The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-26

acquaintance of stephen Grey, brother of Ella Grey, whom she had met when he had formerly visited at Rose Hill and who, during the absence of How ard. came with horses and dogs and spent some two months at his brother in-law's place hunting and making him. self at home there because: Oh, it was all the same thing-Howard would not care"
 Stephen was dissipated young man, utterly worthless, and on the lookout for a rich bride. He amused himself w4su Eugenia but held off from proposing mar riage as inquiries had convinced him that the Deanes had no money of their own to speak of Still Eugenia had so persistent ly given out that she was to inherit the fortune of her fabulously rich old uncle out in India that Stephen thought he might take her for his wife should no bet ter match offer. He would prefer cer- tainty to a Acontingency, but the contin- gency of rich uncle's death was worth while keeping in reserve.
 Great was the rage, grief, anger of Uncle Nathaniel when Howard Hastings found him in his Indiana home and dis closed to him all the trials through which Dora had passed and told him of all the duplicity of Eugenia. It was agreed that the two should return together to Amer ica and, confronting Eugenia with her cruel and perfidious conduct, rescue Dora forever from the clutches of the family which had so long oppressed her. Ma thaniel Deane was much pleased with Hastings and suspected, as Mrs. Elliot had, that he loved Dora. On the long voyage home Howard had a chance 10 look deep into his own heart and finally confessed to Nathaniel that he was now sure of his love for the orphan girl.
 well, propose to her as soon as wa arrive. I am willing. Dora shall be my daughter. AS for Sarah l do not blame her so much: she is weak woman. Alice, 1t seems, has always treated Dora fairly well. But as for that Eugenia I will punish her, see if don't" On their arrival they found Mrs. Elliot and her charge at the formers country place on the Hudson. It can be imagined with what joy Dora welcomed her uncle and what her feelings were when she was told for the first time of all that Eugenia had done against her Her own happiness. however at seeing her uncle was such that she felt that she could forgive Flu genia for all that naughty girl had done against her.
 And when one evening, soon after their return, Howard Hastings told her of his love and she accepted him as her hus- band, she was so much at peace with all the world that they had hard work 10 persuade her to consent toseven the mod- crate punishment which. Howard and Nathaniel had contrived for Eugenla. Stephen Grey learned that his father. who had removed from Philadelphia 10 New York. was on the verge of bank ruptcy, and, having been unable to marry richer girl, pressed his suit with Eu- genia.
 She had met Howard Hastings since his return, but his manner toward her waS such that her faith in her ability to cap ture him for husband was beginning to be shaken. Therefore she gave a favor able answer to Stephens proposal but fixed upon a distant date for the mar riage resolved, In the meantime, to mako one last desperate assault upon How ard. If this was successful she could, of course, break off her engagement with Stephen. Then one day she received Q shock.
 She had written to say that she must return at once to Dunwood-it was not proper thar she should stay longer with Mrs. Elliot now that MT. Hastings had returned. But Dora wrote back to say that Howard was to be married in a few days, and that she must stay and attend the ceremony. Eugenia ragged and wept. Whom could 1t be that Hastings was to marry? Then came a letter saying that Howard was to be married the next day, and would come at once with his wile to Rose Hill, to which place many of the Dunwood people had been invited to meet the bride. Eugenia, of course, must bo at the reception.
 When she entered the great drawing room and saw Dora arrayed in her orange blossoms and her bridal veil and gown Eugenia turned faint She could only gasp out Dora Deane! Dora Deane:' ands tottered from the room. Somehow she managed to get back to Locust Grove. and dispatched a messenger at once for Stephen Grey. Eugenia was woman of action. and did not let the grass grow under her feet when her spirit was aroused.
 Stephen answered her summons and was delighted to hear her say that they would be married at once. He had just received letter saying that the crash had come in his fathers financial affairs and joyfully embraced Eugenia and the prospects held out to him by that mythi- cai will of Uncle Nat They were mar ried the next day and then came to tho Deane home Howard Hastings and Uncle Nathaniel Stephen had not told his bride that his father was bankrupt and he a pauper, so the thought that she was the wife of the son of a very rich man par tlaily sustained her when Uncle Nathan iel revealed himself to her and confronted her with the evidences of her duplcity. But when informed of the Grey failure she was completely crushed.
 Uncle Nathaniel relented enough ultl- mately to help Eugenia and Stephen in their poverty and distress. To Alice and Mrs. Deane he made a moderate allow ance, but Dora was his love and his heir. With her and Howard he made his home and many of Dora's children came to play about his knees and call him grandpa"
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