The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1869-03-27
The Diamond Cross.

.t4t ~ H. o.
A young sirl stood al, a jewellers counter
cxamips With eager eyes the gems SO cntcng-
ly arraycd. There were all manner of pre-
Sious stones, rare and dazzling aud pure pale
pearls, and creamy cameos. All were bcauti-
full, and Agnes turned her gaze from one to
another unable to decide which was the most
desirable, till suddenly small cross set with
diamonds. aud twincd will. = delicate vine,
flashed its starry light in her eyes.
See, mother, scc that beautiful, beautiful
cross r., she exclaimed. Il would rather have
that than all the other jewels in the ease
''It is very beautiful" said her mother. but
diamonds arc far too grand for my Agnes, and
far too expensive for her fathers means"
"Whsttis,the price," shc asked the clerk.
hoping. that her mother had over estimated it.
"Fiye hundred dolars," was the answer.
With one more look at the coveted treasure,
Agnessturncd away feeling that it was useless
TO hogs to possess it yet the Thought of it
would MT lc,vc her and she went home rest.
less and dissatisfied.
That evening, soon after the lamps were
lighted, the ,lour bell rang, and presently the
arrxant. brought in small package, and with
it a note addressed TO Agnes Breaking the
seal, the young girl found it to be from a
much loved uncle who stated that unrccn by
her hcshal chanced to enter the jcwelry store
at the time she was so eagerly admring tho
diamond cross, and to crafty himself, as well
H. L.. Il -
her. The note closed with these words:
"If ever this gitt becomes indeed cross, do
not hesitate to dispose of it."
Agnes, could scarcely believe that it WAS not
all dream, and her fingers trcnibled as she
loosened the wrappings.
of ever this gift becomes indeed cross, y
she repeated rs she lifted it from its dainty
case rWhut could my uncle mean = and
then as the diamonds threw out their slender
Jets of light, she forgot al else in wandering
admirution.
For many days the dia,noud cross was II
source of much delight There was scarcely
a lover of gems ia the town who had not
looked at it with longing eyes AS it spnrklcd on
its downy cushions in the jewelers. case, and
when they learned that Agnes had become its
happy possessor, they thronged about her with
warm congratulations. 1t was not long, hoa-
ever, before there reached her, many invidous
remarks made by the very friends who had
seemed 30 sincere in their admiration Of her
unclcs costly gift. One said that it was en-
tirely unsutcd to her style of face aud dress
another suggested that she probably knew that
-hcr wealthy relative was within hcarug at the
time she expressed her wish for the cross; and
one even hintcd that, after all, the diamonds
were nothing but paste. Agnes sensitive
heart was sorey wounded, and afraid of ex-
citing more remarks Of a similar nature, she
soon ceased to wear the cross in public con,
tcnting herself ith adn,ring it in secret.
One morning there was quite an excitement
made by the report that burglars were in the
neighborhood, and TINT several large robberies
had been committed the previous night. On
inspection it was found that al attempt had
been made to break through ono of the base
mcnt windows of Agnes home, but the iron
b,rs refused to yield. Agnes first thought
vos of her treasurc-hcr cross. What if they
had succeeded in entering, and had robbed her
of that. Apd the fear that something of the
kind might come to pass, so troubled her mind
that She could take no peace or rest when the
cross was not with her. Unwilling to be seen
wearing it. she fastened q ribbon to the case
that held it aud during TIC dsy kopi il eon-