Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1892-02-06


sent home. Their beauty she warmly
expatiated on, but Lena would not al
low her to leave until she had told her
of Dertho's wonderful Gt of economy.
The combined entreaties of all the
trio could not induce Mr.. Gregory to
accompany them to Mrs. Langdon'5.
He pleaded a headache and fatigue.
This was a cover to the real reason.
His business affairs were daily becom-
ing more entangled by means of sew
eral heavy failures of parties owing
him to n great extent, and all he
could see before him was ruin and dis
grace.
But he could keep his forebodings to
himself until after the fcte was over,
when, If he found no means of extri-
eating himself, he would make n 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 at
,cntions were received with deep sat
isfaction to herself. Nor was the less
interested Bertha, who had laid no siege
to him, overlooked.
He inquired at once where her father
was, as he had not seen him there.
To her reply that he had resisted all
he uttered a prolonged "Ah" and fell
into revcrie.
Hugh was thinking of the vngue re.
port he had heard on Wall street that
morning that the commercial house OF
Gregory & Co. was fast tottcring to-
ward bankruptcy.
The next morning, at an early hour.
Hugh called at Mr.. GregorJ's count
ing-house. and offered to help him
through the financial crisis that was
upon him.
Mr. Gregory had done the same decd
years before for Hugh's father. and he
(1uglD kindly pressed the favor back
upon him, which was accepted with
tears of gratitude in the eyes Of the
pan;c-stricken merchant.
AS Clara and Hugh sat at dinner the
! next day after the ball, discussing tho
costumes brought out there. she relat-
ed what Lena had told her Of Bertha's
streak of economy.
SIS that so, Clara?' he asked. "was
she as self.sacrificing as that? But she
looked as sweet as n rosebud 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 tho
reason which had probably deferred
Bertha from the outlay for new dress
"She is n noble girl, Clara, and I'm
afraid we couldn't number many like
her amongst that gay assembly at Mrs.
| Langdon's. Surely all is not god that
glitters.'"
A week after this the footpan at tn.
| Gregorys brought up card to the
| parlor for Miss Bertha, and the gentle
man 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, John?''
she asked, thinking it must have been
intended for Lena
Yes, 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 cIouded her face rs Bertha de-
scended to the drawing room.
WAS it I you wished to see, Mr..
Ainsley?" she asked, after saluting
him.
1T was You. yourself Why? permit
me to inquire"
Il thought it might be one of Johns
blundcrs. and that sister Lena was the
one DESIRED" said Bertha
NO, Miss Bertha: it is you with whom
I have special business" he said, at tho
same time watching the sudden enlarge.
mcnt of her blue eyes when he said
"business.''
For several years. Miss Bertha, I've
been searching in the circle of my ac
quaintance for noble, true-hearteG
woman 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, will answer me: 'ycs?'"
''Give me time to think, please; it is
| so sudden" she stammered, covering
Der face with her hands to conceal hcl
| Bushes.
"You shall have three whole months
to consider the subject; then I shall
demand an unconditional answer
said Hugh, drawing the hands from
her face and pressing them to his lips
In three months their engagement
was announced to the gay world.
| Another three months and the gay
world was invited to their public wed
ding in church. After much coaxing
Lena was prevailed upon to be Bcrtha's
bridesmaid; but il was n bitter disap
pointment to stand in that place, in
stead of next to the groom.
In after years she learned tina
Bertha's ''old bali dress had turne,
the scale in favor of her, and VOL
Hugh Ainsley. lie reasoned that the
daughter who would sacrifice her Owl
desires for the sake of lessening th'
burden weighing upon the shoulders o
her father could not fail to make tru'
| wife. Boston Globe.
Glasgow Justices Justice.
a bailic of Glasgow was noted for the
simplicity OF his manners on the bench
A youth was charged before him will