The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-11-05

neart was breaking, ne saw all THESE tnitlSS.
What was 1t that sparkled and glittered
SO in yonder doorstep.
He paused, involuntarily was Miss
Vere's diamond cross.
With bitter smile he took the costly
trinket up--a smile to think how he had
seen it sparkle on her pearl white neck, all
the EVENINGS bright and marvellous as
her smiles. Here it was, sparkling on, but
the smiles were all withdrawn
He calmly retraced his steps, and asked
the footman if Miss Vere had gone to her
room.
"No, sir--she is in the drawing room,''
stammcred the bewildered menial, and e ger
ton ascended the stairs as quickly as if he
had been maxim morning call.
Lizzie was there, still in the same position
her face hidden in the cushions, and her
hands clasped tightly together. Sho looked
up with nervous start, as he entered.
pardon me for disturbing you. Miss We're
here is your diamond cross. found il
lying in the street, and. knowing that you
priced it very highly, | took the liberty of
bringing 1t to you at this late hour"
Lizzie put her hand mechanically to hel
throat, as f unconscious that the ornamen,
was not yet there. Mrs. Montagu took the
jewel from Egerton's hand, with many po.
lite thanks, and he turned slowly away.
As he passed through the doorway, falter.
ing, almost inaudib::e cry struggled up from
Miss Vere's passion tossed heart.
"Charles! Mr.. Egerton.
But he never paused, nor turned back.
L.. the naughty innate pride of his heart,
he went onward, as if he had never heard
the wall, and left he sebbing on her friend S
shoulder.
Very gratifying to welcome you once
more to your native land, Mr.. Egerton. after
SO protracted an absence! !" said the dried
up, little old "m,n Of business" who had
recourse to his snuff-box between every
other word. 81 beg your pardon, sir,
keep forgetting that you have assumed your
grand-uncle's name. I assure you, Mr..
Molyneux. you will find the property in very
excellent order -
Charles Egerton had never thought when
he left his country ten years ago, of return
ing the heir of immense wealth. Time had
bronzed his cheek and given new fire to his
eye-it had converted the ardent aud i'm
petuous youth into the cool, thoughtful man
of the world.
Yes, sir, yes" went on the agent /;
rs there's great deal of respectfully in
coming into such an estate as this. sup.
pose you would like to dispose OF your share
in the city firm as soon as possible, as you
are not business man. By tho way, sir,
one Of your heaviest debtors died few
weeks since--a clear case of failure and
broken heartfelt an only daughter, a very
fine girl !"
"Ah, indeed ~ said Mo:yneux, abseutly.
"Very fine girl, sir declares that her
fathers creditors shall be paid to the very
last cent, if she leaves herself penniless.
Wouldn't even retain her own Jewels, sir.
told her the harples of the law couldn't
touch 'em, but she insisted on giving up
everything. believe I've got one or two
little trinkets about me now that was in
tending to have valued at the jewelers..
See, here, sir.
The old man extended tiny box to Mr.
Molyneux-he opened it carelessly, and
there, glittering and sparkling like thing
Of light on its satin bed, lay rare old dia.
mond crossl
He turned as pale as ashes--the lawyer
uttered an exclamation Of terror and appre.
henson.
"You are i'll, sir-lct me call the servants" ;"
at is nothing-nothing whatever. This
poor girl-what did you say her name was ?"
"Vere, sir-Mss Vere."
"Shc is orphaned and poor -
"Yes, sir-totally alone. The few sum-
mer friends that had adhered to her in the
time Of her prosperity have all deser ted her
one by one, and"
"What is her address %
The agent felt N his pocket for tiny
card. Mr.. Molyneux rose as he received it.
"Will you trust me with this trinket for
little while?"
Certainly, sir" answered the puzzled
agent. scarcely debating in his inmost mind
whether his ne client was not little crazed
as he watched him drive away from the
door.
Lizzie We're sat in her deep mourning
dress, all alone in the crimson glory of the
August sunset. She was pale, yet there
vas better beauty in her face than the
fresh bloom of long ago. She had passed
through fiery ordeal, and come thence
enobled and purified.
She rose, quietly, to receive Mr.. Molly :
neux, Of whom she had only heard as one
Of her poor fathers largest creditors. but
the instant her eye fell on his face she grew
pale.
"Lizze! dear Lizzie!'
At the sound of those familiar accents
the color surged back into her checks and
the briliance to her eye.
"Oh, Charles! thought you were gone
from me forever p
"Then you love me, sweet one ?"
"Alasl' she answered through her tears,
" have never loved any but you, Charles" !"
S.,loJ ho. -, s~,,c ,tl r.Io,. 49,