Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-07-19

the suspicion entering his mind that
the shrewd old lawyer was trying to
dodge the question.
sOh, ah, yes, I think I do under
stand you. Well, what of it?"
only this, sir, that deeply as I re-
greet the necessity, the high regard !
cherish for your ward, and the knowl-
edge that I shall be unable, at least
for some years, to offer her such home
as she Is accustomed to and merits, de-
mands the sundering Of our engage
ment."
"That is to say, in plain English, my
ward, having lost her fortune. Mr..
Wells no longer desires to marry her"
In spite of all his efforts. Dir. Wells
felt his cheeks Jingle beneath the
quiet scorn In the eyes that rested upon
his countenance.
you put it rather harshly." he said,
forcing smile; "but we won't quarrel
about terms"
very good. All I have to say is,
that what you are pleased to term Miss
Meals misfortune, promises to be the
best thing that could happen her.
Good morning"
When Mr.. Thornlv saw his ward
again, in the evening, his countenance
wore curious expression.
Il have important news for you.
Ellen; one portion of it rather bad, but
the other so good as to more than make
up for it. Indeed, as told certain
young man this morning, consider it
the best thing that could possibly hap
pen to you. First, for the bad; the
bank in which your money was in.
vested, has gone up, and won't prob
ably pay two cents on dollar. Now
for the good; in consequence of this
Mr.. Frederick Wells called to express
his regrets, that he must relinquish the
honor and happiness of making you his
wife"
rs it possible?" exclaimed Ellen.
"How have been deceived in him. /
thought he loved me for myself alone.
o Mr.. Thornly, how thankful 1 ought
to be that I have discovered how false
his heart is, before it was too late"
"Mr. Hayden is in the parlor and
wants to see Miss Ellen" said a servant
opening the door.
Ellen entered the parlor in rather
perturbed state of mind; much as she
rejoiced at her escape, she could not but
feel deeply grieved at the discovery of
the unworthiness of him, whom she
had hitherto esteemed so highly as to
often reproach herself that she could
not love him as he deserved.
Mr.. Hayden's mind was, also, much
disturbed, though from very differen Mt
cause.
1t was in vain that the young gentle
man tried to recall the neat little speech
that he had conned over on his way to
the house; as is usual in such cases, it
completely vanished from his mind as
soon as he found himself in the pres
ence of the lady, for whose benefit it
was intended.
At last, making desperate effort he
broke the rather embarrassing silence
by saying:
"My dear Miss Neal I have heard of
your loss of fortune, and cannot express
what burden it lifted from my heart.
I was so truly rejoiced as to quite for
get"
Here, startled by the indignant aston
ishment depicted upon Ellen's counte-
nance, the poor fellow stammered and
then stopped.
"Sir-Mr. Hayden" faltered Ellen,
deeply wounded at the language so diff
ferent from what she anticipated. Il
am at a loss to understand why you
should rejoice over my misfortune"
Dear one, 1 know it is very selfish in
me and vet was never half so happy
in my life as when 1 learned that 1
might, without being accused OF I'M
worthy motives, tell you what a priv
lege l should deem it to cherish and
care for you, as man cherishes and cares
for the dearest object of his love-"
The sudden revolution of feeling,
caused by these words, sent warm,
happy tears to Ellen's eyes.
%I thank heaven for the reverse of
fortune that has given me the rich
treasure of your love-" she murmured,
as she laid her hand softly in his.
Half an hour later the lovers we're re-
ceiving the congratulations, and the
warm approvsl'of Ellen's guardian.
The old gentleman listened silently,
and with evident enjoyment at the plans
they laid for the future.
4 am sorry to spoil your petty ro-
nance of Love in a Cottage and all
that sort of thing" he said at last, "but
the fact is, Ellen-though, as 1 told
you, your fortune was invested in the
Bolton Bank happened to withdraw
the money the week before it failed.
But don't be down-hearted about it, my
young friends, you'll find plenty of peo-
pie who will gladly relieve you of its
burthens. If you can't dispose OF it in
any other way, you might donate it to
found mission school for the 'Feejee
Mermaids,' or some other equally
as practicable missionary enterprise"
We can't say as to whether our young
couple followed this suggestion, but
this we know, that throughout her long
and happy married life, Ellen often
had occasion to bless the fortunate
blunder.
a. IT.