Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1863-03-18

bracelet from Its velvet PED, anu claSpeu IL
on her fair, round arm. Just then step
was heard on the stairs, and hastily shutting
| the box, the little girl caught up her cloak,
and met Ellen as she opened the door,
= Your Mamma wishes you to wear this, Miss
May said the maid, holding beautiful er-
mine mantle; "She says it may be cold
when we are coming home, and she cannot
send the carriage for you as one of the horses
is lame.'
And here was the Sc scond temptation. She
could not drop her cloak for fear Ellen would
see the bracelet but wear the ermine man.
tie she must. Deception comes easily, and
there was but one way.
"Ellen," she said, II wish very much
ha boquet of some kind. Can you not get
me one?'
"There are some beautiful roses in the gar
den. and that bush of-whatever.you-call-it
all white blossoms, you know, is blooming;
but your Mamma told yon not to pull them
without her leave"
"Oh," returned May, she will not care
can explain it. Run down quickly, Ellen,
and get me q pretty bunch-that's good
girl"
Away went the maid always ready to do
her little mistress bidding; and May hastily
threw aside her cloak, and wrapped the er-
mnc mantle around her pretty white shoul-'
ders. Afraid to 60 down to the parlor lest
her mother should wish to inspect her dress
AS was quite natural-she stood by the win,
dow aud watched the passengers burrying
along the street below. Once something
whispered to her to take off the bracelet, but
she put the good angel of with "Just this
oae night;" and soon Ellen returned breath
less with the stolen flowers. For whatever
is taken secretly and without leave is certain
Is stolen. But poor little May did het think
about it in this light; she only knew that's
was determined TO wear the bracelet, and
never once dreamed of the many sins it
would lead to. They went down together,
and leaving the boQuet on the table in the
nall, May entered the parlor to bid her Moth-
er goodnight Her heart beat guitily, as
Mrs. Merton looked up from her netting and
said with smile
Dressed at last! Aud quite tastefnlly |
bave no doubt. Throw aside the mantle, and
q
let Ine'see vo,,, MaySie.
"Oh, Mamma, I lave on just what y"n
laid ont for me; the dress and sash and neck.
lace, and--and, besides it is so late.
The mother looked at her child the smile
f:,,ied from her face Not the words alone
panel her, but Tn, zone was decidedly impa-
tien,, and May had not been accustomed TO
speak thus Alas how che sin leads to an
other! Mrs. Merton turned 10 the maid.
Ellen, take good care Of your mistress, and
see that she is Well wrappcd-up before she
goes into the night air. You may go, my
daughter hope you will erjoy yourself"
The tears started into Mays eyes at these
words 4 good resolution rose in her heart.
but :t that moment the door bell rang, and
she heard Grace Eullers voice enqniring if
she were ready. 1t Was too late now, she
thought Goodnight, dear Mamma" she
whispered throwing her arms around her
mothers neck, and kissing her, I" Forgive my
inpatience - and she ran to meet Grace.
The large drawing rooms of Annie Lymans
princely home were blazing with light, and
gay with bright. faces and merry voices as
Grace and May reached the door. They were
greeted with great enthusiasm for both were
general favoriles. All eyes fell upon Nays
new bracelet, and many were the enquiries as
to who gave it, and whose hair it was, and
why she had not worn it before. TO all these
questions tine little lady replied with dignity,
and reserve; so much so that some Of the EN-.
vious went off declaring May Merton had
grown very vain ard naughty. The evening
passed pleasantly Annie Lyman the only
daughter Of wealthy and injudicious parents,
moved aDCuI uulOAS uCi heeiC 6uCoI' III GA
the glories of flounced carleton and the ru-
bv.bracelet. l have not time to tell all that
happened on that wonderful night long re-
membered by the girls and boys who partici-
pated in its pleasures nor how May laughed
and danced and played till Ellen came to tell
her it was after ten. But in all her mirth
aud Eghtness the bracelet was never forgot
ten; aud all the admirlls gances cast upon
il, aud all the compliments paid her by the
Young beaux in round-jackets and white
pants did not. ease the aching pain in her
heart. She had never deceived her mother
before, and the thought Of her gentle face
, and its painful surprise cankered in Nays
heart till she almost cried. She left tie
bright scene and her merry companions, and
sought the room where few Of the girls were
uu,!ing on their cloaks and hoods. Good
ua,urcd Lizzie Truman was there, and insist
el on Mays.riding with her rs she was alone
in the large family-conch. So Grace and
! Nav. dismssing their maids TO walk on, wait