I said . ` Has anything happened to Willis ? ' `` She made no answer , but walked to the fireplace , dropped the letter in a bed of writhing blue flame and watched it burn to white ashes . Then she turned to me . '' ` Help me take off this gown , Winnie , ' she said dully . ' I shall never wear it again . There will be no wedding . Willis is gone . ' '' ` Gone ! ' I echoed stupidly . '' ` Yes . I am not the heiress , Winnie . It was the fortune , not the girl , he loved . He says he is too poor for us to dream of marrying when I have nothing . Oh , such a cruel , heartless letter ! Why did he not kill me ? It would have been so much more merciful ! I loved him so -- I trusted him so ! Oh , Winnie , Winnie , what am I to do ! ' `` There was something terrible in the contrast between her passionate words and her calm face and lifeless voice .
I wanted XXXXX call Mother , but she would not let me .
Willis Winnie between burn for fortune gown in of to