Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-07-23

teIeSbIuB, pOOI young BeuJlculdIl, Will
whom she knew her sister must have a
secret understanding, and for whose ben
eft she was carrying out this whim Of
prudence.
The combined entreaties of all the trio
could not induce Mr.. Gregory to accom-
pany them to Mrs. Langdon's He
pleaded headache and fatigue This
was cover to the real reason. His bust
ness affairs were daily becoming more
entangled by means of several heavy
failures of parties owing him to great
extent, and all he could see before him
was ruin and disgrace; but he would
keep his forebodings to himself until aft
er the fete was over, when, if he found
no means of extricating himself, he
would make a clean breast of the whole
thing to them.
Hugh Ainsley was quite attentive to
Miss Lena that night, who looked very
queenly in the gay throng, and his atten-
tions were received with deep satitfac-
ton to herself Nor was the less inter
ested Bertha, who had laid no siege to
him, overlooked.
He inquired at once where hT father
was, as he had not seen him there To
her reply that he had resisted all en-
treaty to come, from great fatigue, he
uttered a prolonged "Ah!' and fell into
a reverie
Hugh was thinking Of the vague
report he had heard in Wall street
that morning, that the commercial
house Of Gregory & Co. was fast totter-
ing toward bankruptcy.
The next morning at an early hour
Hugh called at Mr.. Gregory's counting
house and offered him loans to any
amount to help him through the
financial crisis that was upon him
Mr.. Gregory had done the same
deed years before for Hugh's father,
and he Hugh) kindly pressed the
favor back upon him, which was ac-
cepted with tears Of gratitude in the
eyes of the panic stricken merchant.
AS Clara and Hugh sat at dinner the
next day after the ball discussing the
costumes brought out there, she related
what Lena had told her of Berthas
streak Of economy.
''Is that SO, Claraf" he asked ''Was
she as self sacrificing as that? But she
looked as sweet as a rose bud in her
dress, if it had been worn three times"
Then he told her in confidence Of the
state Of Mr.. Gregory's affairs, and the
reason which had probably deferred
Bertha from outlay for new dress.
"She is noble girl, Clara, and I'm
afraid we couldn't number many like
her among that gay assembly at Mrs.
Langdon's. Surely all is not gold that
glitters.''"
A week after this the footman at the
Gregorys brought up card to the par
lor for "Miss Bertha, and the gentleman
is waiting below in the drawing room"
Bertha glanced at the card and saw
Hugh Ainsley" inscribed thereon.
"Did you say this was for me, John?"
she asked, thinking it might have been
intended for Lena
Eyes, ma'am. He said Miss Bertha, ~
replied the servant.
Lena pouted at this. She had thought
he had made mistake, and an angry
frown elouded her face as Bertha de-
scended to the drawing room
v
Ainsley?" she asked after saluting him.
"It was you yourself. Why? permit
me to inquirer
81 thought it might be one of Johns
blunders, and that sister Lena was the
one desired" said Bertha.
mo, Miss Bertha; it is you with whom
have special business, he said, at the
same time watching the sudden enlarge
ment of her blue eyes when he said bust
ness.
For several years, Miss Bertha, I've
been searching in the circle of my ac-
quaintance for noble, truehearted wo-
man to ask to become my wife have
just been fortunate enough to find her,
and have now come to ask her if she
will bear my name and share with me
my earthly lot. Bertha, you are the
chosen one, and my hearts best and pur-
est affection lay at your feet. Will you
answer me Yes?
"Give me time to think, please; it is
so sudden, she stammered, covering her
face with her hands to conceal her
bushes.
"You shall have three whole months
to consider the subject; then | shall de-
mand an unconditional answer" said
Hugh, drawing the hands from her face
and pressing them to his lips.
In three months Bertha decided to say
''Yes," and their engagement was an
nounced to the gay world
Another three months and the gay
world was invited to their public we'd
ding in church After much coaxing
Lena was prevailed upon to be Bertha's
bridesmaid, but it was a bitter disap-
pointment to stand in that place, instead
of next to the groom
In after years she learned that Berthas
'old ball dress" had turned the scale in
favor Of her and won Hugh Ainsley.
He reasoned that the daughter who
would sacrifice her own desires for the
sake Of lessening the burden weighing
upon the shoulders Of her father could
not fail to make true wife. Buffalo
News.