Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-04-29

! from Mrs Diapers was fashionable jewel
ry establishment, every window blaze Of
1 light. With her heart in her mouth Janet
entered, and glanced down the long line Of
gayly- dressed customers 1t would be halt
an hour at least, she saw, before she could
be waited on, and that would be too late. =
And after all, perhaps, Mrs. Draper might
let her have part of her monthly pay, and
she would not be forced to sell the emeralds
just yet Glad Of any pretext or excuse for
keeping her precious gems, she hurried from
the shop; but thoughts of her mother and
poor, disappointed little Alice brought the
binding tears to her eyes. Life was very
desolate. Alas what would the New Year
bring to her? She ran along briskly, with
dreadful aching at her heart, till sh-
reached the stylish residence Of her employe
"Oh, Miss Arbuthnot here you are, :"
cried Mrs. Draper, as Janet tapped at the
door of the dressing room. Come in, we're
in dreadful need of help. Agnes is in des
pair; no one can do her hair to suit her
will you have the goodness to try?
Janet laid aside her wraps, and approach
ing the superb beauty, who sat in an arm
chair opposite the mirror, magnifcently at
tired in gold coiored silk, began the task Of
arranging the ustrous. raven hair.
And now asked Janet, when her task
was done, and every braid was perfect,
what ornaments shall you wear |?
'Emeralds, of course. Green and gold
arc his favorite colors, you know, MOTHER
replied Agnes, smiling and blushing.-
There is the jewel case, Miss Arbuthnot.'
Janet opened it, and clasped the glitter
ing gems on neck and wrists. and hung the
cleaning pendants from the beauty's ears.
And what for your hair ?? she asked
who knows p replied the beauty, dis
contentedly. Flowers, l suppose. If only
| had emcralds to match my necklace
Pshaw ! she continued, as Janet held a
wreath of rose-buds against her jetty braids,
take them away They spoil everything
else. Nothing but emeralds, will do
Won't your pearls answer? suggested
her mother.
Pearls mixed with cmeralds You would
make fright of me, mamma. Oh dear /!
I shall have to take off the dress and wear
something else
Janet hesitated moment, and then drew
the little casket from her pocket.
I beg your pardon, Miss Draper she
said, timidly, flashing open the case but
if these would suit, I should be so pleased
Why, janet cried the heiress, lifting
the glittering string from the case, ARE you
another Cinderella But where, she added
in surprise, did you get these costly gems ?
They were the gift of a dear friend re-
piled Janet, quietly. I meant to sell them
this evening. but my heart failed me-
Why, I'll buy them if they are for SALE
kindly said the heiress. ooh, mother, do
look here Was ever anything so magnif-
cent?' she cried, excitedly twining the gor-
geous string round her raven braids. May
/ wear them tonight, Janet?'
In welcome said Janet
We'll, WE'LL continued Agnes, with a
sigh of satisfaction, there never was such
godsend, my dress is perfect now shall,
not forget your kindness, Miss Arauthnot.'
And she swept down to the parlors, the
emeralds encircling her brow like an aureola
of light. Janet looked after her with an
odd sensation of mingled pain and pleasure,
and half regretted the impulsive generosity,
that had prompted her to prefer her precious
emcralds, even for so short a time.
The tableaux were over, and the waltzing
had begun. Mr.. Willoughby, the lion Of
the season, who had just come from Calcut-
ia, q millionaire, approached to seek Miss
Draper for his first partner.
You have surpassed yourself, tonight,
Miss Agnes he said, his eyes full of admi-
ration, as they rested upon her queenly
face
Agnes flushed with pleasure. The music
struck up, and he turned to lead her off,
but suddenly stopped, staring like one petri-
fed
Great heavensr be exclaimed, at last,
they are the same. Miss Draper excuse
me But [ cannot he mistaken; where did
you get those emeralds 2
Agnes grew scarlet to her fnger-tips and
drew back hautily.
"A strange question, Mr.. Willoughby,
she said
I know Miss Draper; and beg pardon
for my rudeness-but those gems were my
gift to the dearest friend ever had You
can understand my solicitude to know how
they ever came into your possession
They are not mine, Mr.. Willoughby,'
was the surprised answer. They belong to
my mothers governess.
And her name ? he said, breathlessly.
Janet Arbuthnot.'
Mr.. Willoughby's travel bronzed face
grew radiant.
One other favor, Miss Agnes he said.
Can | see your mothers governess?
For an instant Agnes struggled with
wounded vanity and self love, and then said,
frankly, her better nature triumphing.
L see, Mr.. Willoughby, that there is a
grand announcement at hand, the finale of
our tableaux. Come with me-
He followed her from the parlors, and in
to a little ante-room, where the young gov
erness sat One glance at the quiet figure
in its robe of brown-and the pallid sorrow
worn face-and Eustace Willoughby rushed
forward with outstretched arms.
Janet, janet he cried, have | found
you at last?'
Agnes disengaged the emeralds from her
hair, and dropping them softly into Janet's
lap, left the room, blinded by really genuine
tears.
1t is quite as well as if had won him
myself she said.
Why did you leave our dear old city
said Eustace Willoughby, when he and ia
net were alone together. I can understand
some Of your reasons, of course you shrank
from old associations-but it led to this ap-
parent desertion on my part. I had to go
up the country from Calcutta, on important
business, fell sick and was detained for
months When returned to America, all
trace of you was lost, I had been in search