The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-11-05
THE DIAMOND CROSS.
!" Are you ready, Lizzie ?"
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

i y ,
Mrs. Montagu came to tho door of her
fair young guests boudor, as she spoke.
In one moment, Alice. Take care, Jus.
tine, you have placed that spray of rosebuds
too low that will do"
! And Miss We're turned from the Paycnc
mirror mentally conscious that she was
looking exceedingly lovely. The sole orna.
ment she wore was slender chain 0. elab-
orately wrought gold about her throat, from
which was suspended superb diamond
cross, SO brilliant that, as it caugh! the flash
of the lights around, it seemed in white
against her neck.
81 wonder how many hearts will be led
captive in your train tonight. And by the
way, Lizzie" she added, "Iet me caution
you against getting too much interested in
that young Egerton. He's talented aud
handsome, i know, but then be hasn't cent
in the worldr"
Miss We're bent over the tassels Of her ivory
fan, apparently intent on disentangling he
silken cord, but Mrs. Montagu's watchful
eye perceived the rosy flush upon her fore
head.
As Lizzie's imperial young foot crossed
Mrs. Lisle's threshold her eye took in only
one face and form, IN all that rustling crowd
Charles Egerton was leaning against, pillar
beside the door.
| He was tall and strongly made, with one
of those faces which express great strength
Of will. lie was man, and he knew it,
even though young Lislington at his side,
was worth hundreds Of thousands, and he
possessed nothing. Conscious OF innate
power and genius. he vcilcl his stately brow
to none. Was it marvellous that Miss We're
should have felt the hidden magic Of his
! look and smile
All the evening he was at her side.
~ was just looking for you, Lizzie said
Mrs. Montagu. Who would have thought
of your hiding away in this secluded little
music room? Crawford declares it is time
to SO home. He's getting cross and unnaa-
ageable."
"Oh, I meant to tell you, Alice" said
Liazie, carelessiy twisting her glove, 9" it is
such beautiful moonlight night, that Mr..
| Edgerton and have decided to walk home.
Don't wait for u.s."
Mrs Montagu looked sharply from one to
the other, but there was no alternative but
to consent, So she smiled graciously, de-
clared she had outlived the age Of moonlight
and romance, enioined Lizzie not to be late
and tripped away, feeling extremely uneasy. ).
She had scarcely exchanged her ball dress
Of ruby velvet for light cashmere dressing
robe, and put away the cleaning opals in
their caslcts, however, before the door bell
sounded and Lizzie's light step caught her
ear. She ran down to the drawing-room to
meet her young guest.
"Lizzie! what is the matter -
For Lizzie had thrown herself sobbing on
the sofa, her face buried in the cushions,
and her hands clasped, like one in dire men,
tai agony.
At Mrs. Montasu's question she sat up,
put aside the heavy braids Of her hair that
had escaped from their fastening, and an
swered, pale and quiet:
"Charles Eserton has asked me to marry
him.
"And what answer did you make, love p
"What could say ?" CALCULATED the girl
wildly, 81 knew that you would none of
you listen to my marrying any but wealthy
suitor. God help me! knew it whom
first began to trae with that loyal heart.
told him it never could be-but oh ! Alice !!
If had never seen HIM !"
"My dearest, you have acted wisely"
said Mrs. Montagu, bending down to smooth
back the falling masses Of hair Forget
this bit Of girlish folly-begin life again !"
"But cannot forget it," she sobbad.
{" Alice, love him II
Impossible, Llzzie-a mere fancy"
81 suppose shall some day marry a
rich man." she went on with stony wide.
open eyes, all fearless now, and hands that
played Idly with her fading boquet, !" but l
shall never lore again."
She sank once more among the velvet
cushions in a shuddering silence.
Meanwhile Charles Egerton walked slow
ly back from the house which was Miss
vere's temporary home, with the feeling of
one who has received great and sudden
blow-an overpowering shock. He had
been completely and utterly mistaken. then,
from the beginning Of their acquaintance.
Lizzie had never loved him-never cared for
him more than the rest of her gay young
suitors.
TWAS curious how his eye and mind
tho trivial external things that surrounded
him rs he walked mechanically along the
very curb.stones, so sharply defned in the
brilliant moonlight tho strange, weird
shadows OH the ground. Even while his