and Mr.. Duff had said
goodbye 10 each other,
''He was 50 jealous, so tiresome.
could never have been happy with him,
mamma ; besides
on have seen some one YOU like
better, Effie," added the widow.
perhaps | have, mamma" she con.
fessed.
Etfie did not escape censure for her
desertion of Mr.. Duff. AT more than
one afternoon tea-party her conduct
was canvasSed and condemned. But
why should Sue care she asked herself.
Was not Captain NerSchoyle growing
more devoted, more enipreSSe! Did he
not come dashing almost daily into
Moray Place. driving his Multiplication,
with its pair of snowy chestnuts, a
smart groom sitting behind 7 And did
he not parade the regiment past their
windows, with hiS:shandsome self at its
head, all for her sake ? Did not the
band strike up just asrhey reached her
abode for her special delectation And
what bouquets came from London
Edinburgh was not supposed to be able
to furnish suitable floral offerings for
the idol of his heart For brief sea-
son Etfie lived in whirl of happy ex-
pectation and excitement. George Duff
had departed there was not cloud to
mar her enjoymslt-at least she could
not discern one.
At last the first bolt came from the
blue sky. The Dragons were ordered
to leave Edinburgh and to march forth
with to Manchester. Pale is marble,
Etie-who was now deeply in love with
Captain rschoyle-listened to the
news. Lady Macgre yor and Hester
were rather glad 1t would bring mat
tiers to crisis, and be better for Ellie,
who bad never been very strong, and
upon whom the unwonted excitement
had already begun to tell. Mrs. Mac
gregOr was glad too in way. She was
afraid she had not acted very wisely III
Effie's behalf and every day she re-
gretted the honest heart her pretty
daughter had thrown aside. She felt
that Captain VerschOyle would
DO his duty, that his intentions were
But was this gay butterfly
likely to make good steady husband ?
She pondered the question very anx-
iously. If Ellie had had father, or
even an uncle, she would have eltsafer,
and gone to him for counsel and sup
port. But the Macgregor family were
strangely devoid of the male element.
Sir Robert had been dead for several
years, and the only surviving brother was
IN Australia. Mrs. Macgregor on her
side had no brothers.
Lady Macgregor was very certain
hat Effie would be "all right"-s0 she
herself-and, now that Cap
DIN Verschoyle's day of departure had
been fixed, the family might hourly ex-
Dect Eflie's second engagement TO be
Ellie saw him at a flower show on the
lay after the receipt of the unwelcome
,idings. She herself was the fairest
lower there. in her simple white straw
Donnet, with its white trimmings; and
Captain Verschoyle at once, as was his
custom, took possession of her.
"You have heard the news, L dare
,ay ?'' he said. I'VE are ordered off,
Effie. may have to go Immediately"
She tried to smile. She trusted him;
he was too innocent herself to believe
hat he meant to go and forget her.
Though they were in crowded room,
10 one overheard a syllable of their
but many guessed from
Ter shy happy face that another crisis
vas come for the belle of the season.
He explained to her why he must go;
,ut he added that he would return.
She must promise to remember him, to
Ne very true and very faithful. Could
he do it Might he trust her?
This had not been George Duff's WOO
ng. He had said out boldly that he
owed her, that he wanted to make her
lis wife. And there had been no talk
# indefinite departures or returns.
However, she was satisfied. He was
,oing away then, but he would return.
She must he brave and trtistful.
He said fervent goodbye To her,
laying escorted her home to Moray
Place, Lady Macgregor and Hester
Walking in front of them. But he re-
used to enter the house, thing he
lad never before been known to do.
lie was rather pressed for time, he said.
With parting glance at Ellie, he raised
lis hat and departed.
Lady Macgregor wondered why he
lad not come in. Hester looked anx-
ously at Effie; and Ms. Macgregor,
Who had seen the parting at the door, fel
omething like throb of pain, which
however was strangely mingled with
elief.
What had Ellie 10 say?
She was all joy and cheerfulness-
onfidant regarding his truth and honor.
Ie had ascertained from her all partic-
,tars about her Highland home; he had
.lso made nste of her address, for he