Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-01-13

Countess, and admired her high breeding
1t was we'll the Afghan was nearly compile
ted, for there was. no more knitting upon
that day. The Countess was very graciou
and condecending to Eleanor, and related t
her many bits of gossip concerning tn
manners and customs Of the nobility-hint
ing to Eleanor that Lord Lyle was travellin,
with herself and husband, and she SHOULD
like to introduce him to her, when she wa
very sure ond certain he would change hi
opinion of American ladies and admit Their
was at least one equal to any lady he met il
Europe. Eleanor's vanity was fattered
and she was quite in futter to see thu
young Lord Her dress became matter o
importance, and much time was spent il
making her toilets.
j The grand hop Of the season was on thu
/ tapis-thc Countess began tc manifest IN
easiness lest her husband and Lord Lyle
should not return in season to attend the
hop.
You see, my dear Miss Dc Burgh, an
the more anxious for his return since my
diamonds are deposited in bank for safe
keeping They are the family diamonds
and are of great value. I never wear them
at home, except on state occasions, but
her G in America the ladies wear them every
evening but expect few of them are real
diamonds. | hope no one will follow my
husband and murder him to secure the jew
| els" te5.L
Eleanor was impatient to see the wonder
| full diamonds, and pictured to herself the
Countess literally blazing with them on the
evening Of the hop, Time flies, and still
Count Dalrymple does not appear. The
dinner over, and Eleanor was trying to sleep,
in order to be fresh for the hop, when a tap
at her door reused her. She was surprised
to see the Countess, and expected it was to
announce the return of her husband She
was mistaken. aiss sistEr s G1eH .5-
II come to you, my dear, to ask if you
think would look respectable this evening
in full dress without jewels Of any kind. -
My dress is Sc elaborate, being velvet, with
point lace ovcr-skirt, and am sure shall
look horrid without something of the kind.
These common ones have with me will not
do at all--will not correspond with the mag
nifcence of my dress. Have you selected
your ornaments. my dear Perhaps some
you may not wish to use may become me,
if may be so bold as to suggest it. All, |
am so unfortunate If only my friend, Mrs.
Astor or. Mrs. Lorillard were here. she
would at once supply my need. .
II shall wear my Etruscan set tonight,
but have some handsome jewels in my box.
If your Iadyship plcases and they suit you,
they are at your service.
''Let me see All, yes, here are pearls
and emeralds, also rubies. They really arc
quite respectable, and l will take them along
and try which are most becoming after I am
dressed. After all, the Count may return
with mine in time. and shall not need to
use yours. But [ am keeping you awake,
so al reuoiir until evening.
The hop went off, and so did the Count
css Eleanor kept watch for her until quite
late, supposing it her custom to come late,
or perhaps, her husband and Lord Lyle had
arrived and must first rest and make their
toilet before they come. Her mother noticed
her continual watching the door, and asked
''if she was expecting any one ~
Eyes, mamma; the Countess said she
was coming" 9s gt
Countess. fiddlestring-!.. More likely
some shoddyite, as you term them. At
any rate, / wouldn't be intimate with her if
I were you There is no telling what she is. ,
Eleanor looked in vain for her high born
friends, and her cup of pleasure was dashed
, when the ball broke up and they came not !;
but she consoled herself with the thought
that the party had come too atc-she would
certainly meet them at breakfast. Alas !!
alas they came not. She knocked at the
door to inquire if she was i'll, but the bird
had flown; room empty, trunks gone She
fastened to the office and asked ::
Had the Countess Dalrymple changed
her roonl?"
"No such person here, Miss
s'Thc lady in No. A. Perhaps her hus-
band, the Count, returned last night, and
they have taken another room"
II will look at the book All, yes, A !;
the lady paid her bill and left for Philadel-
pEia last evening" .s.t- H.. nd.
Eleanor turned pale the proprietor star
''What is it, Miss? Anything wrong
with the lady?'
-"I-she-yes. She borrowed my jewels
to attend the hop last evening. and she has
not returned them %
$50, SO! That's bad, but we'll set the
detectives at work, They'll find her, never
fear" ard SO they did, and Eleanor recoy-
cred her jewelry. The lesson she learned
has made her better aud wiser woman =
She no more lays stress on pride Of birth
but thinks modest merit and honest worth
far more desirable than high-sounding titles
England's aristocracy are below 10 her esti
nation She had the cure for her foible in
her seaside acquaintance.