The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1905-03-15
COPHETUA
TO DATE
BY KATE NJ. Cfeory
Copyright, 1904, by Kate NJ. Cleary


Ellis had made fortune In the Klon-
dixie and was coming back 10 his native
town. And the general supposition ex-
.sted that he was returning In quest of
a wife. There were those who, recalling
the boy and girl love affair between
him and Lesda Revere, smiled signlti-
eantly. But there were others who
ayerred that both had been too young
and inexperienced at the time of their
parting TO attach Importance to the
youthful romance.
Ferguson, the town banker, portly
and prosperous. striding down the main
street one delicious summer morning.
met his niece on her way to give mu-
sic lesson and stopped to tease her n
trifle over the situation.
"Lesda. Gordon Ellis is expected
back next week."
so I've heard, Uncle Bruce"
The tone was nonehalant, but she had
colored rosily up to the crisp. reddish
gold curls around her white forehead.
1T will be great thing for Linden
Vile II he decides to settle down here.
/ hope" with ponderous archness. that
you will try to persuade him"
The flush faded. leaving her looking
pale-and very proud.
Il shall have nothing to say In the
matter" she answered coldly. ut is
unlikely that shall even meet him"
NONSENSE Ferguson cried. drop
ping his rallying air. "Of course you
will! Well all have chance to renew
our old acquaintance with as fine Il fell
low us ever struck out to make his for
tune. Marian is to give big welcom-
Ing dance for him. Hortense Is eager
for pleasure. you know" he added le-
nlently. 'and we like to indulge her"
Lesda nodded. eyinclng polite inter
married her uncle twelve months pre-
vious she and her aunt had lived with
Bruce Ferguson, directing his house
hold. But with the coming of bride
possessed of a grown daughter all this
was changed. So Lucinda Ferguson,
having got together her few heirlooms
and some furniture. had moved into
little house she owned on the outskirts
- Tie rich, bustllng manufacturing
town.
The new mistress and her daughter
We're left In victorious possession. and
Bruce Ferguson. with a mans ohtuse=
ness, did not realize what the inevita-
bic change In their manner of living
must mean to such fastidious women
as his sister and niece. He had set
tied an income on Lucinda, but Lesda
declared that her music teaching would
bring her In all the money she would
require. OF the dcprivations and
makeshifts necessary to present a Sc
rene front to critical world neither
spoke.
$50 you'll surely come" Ferguson
went on breezily. I'm going TO do the
thing in fine style=have music and
down from Chicago and all
that sort of thing"
The expression of proud reserve
deepened on the countenance of LeSda
Revere. She had an odd, exquisite
style OF beauty foreign to her class
and nationality. While her features
were not classically perfect. there was
about her face look of spirituality,
of distinction, that attracted and held
Il hope you'll have n beautiful tlme,t
she said courteously. but | shan't
go, Uncle Bruce"
lie stared at her moment In puz-
fnI hn 10 hau ri
lily and brought his clinched fist down
in the palm of the other hand.
Nothing to wear, I'll bet nickel!
Poor Miss Flora McFlimsey" For he
saw by her quick, irrepressible smile
that he had guessed right. well, you
you ready made from the city at that.
Why, Hortense won't wear thing
that's made In Lindenville! Now.
you'll promise to come? Well. what
Is it,"
She had been about TO speak-t9 ask
him to permit her to choose the gown
herself. But, after all, what right had
she to make suggestions to him? Was
be not exceedingly generous to promise
her costume Mt allf
Nothing, except that you are mighty
good to think of such n thing! Yes
I'll Gomez
That's right he commented cor
daily and passed on.
Not until the very morning of the
day set for the important function did
the expected box arrive. Hortense
and her mother had been up in the
ordering their own attire.
They had doubtless bought this Mt the
same time. But, although she had read
In grateful amaZement the sum men
toned on the receipted bill that had
been forwarded to her by mail. it was
with heart prophetically filled with
doubt that Lesda opened the box,
while her aunt looked over her shout
der. Layer after layer OF tissue paper
was laid aside. Lesda shrank back
with little cry of dlsmay as the
cleaning, lustrous. costly fabric was
revealed
What have | done to make Uncle
Bruce's wife and daughter dislike me
so?" she whispered. ''They know-you
know, Aunt Lucinda-that | can never
wear such a shadei'
Lucinda Ferguson shook her head.
Tears of disappointment came into her
gentle old eyes as she gaZed down on
the expensive robe. 1t was of raw,
crude. bricklsh pink-the very last hue
that girl with hair the copper color
Sf Lesda's dare wear.
The girl laid back the layers of It's
sue paper with fingers that trembled.
I'm sorry. because Uncle Bruce
meant SO well. And then" with lips
that would culver. Il get chance to
go to dance 50 seldom
The long, hot. golden day Jagged
by. Never had the giving Of music
lessons seemed SO tedious nor had the
pupils ever appeared so tlresome.
Coming home just as the relentless sun
was dropping down the west, the girl
frightened with wan pleasure at sight
Df the little old gray cottage she called
home. In the house she knew would