Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-10

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are worth. You shall have an allow
ance, and chuOse how much it shall he
yourself. Ii You cannot tell how much
-ou wish, ask your mother to decide,
and that shall be all your own to spend,
or to give way, just as you please. Ny
little wife does not think am misery, l
hope p
% no. no indeed you are only too
generous, and think l shall like it very
much. Only think L shall have-a banker
of my own. and draw
Every quarter, without fear of fail
ure.'
So both were satisfied and HeSse, so
far from thinking her husband miserly,
felt an increased Importance when she
drew her first quarters allowance the
next week. IL seemed an inexhaUS,ible
sum, as she counted it over and turned
the key of a small jewel casket upon it,
taking out two bright eagles. which we
are sorry 10 say, melted fairly away un-
der the temptation of an opening she was
to attend that morning.
Three weeks of the quarter only had
passed, when We find her at Bailey 5,
ostensibly to leave an ornament requir-
ing slight repair, but really because it
was pleasant place to trife away an
hour or so, where her fine taste was sure
to be gralifed by the display of some
novelty +; for the shopman had leaned il
was well worth while to place them be-
fore her.
The set of ornaments now produced
were worthy of careful scrutiny. Il was
not SO much the beauty of the design,
that, in fact, was questionable, but the
aoUelty and the exquisite workmanship.
The style-gold, without any settings
had Just been introduced, since Hesse's
bridal presents indeed, so that she had
not even bracelet so arranged. The
sci displayed before her shone in the
very best light on their cushions of pure
white satin; the brooch, the bracelets, or
heavy watch chain, and rarer than all,
bandeau for the head. in the form of a
serpent, every scale wrought with strong
dehcacy, and TIE eyes large and valua-
bic diamonds, set singly, yet flashing
brilliantly at the least motion.
The shopman raised The glittering
bauble, and twined it carefully throug h
his hand.
Just notice the chasing, if you please,
Mrs. Ralslon; we have no workmanship
like that in this country. You can i'm
agine the effect, displayed On rich dark
hair like yours ; see, it is to encircle The
braid at the back of the head. This is
the only set We have imported
There must have been some fascina-
ton in those glittering ewes Mrs. Raj
sion seemed TO feel lis effect.
What is the price, did you say . she
asked, eagerly.
Only hundred and fifty dollars
We make nothing at all By it; but must
have these things for our best customers,
rather than lose our reputation for style.
Did you remark the peculiar links of The
bracelet? We have another in the case,
something in that style, but much iDfe
rior. We cannot afford TO sell it as low
as this comes, however, in the whole set
Every one is delighted with the idea of
that bandeau, though it has scarcely
been seen yet. Mrs. Butler was looking
at it this morning, and | should not be
at all surprised if she takes it fer her
daughter tie wedding comes off next
week, l believe it will make superb
bridal present.
Never since the FIRST temptation. was
woman so sorely tiled By a serpent's fas-
cinaiion. Mrs Ralston had ordered her
dress only this morning for that very
wedding. She had worn every set of
ornaments in her possession; the setting
of her diamonds was so heavy and un
graceful that even THEN value could not
counterbalance it. She would persuade
her husband 10 have it altered in time,
meanwhile. o, the bandeau was so
novel; how complete it would make her
proposed costumel She had inwardIy
resolved to possess it before she laid il
down but she would not order it then,
for Mr.. Ralston had expressly stipulated
the only conditicn-ihe only condition
of lis allowance-lhat she was not to
contract a debt even for day, and the
remainder of the first quarter was al
home in the little blue lined casket.
The shopman looked disappointed at
her apparent indifference, but was new
ertheless. too discreet 10 betray it. as he
saw her with many bows and smiles to
her carriage; while the richly dressed
ladies, not in her set, who thronged the
counters, locked after her envicusly, and
said 10 each other: The bride, Young
Mrs. Ralston, Real India, that shawl, ,
in murmurs that made others look up,
as the horses spurned the pavement in
their quick, impatient movements.
There was, withal, an underlined and
secret uneasiness. as Mrs. Ralston re-
viewed the numerous jewel cases that
filed her dressing-table drawer that
evening. Surely her taste ought to be