The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1893-06-10

the girls. and she was invited up stairs
to see the dresses, which had lust been
sent home Their beauty she warmly
expatiated on. bnt Lena would not al
1 low her To leave until she had told her
OF Bertha's wonderful fit Of economy,
and laughingly said she should certainly
take her own opera glasses with her to
the ball. that she might descry some in
teresting. poor young gentleman. with
whom she knew her sister must have q
secret understanding. and for whose ben.
eft she was carrying out this within Of
prudence.
| The combined entreaties Of all the THO
could not induce Mr.. Gregory 10 accom-
pany them TO Mrs Langdon's He
pleaded headache and fatigue. This
was II 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 be would
keep his forebodngs to himself until aft
er the fete was over. when, If he found
NO means Of extricating himself. he
would make clean breast OF the whole
thing to them.
Hugh Ainsley was quite attentive to
Miss Lena that night. who looked very
queenIy in the gay throng. and his atten-
tions were received with deep satitfao-
ton TO herself Nor was the less inter
ested 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 en-
treaty TO come, from great fatigue, he
uttered prolonged "Ah!" and fell into
reyerie.
Hugh was thinking OF the vague
report he had heard in Wall street
that morning. that the commercial
house Of Gregory d 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 loars to any
amount 10 help him through the
financial crisis that was upon him
MIR. Gregory had done the same
deed years before for Hughs father.
and he tHugh) 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 on; there. she related
what Lena had told her Of Bertha s
streak Of economy.
lis that 30. Claray he asked. WAS
she as self sacrificing as THAR But she
looked as sweet as rose bud in her
dress. If it had been worn three times"
Then he told her in confidence Of the
state Of MIR Gregory's affairs, and the
reason which bad probably deferred
Bertha from ouilay for a 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 tina,
gli,ters.
A week after this the footman at the
Gregorys brought up n card to the par
lor for Miss Bertha. and the gentleman
is waiting below in the drawing room"
Bertha glanced a, the card and saw
Hugh Ainsl~y" inscribed thereon
Did You say this was for me. john
abe asked, thinking it might have beer
intended for Lena
Yes. ma am. lie said Miss Bertha
replied the servant.
Lena poGtei q, this She had though
be had made a mistake, and an angr,
frown ciouded her face as Bertha de
seconded to the drawing room
Was i, me you wished TO see. Mr.
Ainslcy?" she asked after salu,ing him.
at was you yourself Why permit
me 10 inquire
II thought II nigh, be one Of John
blunders, and tina; sister Lena WAS thu
one desired" said Bertha
mo. Miss Bertha. it is you with whom
have special business. he said. a, th,
same time watching the sudden enlarge
ment Of her blue eyes when he said busi
Ness.
For several years, Miss Bertha, ~,
been searching in the circle Of my &C
Qusintance for n noble, truehearted wo
man 10 ask 10 become my wife ! hav,
a Just been fortunate enough 10 find her
and have now come TO ask her il sh
will bear my name and share with ~
my earthly lot Bertha, you are tn
. chosen one. and my hearts best and pur
est affection lay Il, your feet Will vol
! answer Inc 'lcSE
give me time TO think, please: il i
: 90 sudden" she siammered. covering he
: face with her hands TO conceal he
bushes
Won shall have three whole month
D 10 consider the subject. then shall de
mand an unconditional answer" sai,
Hugh. drawing the hands from her fac
and pressing them to bis lips
% In thrce months Bertha decided to sa
Z ! Yes and their engagement was an
u nouuCrd 10 the gay world
Another three months and the ga
:; world was invited 10 their public wed
' ding IN church. After much coaNin
] Lena was prevailed upon 10 be Bertha
I bridesmaid, but ii was a bitter disar
Il pOintmrut to stand in that place, instea
Of next 10 the groom
= In after years She learned that Bertha
y 'old ball dress" had Turned the scale il
e favor Of her and won Hugh Ainsley
+ lie reasoned that the daughter VIII
n would sacrifice her own desires for tn
sake of lcssening the burden weighin
upon the shoulders Of her father coul
= not fail to make true wife.-BuffAl
Il News
A Daring Gunner.
= My battery participated in the battl
% Of Pea Ridge on March Q. and 8. 1856.
- Thomas Davis, a private. acting as No.