Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-12-16
From ArthuTs Homo Magazine
THE MOTHERS BROOCH.
BY VIRGINIA F. TOWNSEND.
(COntiRned J

(COntiRued)
"a little more in the centre, Matte there,
now, the orange buds are just right. Oh,
don't they look exquisile!"
Don't they, though" and the two fair
young bridesmaids stepped back, and surveyed,
with looks of intense admiration, the blushing
girl who was to take upon herself, in about four
hours, the new name of wife.
She looked very beautiful as she stood there,
blushing up softly though the bridal veil she
was ''trying on" and whose embroidery fell all
about her, like some silver cloud that embosses
May sky at noon.
ave shall have a beautiful evening. Nam
ma was saying, this morning, she never saw
finer New Years day. All Genevra, darling,
it's good sign to have fair weather at ones
bridal"
SIS it Lottie I" responded the destined bride,
half abstractedly. "Come, girls, do take these
things of, and let me have little rest. You
don't know how worn out l am, with trying on
finery, looking at the cake, giving all sorts Of
orders, and kept in a state of constant excite
ment. declare if I'd known what work it was
to get married. don't believe I'd ever consent
ed, ever in the world"
The bridesmaids elapped their hands, and
peal of laughter thrilled the room and the
hall, and foated down the stairs, and caught
the ear Of a young girl who stood on the steps.
''Well, now, poor Genevra," said Lottie,
with a little kindly satire in her voice, while
she unclasped the bridal veil, ''as you have
martyrized yourself to this terrible work of get
ting married, do tell me what jeWelry you are
| to wear on the occasion"
Nothing"
Nothing :" echoed the bridesmaid, in dis
may.
Nothing except brooch Norman sent me
last Wednesday, for Christmas gift You see
he is not partial to jewelry, and would rather
wear very little"
"But the brooch, do pray, let's see it."
Genevra Wild stepped to her drawer, took out
a small pearl box, and handed it to her friend
"How strange how beautiful !" cried the
fair girls, as they bent over the rare brooch,
or held it up so that the sunbeams sprinkled
| its cluster of earbuneles, and leaves of emerald
Just then, Betty put her head inside the
door, "There's young lady who wants to
see you a few moments,very much, Miss Genev-
ra"
"Oh, dear who is she!" in tired, pettish
tones.
81 don't know, Ma'am l never seed her
| face before, but she is very urgent. I'm in an
awful hurry, too," answered Betty, whose long
services in the family gave her certain famil-
iarity with her mistress.
81 wouldn't see her, Genevra," interposed
| Lo5tie sit is probably some curious, intrusive
person who wishes to find out all she can about
the wedding Besides that, it's quite time we
| got to work at your hair"
''She says she won't detain you but minute,
and she wants to see you quite alone; SO
axed her into your Mas bedroom subjoined
Betty.
Perhaps Genevra's curiosity was a little
stimulated, and perhaps she was glaI of few
moments release from the dreaded process of
hair dressing, fer she said, after moments
thought, "Well, guess I'll see her girls-only
a moment, you know; !" and she hurried from
the room, down the stairs, and found there a
small, girlish figure, draped in black
! 81 heard you wished to have private inter-
view with me-" said the soft voice of Genevra
Wild; and she bowed with that grace so pecu-
liar to her.
"Yes;" the girls manner was Auttered, and
there was mingled eagemess and embarrass-
ment in her voice. hope you will pardon my
intrusion, but Mr.. Sells directed me to come
here, and l couldn't leave without seeing YOU"
| "Mr. Sells /! l think there must be some mis-
take"
"No: am certain this was the number
SSllS1 Oll 9li6cl1 JllC
one to whom l sold my mothers brooch"
Genevra started.
| "Your mothers brooch ~
| eyes; he said he remembered writing the
name himself, on the envelope of the box, as
the gentleman who brought it wished it sent
Immediately to Miss Genevra Wild"
| "And will you tell me what sort of brooch
it was !" asked Genevra, much interested.
at was a rose of carbunces, with leaves of
emerald. 1t was my mothers last gift" and
here the voice trembled, and tears forced them
selves into the speakers brown eyes. "Mr
Sells promised to keep it for me three months,
but the term expired two weeks ago, and had
not the money until now"
! 81 have a brooch like that you describe
friend brought it to me for Christmas gift, >"
said Genevra, and there was wonder and pity
in her tones, as she looked on the pale young
girl.
at must be the same would not have par
ted with it for the world, except t. except to
bury my mother" here Christiana Lynde broke
down utterly, and the tears chased themselves
over her soft thin cheeks.
Genevra was gently touched al knew
nothing of this" she answered, ''neither did the
friend who bought the brooch for me. And
now suppose you want it again"
quick, hungry eagerness kindled up the
large eyes of the girl "Oh, will give you ev.
cry dollar posses on earth for it. You see it
belonged to my grandmother, and she and my
mother both wore it to their bridals it almost
broke my heart to part with it as 1 did but
earned the money to regain it, and now
Her lips closed over these words, but her face
said the rest.
Aud Genevrs Wild looked at the friendless
orphan girl,whose only portion was her mothers
brooch, and she thought, as she had never
thought before, of the wide difference between
her guest and herself She felt then, for no
ment, what she really was; the spoiled, 5,eited
child of fortune, with all this worlds gifts pour
ed on her young head, even to that one which is
the crowning glory of woman's life. She felt
it, and the good rose up in the soul of Genevra
Wild. She stepped quickly to Christiana Lynde,
and laid her hand, most caressingly, on the
young girls shoulder. ''You shall have the
brooch" she said, "for you have a far bett,r
claim to it than 1, but should like it Just this
one night it is my bridal-are you not willing
l should wear I" and the tears came into the
ady's blue eyes.
"To be sure you shall,H cried the eager voice
of Christiana- "How shall thank you for this.
do not know as can pay you as much as you
gave the jeweller, but you shall have all have, %
and she drew out the purse.
Geneyra put it softly back 81 shall restore
tito you," she said firmly, hut with a smile that
made the words very sweet, without any re-
muneration. 1t is enough that you permit me
to wear the brooch tonight. 1t seems some-
how, as if there was holy influence about it. -
Poor GhriStioDa vuac she had all l.