` 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 to call Mother , but she would not let me . She went away to her own room , trailing along the dark hall in her dress and veil , and locked herself in . `` Well , I told it all to the others in some fashion . You can imagine their anger and dismay .
Your father , Amy -- he was a hot-blooded , impetuous , young fellow then -- XXXXX at once to seek Willis Starr .
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