The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-02

back from the house which was Miss Vere's
temporary home. with the feeling of one who
has received great and sudden blow-at1
overpowering shock. He had been complete
ly and utterly mistaken, then, from the be-
ginning Of their brief acquaintance. Lizzie
had never loved him--never cared for him
more than the rest of her gay young suitors
1t was curious how his eye and mind noted
] the trivial external things that surrounded
him, as he walked mechanically along-the
very eurb-stones SO sharply defined in the
brilliant M naoonlight-the strange, weird shad-
ows on. the ground. Even while his heart
was breaking, he saw all these things.
| What was it that lsparkled and glittered so
| in yonder door-step? #st {.
| d He paused, d,involuntarily-i was Miss Vere,s
diamond cross.
With bitter smile he took the costly trink-
ct up--a, smile to- think how he had seen it
! sparkle on her pearl-white nec., all tie even
! ing-as bright and marvellous as her smiles.
Here it was, sparkling on, but the smiles were
all withdrawn .a.e.-
He calmly retraced his steps, and asked the
footman if Miss We're had gone to her room.
,r," No, sir-she is in the drawing room."
stammered the bewildered menial, and Eyer
ton assembled the stairs as quietly as if he had
been making morning call.
Lizzie was there, still in the same position
her face hidden in the cushions, and her
hands clasped tightly yitogether. She looked
up. with nervous start, as he entered
."i" Pardon me. for disturbing you Miss We're
here is your diamond cross. found it ~
ing in the street, and, knowing that you priced
it very highly, l took the liberty of bringing
it to you, even at this late hour!''
Lizzie put her hand mechanically to her
throat, as if unconscious that the ornament
was not still hanging there. Mrs. Montagu
took tho jewel from Egerton's hand, with
many polite thanks, and he turned slowly
away. As he passed through the doorway
afaltering, almost inaudible cry struggled up
from Miss Vere's passion-tossed heart.
g Charles! Mr.. Egerton +" -.
But he never paused, nor turned back In
the naughty innate pride of his heart, he went
onward, as if he had never heard the wall,
and left her sobbing on her friends shoulder.
/, ~, *-srf s =. r.-.: *,sr - s. H7s
Very gratifying to welcome you once
more to your native land, Mr. Egerton, after
SC. prolonged an absence !" said the dried up,
little, old aman of business,'' who had re-
course to his snuff-box between every other
word. "Iibeg your pardon, sir, 1 keep for
getting that you have assumed your grand
unce's name, I assure you, Mr.. Molyneux,
you will find the property inivery excellent
order !''-ta EiTa.lt.15 ff it.fe s'l9E@ = y
Charles Egerton had never thought when
'heleft his country ten years ago, of returning
the heir. to immense wealth. Time had
bronzed his cheek and given new fire to his
ege-it had converted the ardent and impetu-
Gus youth into the cool, thoughtful, man of
the world. -,laz.t .5.5y s.lj -s8 i,sist si lTo
''-" Yes, sir, yes" went on the agent "there's
a great dealof responsibility in coming into
such an estate. as this. suppose you would
like to dispose of your share in the city firm
as)soon as possible, as you are not aabusiness
man. By the way, sir, one of your heaviest
debtors died a few weeks since-a clear, case
of failure and broken heartfelt an only
daughter very fine girl ~. n 3. 10 1.a.I s.,,
HAh, indeed ?' said Molyneux, absently.s ,t
Z st,It'Very fine girl sir-declares that her faith.
4er's creditors shall be paid to the very, last
cent, if. she leaves herself penniless.-
Wouldn't even retain her own Jewels, sir. L
told her the harpies of the. law couldn't touch
'em, but she insisted on giving up every
thing. beleve Pve got one or two little
trinkets about me now that I was intending
to have valued at the jewelers.. See here,
sir % t-.g e. E.y
ao The old man extended tiny box to Mr..
Z zMolyneux-he opened it carelessly, and there
gHttering and sparkling like a thing of light
on its satin bed, lay a rare old diamond cross 1!
4 He turned as pale as ashes-the lawyer ut
tered an exclamation of terror and apprehen-
sion.s 9ea'A ~. -. '''3z
- You are i'll, sir-let me call the servants"
ia sit is .nothing-nothing whatever. This
poor girl-what did you say her name was ?'
-'Tere, Slr-MlSS Nere.'' +!tt N -..-'-.+ t'-
q" She is orphaned and poor? l?'' asF sao
Yes, sir-totally alone. The few summer
friends that had adhered to her in the time of
her prosperity have all deserted her one by
one, and---'' 70 t5 ; ursol nj eHsG as.} IS
9A"W hat is her address Pr sfa2 u
The agent felt il his pockets for tiny card.
Mr.. Molyneux rose as he received it. ~ .,r, Il
2ss'Will you trust me with this trinket for a
little while ?" ars ffodi 1a saas d z'3 .a-
Certainly, sir,n answered the puzzled
agent, secretly debating in his inmost mind
whether his new client was notsa 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 was a bet
ter beautylin her face than the fresh bloom of
long ago. She had passed through a. fiery
ordeal, and come thence eDnobled and puri-
I fed. :. Ses' . ..''a' ~ -
| She. rose, qpietly, to receive Mr. Molyneux,
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.
I" Lizzie dear Lizzie l''', -.
At the sound Of those familiar accents the
color surged back into her,cheek and the bril-
4 lance to her eyes, seH iassg apt4 . e9 ~
"oh, Charlesl thought you were gone
from me forever!'' f.l';r,, r.
is hen you love me, sweet one Pr 81
/