Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-10-02

WHO was ifc fixed. centrl star around
which tho feminine iuminaries had ann
biti0ualy beamed for The last two seasons.
each iondly hoping to be the finally
favored one
But to the secret chagsin OF each. Zee
still maintained The same quiet conrtli-
ness Of manucrs toward them an. He
scented Quito as Indifferent to their heart
aiIairs rs he would have been to the
pyramids OF Egypt fais was the gem
tleinau Lena was bonding al her ener-
giles 10 i1snare and bring to her feet be-
fore The present sea- on closed.
Clara wss on intimate friend Of both
the girls. and she was invited up stairs
TO see the dresses, which mad just been
sent bone. Their beauty she warmly
eSpatiatsl on, brit Lena would not al
low her TO leave until she had told her
Of Bcrtha's wonderful 6t Of economy,
and ~laughingly said she should certainly
take her opera glasscs with her TO
lhe bali, that she might descry some in
teresting, poor young gentleman, with
whom she knew her sister must have a
secret understanding, and for whose ben
eft she was carrying out this within Of
prudence.
The combined e~ntreaties Of all the trio
could not induce Mr.. Gregory to accom-
pany them TO Mrs Langdon's. He
blended q headache and h,tigue. This
was q 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 a great
extent, and all he could see before him
was ruin and disgracei but he would
keep his forebodings to himself until aft
er the fete was over, when, if he found
no means of %oxtricating 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, aud 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 inorire5 at once where her 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 "Ahl" and fell into
o 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 ye. before for Hugh's futicos,
and be (Hugh) kindly pressed the
favor back upon him, which was &C
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 Be1tha's
streak Of economy.
els that go, CcTaY" he asked. "Was
she as self sacrificing as that2 But she
looked as sweet as n rose bud in her
dress, il 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 a new dress.
"She is a 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 n card to the par
lor for "1Iiss Bertha, and the gentleman
is waiting below in the drawing room"
Bertha glanced at the card and saw
Hugh Ainsley" inscribed thereon.
ibid you say this was for me, JonnY
she asked, thinking il 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 a mistake, and an angry
frown clouded her face as Bertha de-
scended to the drawing room.
''Was it me You wished to see, Mr..
AinsleyY" she asked after saluting him.
ut was you yourself. Why? permit
me to inquirer"
81 thought it might be one Of Johns
DiuiiueIhf anu lAhb hlAltI htht WAS lue
one desired" said Bertha.
"No, Miss Bertha; it is you with whom
l have special business" he said, at tx
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 &c
~quaintance for a noble, truehearted wo-
man to ask to become my wife. l have
just been fortunate enough to find her,
and have now come to ask her if she
win bear my name and share with me
my earthly lot Bertha. you are the
chosen one, and my hearts best and pur-
est affection l lay at your feet. Win you
answer me 'Yesr"
GIVE me time to think, pleasei it is
SO sudden" she stammered, covering hei
face with her hands to conceal hel
bushes.
'fYou shall have three whole months
to consider the subject; then | shall de
mand an unconditional answer" ssid
nugh, 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.