Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-23

"And this news. I suppose is death
blow to my hopes concerning those orna
ments want so much from Debris ?''
'tI cannot possibly get them for you a
present, Lena. have already laid ou
an enormous sum on your wedding para
phrenalia."
"But have set my heart upon these
sc You look full as well without them,
and I can get them perhaps after youl
marriage"
Pooh mother, they are only a few
hundreds. Don't pretend you can't af
ford it."
"Well cannot, Lena. and it is useless
TO say anything more about it. Lord
Melville will, doubtless, make you a pre-.
sent on your wedding-day."
Not he," said Lena scornfully. "He
is certainly the closest man with regard
to money matters, ever saw. One
would think, with all his wealth, he aoossld
have made some elegant presents. Ne
yer mind, when become Lady Melville,
he'll find some of his purse-strings broken,
I fancy" And laughing, Lena bade her
mother goodnight, and sought her cham
Der.
The next mornings mail brought AL
ice letter; and as the post-mark was
strange to her, she concluded it must be
from Harvey Hale. Dreading the scorn
and ridicule of Lena on such discovery,
she sought the drawing room and flung
herself into large chair, believing her
self the sole occupant ofthe room. Tear
ing off the envelope, what was her Joy
and surprise to find she had won the prize
for which she had contended, and the let
ter contained the bank-notes for the same.
AS Alice perused the letter, and drank
in the encouraging economiums of the
editor from whom it came, her heart
swelled gratefully, and tears gushed to
her eyes as she thought of the mother
who would have SO Gondly shared her de-
light in its reception, now lying pulseless
aud cold in her tomb.
AS she dwelt upon her memory, the
thought again crossed her mind of the
packet her mother had enjoineI her to
read, and which, as yet, she had left un-
opened.
9 will turn my attention to that this
very day" she said. half aloud. ''I have
already TOO long neglected it,
AT this moment. Lena entered the room.
(" L have been looking everywhere for
YOU" said she, coming eagerly forward
and seating herself by Alice's side"
Why did you run off here all alone?''
"Did you wish to see me for anything
in particular ?'' inquired she. bending for
ward and turning her beautiful eyes
kindly on Lena's face.
{" 1 only wished to tell you of my trou-
bles.'' was the reply, while a half smile
crossed the speakers lips. You re-
member those beautiful ornaments we
saw at Debris 20
The pearls Yes"
"My heart was set on them, and here
DumUnd must needs write of business
difficulties just at this time. and mother
refuses to get them for me. Isn't this
vexatious 90
" But You have so much jewelry, Lena
dear. Can't you arrange what you
want out of what you have %
g Mercy, no. What an idea! 1 want
Just those, and | must hare those. Ican't
make up my mind to do without them, -
and Lena dropped her head upon Alice's
lap. and shed a burst of vexalious tears.
&c There. Lena, there-don't," said
Alice, soothinsly. Lift up your head
and save your tears for something more
worthy of them"
&c Yes. it is very well for you TO talk
thus, who never knew what it was to care
for nything of this kind. If you loved
me as you pretend TO do. you would not
talk so.''
No. no, dear Lena" said Alice,
soothingly. but was thinking of buy
ing them for you, as present"
Pardon me, Ally. but didn't know
it was in your power; that is, 1 thought
'.Just So" said Alice, with smile. as
Lena paused in confusion. ''You wonder
where got the means to make such pre-
sents. This was the amount, dear Lena.
received for my prize story, and'-
Lena sprang suddenly to her feet, and
deadly paleness overspread her fea-
lures, as she dropped the notes on the
floor, and exclaimed
81 cannot touch it, Alice cannot
accept it now, had no idea it was this
money"
Why, what ails you ? are you ill 81
returned Alice. ~ hat has come over
you 90 she continued, as Lena, trembling
like leaf, sank upon a chair and burst
into passionate flood of tears.
etShe suffers from e-stroke,
suppose" said Il deep voice near them,
and Mr.. We're, who had been witness
ofthis scene from a shadowed window
seat where he had been reading. stood
before them.
How dare you speak thus to me ?''
cried Lena, turning face white with
passion toward him. '.It is high time that
we part company. sir. as it is not very
agreeable TO cherish an enemy under ones
own roof"
eve shall part company soon. Miss
Forrest. and by that time you will posi-
bly, be able to understand my apparent