National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-08-04

thousands. However, suppose It is
great thing to feel sure you have rea
Jewels"
81 am perfectly sure Of the porth O
mine, Guardy," said Lucy, with q brigh
smile.
Mr.. Clayton was considerably relieved
about the ten thousand so poorly used, fo
he had made an Investment which SCENE,
very certain OF more than doubling thai
amount. Before year had passed, hi
own, and all Of Lucy's possessions, saw,
three or four thousand, retained for hel
immediate use, were swept away in crasf
which wrecked many Others with them.
Bravcly Lucy bore it, cheering a. best
she could her guardian.
"Pve a little fortune yet, Guardy.
shall not want" she said.
a pittance. You have your diamond,
though. Your Investment has proved
better than mine, child"
"Then cheer up, Guardy. Your boy,
will prove diamonds to you. And have
mine So we are both above real want
and will come out all right by and by"
Sooner than Lucy had dreamed, came
the time to prove who loved the roman
and who the heiress.
The charming Gus. IIartley's and the
wealthy Austin Wellworth's ardent devo-
ton grew suddenly very moderate, and
finally ceased. The home Of Lucy knew
them no more. But often came John
Fairleigh.
Three years had passed. lie was before
the people. They felt his great ability.
Another year, and he stood one Of the
ablest lawyers of his time. Then he came
and told his love.
"Fve been waiting for this for years,
John," Lucy answered, placing her hand
in his.
"And- you-do you mean-oh, tell
me2'
THAT am yours. My heart has been,
ever since first knew you"
What John answered was intended for
Lucy's ears only, and l shall not write it
for other eyes.
When Mr.. Clayton had given the bride
away, and she was no longer her "own
woman" she drew him aside and whisper
ed
"Guardy, deceived you when ! dis
played what you thought my diamonds.
They were false. Here are the real jewels"
and she directed his gaze to her husband,
his mother hers-and their sister. Then
she told him all about the old woman's
investment, and concluded by asking:
Has it not proved good investment ;
Shall ever want, think you, Guardy W
"Yes, and no, little Lucy the best
investment in the world. And you will
never want-at any rate, for the best
thing that earth can give-true love. You
are wise little woman" answered her
guardian.
"This is my secret, divulged only to
you. You will keep it?"
"Sacredly, my dear"
Years after, Lucy sent her husband to
hunt for an antique jewel. While thus
engaged, he found little silken bag.
Opening which, he saw silver coin, with
a slip of paper, on which was written,
" Given me by dear John, Nov. 7th,
lS6-."
How swift are our thoughts how clear
and bright, and how simple the most diff
cult problem becomes, when we have the
key given us Thus it was that the nys
terry of ars was solved. Chance had
given Jol.I his wife's secret. 1t was the
only one she had ever kept from him. He
would now let her know it was one no
longer He felt it due to her that his
mother and sister should not only love her
for what she uaS, but also for what she had
been to them. When John placed in his
wife's hand the jewel she had sent him to
ind, his heart was rejoicing in the know
edge of possessing one surprising the value
If all other Jewels earth can give.