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

MoNDs," ETC.
Janet Arbu!llnot put by the little frocls
she had been striving SO hard to finish.
1t is almost dark, she said, glaneins to-
wards the window with little, sbuddering
sigh. L suppose shall have to go moth
err
I suppose SO, DEAR replied the invalid,
raising herself to sitting posture; but they
might have spared you to me tonight.
yes, mother but Mrs. Draper thought
they would never get on with the dresses
for the tableaux without my help
And my new frock, Janet piped a cur
ly headed little thing from the corner, who
will finish that?'
Never fear Alice replied the sister,
pleasantly L shall be at home bright and
early TO- morrow, and you shall have it in
good time
But what's the use, continued the child
petulantly I might as we'll have no new
frock, I've no place to go; and we shan't
have even a doughnut for New Year-shal1
we mother 2
The mother sighed, and fell back upon
her pillow, pressing her thin hands to her
face to hide the tears she could not keeE
back.
Janet stood for moment, with her hand
on the door-knob; then she re-crossed the
room TO her mothers bed.
Don't fret, mother she said, tenaerly
kissing the wan and sunken cheeks. 'Keer
brave heart, and the sun will shine again
some day, despite all this darkness. I think,
she added, adjusting her worn shawl, that
III come home to night, if it isn't too late
after the party; and I'll ask Mrs. Draper
for part of my monthly pay. You shall
have New Years yet, Alice
She kissed them both, and left, closing
the door softly behind her. But instead Of
going directly into the street, she went into
her bedroom. Taking key from hel
pocket, she unlocked small, rosewood case
that stood upon the table, and drew forth a
tiny, ebony easket. Her hands trembled
nervously as she unclasped it, and lifted a
string of emera]ds it contained. Rare and
brilliant gems they were, most dainty set,
and looking strangely out of place in that
humble, little chamber Janet held them
tenderly, pressing them caressingly to her
lips, and letting them slip'through her fing-
ers like stream Of living light There
was spray of heliotrope in the bottom Of
the casket, and its sweet, subtle odor, filled
the little chamber like the breath of incense
and with that strange power which odors
alone possess, carried the heart of the sad
faced governess away back to the dewy
dawn of her girlhood.
Only five years ago, and this self same
Janet had been the daughter Of a wealthy
and indulgent father, with every luxury and
comfort at her command. and crowds Of
suffers at her feet But only one of these
met with any favor from the shy little beau
ty; and he was in every respect worthy Of
her. On the eve Of a voyage to Calcutta,
he had made his declaration, and been ac-
cepted: and the string Of emeralds had been
his betrothal-g gift.
For months after his departure, Janet
lived in dream of bliss, and then the great
trouble of her life came. Her father who
held high position in the mercantile world
failed utterly, and finding himself a beg
gar, died of "a broken heart. Then theil
beautiful dwelling, and everything went,
and his poor wife sank into despairing help
lessness and there was no one left to breas
the bitter storm but pretty, Janet.
Bravely enough she did it, for the CIR
was hero, despite her slender form and
lily face. She removed her invalid mother
and little sister to a city far distant from the
scene of their recent troubles. procured
humble lodgings and then cast about her fol
employment With much difficulty, she
obtained situation as governess, a position
for which her fine education and natural a
bilties rendered her cminently qualified d
Thus the years wore on. Janet hearing moth
ing from her lover. He was, probably deae
she thought; or he might have heard o
her fathers failure. and resolved to quietly
ignore her. She did not know, and she
was too proud to inquire.
| Now, standing there in the gathering
gloom, with the rush and roar OF the grea
city in her ears, she asked herself, "wbJ
not sell the emeralds ?" They would bring
a good price, enough to make her pool
mother and little Alice comfol table through
many dreary month. And yet she coule
hardly bring herself to part from them
They were the one link that bound her t.
the happy past. The shadows thickened
round her, and the dreamy odor Of the hell
otrope wrapt her, like trance. in memo
ries of the long ago She could see thu
green, summer garden, hear the plash o
the fountain, and catch the twitter OF thu
canaries from their gilded cages. His fact
was bending over her, his kisses burned
upon her brow, his very words seemee
sounding in her ear again. "A quaint atiall
for betrothal-gift, darling he said, 'bp
they are very precious, and they were my
mothers wedding jewels. l hold them dear
er than anything else [ possess, hence
give them to you
Could she part from them? Sell then
for few paltry shillings? Her bosom r 70,
and fell with great throbs Of agony. Sh'
was coiling them into the case again. whe1
her mothers ho!loy cough broke on her ear
For her sake" she murmured, her fac'
whitening in the gloom. Yes, dod nell
me, for her sake | must 7
She closed the casket resolutely, ana sip
ping it in her pocket, hurried out into tn
darkening streets. Only block or tw'