News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-08-30

In rny lOrGth | lit my mCCrSChduTn with
the obnoxious letter.
hind it, inasmuch as it chimed in with
what my own conscience tCld me. Only
it is one thing to be told ones duty
by ones conscience and another to have
it dictated by pompOus, purseproud
but, gently, | must not abuse my lady
loves father. He actually intercepted
my next letter to Ella and returned it
unopened, felt sure, without her
knowledge. Well | should see her at
the Sherburton Hunt ball, when l re-
solved | would offer her her freedom if
she chose to accept it.
Shortly after receiving the above
mentioned letter my luck in racing took
a turn, for Skittles won the first race
she ran in tho new year and inspired
me with the hope that she might do
something after all, her trainer report
ing that sho was much improved. 1t
was only Il small stakes at Four Oaks,
but was greatly elated, as may be
imagined. | gave Geraldine her pres
ent and had her down to stay with me
for the ball which took place at the end
Of the hunting season. A party of MS
drove over from the barracks in the
regimental drag, and Natty, who had
just been riding in their point to point
races, was to be there too. He took
me aside as soon as we met and told
me that, as | had placed the mare in
his hands, he had, with Pearce's con-
currence, entered her for the City and
Suburban-as the sporting reader will
be aware, one of the chief spring handi-
caps and great betting race-intelli-
gence which | received with lack of
interest that surprised my friend.
why, what's the matter, old chap"
he exclaimed. "One would think the
mare had gone amiss, or that the fair
Ella Tilted you'll Where did you dine?
You seem a cup too low. It's rather
early to attack the champagne, but -
Nonsense'' interposed, and then l
| told Nat about the returned letter and
what had been said about the racing.
Like his cheek, said Nat But
| the girl had nothing to say to that, you
| bet"
Until tonight had thought the same,
but now hardly knew, for the cause
Of my dependency was this: | did not
enter the ballroom until late, having sat
over the claret at the Digby Grand no.
tel, where we had dined, hearing about
the red coat race and being congratulate
ed upon my own success, and when |
did so Ella was dancing with Richard
Dakyn. | waited until the music ceased
and then went to ask her for the next
waltz, but she coldly said she was en-
gagged long way on. | thought she
was annoyed at my want Of gallantry
in being late, but soon saw it was some
thing more than that. Heavens, could
| it be that she was in concert with hel
| father, as he had limited in his letter
| saw that she danced a good deal witt
Dalyn, and the suspicion increased un
| til it became unbearable. | hardly
knew what to do with myself. l was
not sull1ing; it was nothing else thar
sheer sorrow of heart. Never till that
moment had | realized what it would
cost me to lose Ella. had come to the
ball in the full resolve to offer her he1
freedom for her own advantage, bu
with no thought that she was already
prepared to take the initiative. A
least, thought, almost with tears il
my eyes, she might be kinder over it.
could not dance with any one else il
! such state of mind. sought on
Geraldine, who was standing with Ma