, 1864-03-12
The Ebony casket.
ICONCL.TpED.l |

reappeared with the ebony casket in her
hand.
IL have mislaid the key of this casket,
Sir Everard." she said, placing it before
him; {" it contains something Of which |
stand in great need. Are you skillful
enough to take an impression Of the lock -
a strange request said the barOnct
in surprise.
"Women, you know, have strange fancies
at times" she returned win playful sar-
casm. You hesitate Us this II spcci-
men of your obedience!
"Oblige me with the casket, madam" p"
he said, with an air of resigned complai-
sance.
He tore sheet of paper from his nstc
book, and after careful manipulation OBJ
tanned the required impression and handed
it to her, saying, You are convinced now
of my docility."
"Scarcely," replied Grace, as she COM
pared the design with the model; Z" | have
"A still greater service in reserve for you"
"Name it. madam" he said.
GA key" she continued, " corresponding
with the impression you have taken. Nay
she added, observing he was about to inter-
rogate her, Il gave You no right to ques-
ton me. / exact your profered proof Of
devotion, passive obedience to my will"
BE it 50, replied Sir Evcrard, evidently
crestfallen; " i accept my office, since its
fulfllment will ensure me the pleasure Of
being near you again"
tom shall expect you" she
said, in constrained voice, and with for
NAL courtesy, US she rung the bell to sum
mon servant.
"You may rely upon me-" said the baro-
net, vainly striving to conceal his chagrin.
The entrance Of the servant brought the
interview to an abrupt close, and Sir Ever
ard took his leave with an apparent sense Of
humiliation.
When he left the house, Grace recalled
the servant to her presence.
did you admit Sir Everard D'Oyley|
she inquired.
Yes, ma am" she replied.
"And you introduced him into this
room ?" was her next question.
YES, madam. Sir Everard said he had
business with Mr.. Sherwood, and would
wait his return"
Z" He will call at this hour Tomorrow
said Grace; remember, am only WIS.,
ible to him." she added, with wave Of
dismissal to the servant
"Dues that smooth, silken fop think that
| have nothing to believe in, nothing to
venerate, nothing to hope for, but his adu.
lation:" soliloquised Grace. "No, the
good is not SO utterly dead in me, thank
Heaven. use him as | would a stone to
help me over muddy stream. Poor fool
he knows not the meaning of virtuous
woman's heart. should indeed he thing
iof seli.scom and loaih;ng could | be SO
debased" She took the casket once more
in her hands, exclaiming in tone Of tri-
umph, "To-mDrrOw, and ] shall know its
contents" Having returned it to its for
mer place, she assembled to her boudoir.
Mr. Sherwoods S evening toilet was scarcely
completed when Mrs. Rudderforth, tres
passing on the privilege of their old atfcc-
ton, entered the boudOir unannOunced.
Grace was at that moment absorbed in the
contemplation Of her new diamonds, but she
turned 10 her girlhood's companion with an
embrace Of genial welcome. An estrange-
ment ar ng from their different habits had
atterly widened into distance their former
friendship. The contracted space Of Clc-
mency's home circle was distasteful to Grace,
whilst on the other hand, Gn,ce's ostenta-
tious display was held by Clcmcncy in su-
preme indifference. Still, when they did
meet, their old love gushed in full life from
their beating hearts. After the first flow
of their mutual esteem had subsidized, the
eyes of Clemency rested on the diamond
necklace and bracelets.
How very beautiful" she said, taking
up the gems and regarding them with a
pleased look. L..
Il am glad you admire them" said
Grace, with a touch Of vanity. 81 shall
wear them for the first time at our next
and last ball this season." .
q Another new folly of your indulgent
husbands 7" said Clemency, slyly.
"0h, dear, no! replied Grace, with n
tinge Of asperity; "my indulgeht husband,
as you are pleased to call him, has not seen
them yet" .a..s
"Not seen them!" said Clemency with
a grave look. "Did he not purchase
them Z"
"There was no purchase" replied Grace |;
"but simply matter of exchange, in which
! did not deem it necessary to consult with
Mr.. Sherwood"
An exchange" exclaimed Clemency,