Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-12-18
From The .Nstc York Mercury.
THE LOSr BRACELET.
By A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

through one ot the prihcIpai SHeets Vi ~
York, accidentally discovered beauu-
ful bracelet, LAYING where IL was IN lmni'
nent danger of being crushed beneath the
feet of those who passed-an accident
which prevented, however, at The peril
of my fingers, which came near being
ground beneath the feet Of stout Hlber-
lisn, Il was evidently OF superior work
manship, the design representing colled
serpent, copy from one OF those that
have for ages slumbered within the ruins
Of that ill-faled city, Pompeii, Carefully
| deposited ii within the folds of my val.
et,heierring lis examination until should
reach my place of destination; there, upon
closer inspection, discovered tue initials
+. }, beautifully inscribed upon the inner
dining, Already, in my Imagination, |
beheld lis fair owner; and during the day,
whenever had occasion 10 raise the lid
ol my desk. where had deposited it, lis
lille ruby eyes would & are q. me, as
though il were endowed with vitality. |
remember, once or twice, OF Withdrawing
iny hand. when had been searching tor
Some article within the desk, as though 1t
were really the poisonous reptile II repre-
sented.
Undoubtedly, thought l, its loss will be
noticed IN some OF the morning papers;
and then | shall have the privilege Of re-
storing II 10 It's fair owner with my own
bands. even became possessed Of de-
sire to behold her whose arm it had graced.
The morrow came, but the papers bore
no clue to the missing property. Again,
hut with the same result; another day ,and
had nearly relnquished the hope when
discovered the hong soughIfor paragraph,
which read as follows:
"Losr,-On Tie morning If the 9Th, a
gold bracelet, representing serpent. On
,he interior the initials f.. J. Whoever
will return the same 10 lis owner, No, II
- street will be rev warded."
resolved to defer my visit unIil even
ing, as had engagements that required
my liae during The day. That day was
10 me as it has often appeared 10 Others.
when some event IS abou, to hSnspire OF
more than ordinary interest. The old
story of iengthened hours, ETC.; but why
tis interest! had nothing TO expect,
surely. | would restore the property: she
would acknowledge her obligations, per-
hsps offer 10 remuneraIe me. God Tor
bid; and the interview would close with a
formal Good evening" | anticipate.
Evening came. My business had con-
fined me some hat later than usual; IN
deed, it was nearly ten o'clock before
was ready for my departure, and had 1t
not been for those long, weary hours.
would have deferred my visit another day
In halt all hOur,l was set down IN --
street, where | soon found the Number.
The building was one of those structures
Of earlier days that once held claims to
magn!ficence, En nnmIsiakeable AR OF
neainess surrounded it. | ascended lhe
broad flight of steps, and rang the bell. |
heard lis iinkingS, as they died away in
hollow murmurs and awoke echoes with
in hall and corridor. Fooisteps-then
the lnrnng Of key within The lock, and
he door was opened.
had been seated but moment, when
she, whom al once Judged To be the Ow-
ner Of the bracelet, entered, followed
hy al elderly gentleman, whom snon
learned 10 be her father. All the forms
my Imagination had previously conJu'ed,
scarcely eqvaled hers. in paint of beauty
| arose, and stated the object OF my visit
apoIogIzlng for my intrusion at so late an
hour, and was received by both parties
with a grace and dignity that seldom
meet. She expressed her thanks for the
favor ] had conferred, as the article was
priced by her, not for It's intrinsic value,
but as a gift.
Conversation then turned upon other
subjects, in all Of winch she partOok with
an sptn SIS that betrayed cultivated
mind. Whenever our eyes met. thought
could detect. in their lowering express
sion, something more than the mere In-
terest the circumstances of our meeting
would elicit. | was aware that several
times, in the course of our conversation.
my feelings had BETRAYED themselves. |
Hled TO smother the love thai had already
taken possession Of my heart, thinking
that the fact of our being strangers was
sufficient to close every avenue, BY which
] might endeavor 10 prolong our intimacy.
Notwithstanding the lateness Of The
hour. noticed no inclination on their par,
10 discontinue the conversation. but, on
the conr ~, the interest increased, until
The musical tones of clock told the hour
of twelve. With feelings of regret, to
think that this would probably be my last
interview with her had already learned
10 idolize. | arose TO depart. with many
assurances that although a trifling incl
dent had caused our first interview, and