The Lincoln County herald., 1870-11-24

fell from the bure stems, she cav that
thero was something glittering tied
securely in the heart Of the boquet.
Wondering, she united the jewel and
slipped it upon her finger. It was a ring
of u quaint device, two hearts Of pure
gold. Joined by turpose forget. me not,
in the hcart Of which nestled q sparkling
diamond. Something as clear and as
bright as the diamond ring cleaned, for
a moment, on Almas check, as she softly
pressed her lips upon the jewel. "Dear
Leon, how much he loves inc. Oh, il
could be all ho wishes, aud keep down
this hasty temper Of mine" Already the
quarrel had become a matter of deep
regret, and the warm little heart was
ready for reconciliation, when the tea bell
put an end to Almas day dreaming.
She was spoiled little beauty, this
warm hearted, quick-tempered Alma
Crofts, motherless from her infancy, the
idol Of = loving father, the bell Of her
native town, with whom no one could be
angry spite of her thousand caprices
From the time when Aunt Mercy gave
her the ''coming OUT party, and thus in
troduced her to society, Alma had been
the center Of attraction in all the gather
ings amongst her large circle of friends
Her piquant beauty, perfect brunette in
the jetty, glossy hair aud great black
eyes, her complexion rivalled that of the
fairest blondes, ard her tiny, graceful
little figure was as full Of life as that of
fairy. The object Of admiration, and
the recipient Of attention from q number
of gentlemen, whom she was accustomed
to meet in society, Alma almost uucon
sciouly grew conquettish in manner, dis.
trbuting her smiles and favors freely
and accepted many offerings which one,
more sensitive about encouraging atten-
ton, wou d have declined That she was
vain, giddy aud coquetish all could see,
but only few could read the promise OF
nobler and better impulses under this
worldly surface.
Leon Harris was one Of the few who
could penetrate the crust and read some
thing of the warm, true heart beneath
hat Onl y needs some motive to wake it 10
life. He, with his grave, reserved nature
seemed strangely unfit to mate with this
butterfly, hut, with the inconsistency of
love, he gave his whole heart into her
capricious keeping, hoping that an an
swering love would rouse tho noblcr por
ton of her nature Bat he was too eager
for the change that could only be brough,
gradually. Accustomed to 80 much
alteration, Alma found it difficult to give
ho a,t,ili Lon
to her She loved Leon truly, recoguiz
ing all the noble, high attributes of his
Sp % hS ss yps t5S yo5Fa Hs Ssh
mould her into the quiet woman he wished
to see her.
Two loving hearts united by the attrac
tion of oppos,e., Leon aud Alma needed
only patience to become, each what the
other most desired. Time the great
fashioner, would have laid his finger on
each heart, tearing away something Of the
reserve Of ,he one, aud the gay vanity o.
the other. But they were young and
impatient, and while the one wished ia
wrench the other suddenly y and forcibly
from all old associates and habits, tha
other hungered for some words Of praise
or Aattery amidst the continued faul
findiussund blame. Leon did not NEAR
to be unkind; but his very love made
him too exacting too impatient to see th'
loved one perfect
"Tea time" said Alma, springing to he
feet, aud letting the faded flowers sliI
unheeded from her lap; "Leon will 500,
be here, and when thank him for thi.
beautiful ring, l will tell him that wi!
try to become all that he wishes Dea
old fellow if he only knew it-I low
him with my whole heart. | woul,
rather have one smile from him than tiit,
honeyed speeches from another but tha
crooked twist in my heart makes me hid
away my love too often. will try to b.
more dignitied if he will be good nature'
again"
Fitting quickly down stairs, as be
thoughts took the above form, she reaches
the dining room just as her father ant
Aunt Mercy sat down to tea. There wa
q constraint over the whole party. Ain
was listening for . we'll known ring an
iootstep. Aunt Mercy was sadly won
dering If her giddy little niece had no
thrown away her own best hope for hap
piness, and Mr. Crofts was unusuall
grave and distracted. As he rose frol
/ the supper-table be said to Alma: Z"
want you IN the library for q few mo
, ments." Wondering, half frightened
the young girl followed him. Wit
! gentle gravity, he motioned her to sea
and spoke "Alma, Leon Harris cam
to my Office this afternoon to accept
8 position which six months ago he d.
I clined, because he did not wish to leav
I home" .,l al
y "What position?' Her lips woul
whiten and quiver in spite Of all he
), efforts. .... ... IL.
i "The agency for the business 10 Cal
{ fornia. My agent there wishes to retuI
- here, and IL only waiting for some one