The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-07
AUCY,S DIAMONDS.

DIAMONDS.
|, VI II ptlarc Lucy, full thirty minute
" NNih since you lave spoken, moved
,i,s,s missed your eyes from the one spot
/, Y|tarpct! A penny, nay a hundred o
''SiA"tlYSOr your thoughts, said merry Hattie
+ stlErd.
ttyg gSbt will tell you; and il ] am right
5.EYl;, \ shall own up, and I'll claim the pen.
t,l;l,.SSS answered Belle, llattie's sister
flt,$E,Vtry well; agreed" said Lucy unt
!, ,,,sllsbttie simultaneously"
1aTsDWcll, Lucy has been thinking of three
E.tlq3Ig gentlemen, her most ardent ad
fHRtrs. Gus. Hartley, the handsome. fas'
kslh,tiug fellow. Then Of Austin Well
8, ! JOFth, Esq. III were ambitious ofwcalth
/ I'd certainly take him. And Inst, and
\ lfost too, in Aunty's estimation. ! know
John Fairleigh: good, honest John, but
.r0or eadfully so. Now Lucy has beer
for last half hour thinking of these
tlr, rShe should make supremely happy
one o. them. with which would she b.
happy. Am right, Lucy"
After n moments hesitation, Lucy re.
Piled:
AYES, | was thinking Of them, but not
lust ns yoL have stated it. But you have
fairly won the pennies"
Here she was interrupted by Aunt
Hannah:
"I hope not Just as she stated. The
idea | think there are only two to be
considered at present. John Fairleigh
I don't know how he presumes to come
here. Poor! worse than poor, with bis
iaother and sister to support on an income
of a thousand dollars yearln
"Aunty. believe John Fairleigh most
worthy. His poverty very much regret,
alike for his mother and sister, as well as
for himself. But think them very rich
in possessing such son and brother.
However, don't think you need be I'm.
easy about his coming" answered Lucy.
"You know he loves you," whispered
Belle.
"Indeed, think it Is quite time you
shpnld decide between your lovers. While
you are hesitating you may lose the right
one.n
"who is he, auntyl"
aWhy, who else but Mr.. Wellworth 7
He Is the only one you could be sure was
not after your fortune. more than your
self,n answered Aunt Hannah, as she left
them. .....l
Mr. Fairlcigh failed in business, and
uied, when his son was about eighteen,
leaving tho widow and daughter to his
charge. OF course his studies had to be
abandoned then, and NIL his time devoted
TO their support. H
If Lucy had kindlier .eeling for John
Fairleigh than either Of the other mention
cd gentlemen, her cousins failed to dis
cJIrr it.
IVA half hour sitter, the door opened and
Lucy's guardian, Mr.. Clayton, entered.
Smiles were still lingering about his lips,
and he said:
II think you have been teasing your
aunt sadly, Lucy. She has just been open
ing her heart to me. She Is very anxious
about your selection Of a husband"
81 know, Guardy. So she has decided
iorme. How do you like her choice 7"
"I'm glad he is not yours. That is, |
hope not"
awhy, Guardy7n
g Because | know nothing certainly oI
his wealth-only what report says. He
may be just what your aunt fears fol
you.n BY -.'-
lsWhat Of lIr. Hartley, sir7" asked
Belle. ..Ii .lur ......
IA good natured, good for nothing
young man, who will spend all he car
without earning dollar"
"And Mr.. Fairleigh-tell us of him.
said Hattie.
"a noble fellow. But not the husband
for any one; that is, during his mothers
life, unless his sister should marry some
one able and willing to care for her mother,
or unless Some unlocked for good luck
comes to lin. John, poor fellow, his life
Is welded to those depending on him iOr
support lie has fine talents. His father
was anxious for him to study law. Any
commands to-day, Lucy2"
: nNot to-day, Guardy. Do you rcmem!
ber-next week shall belong to my
selEn
"oh, yes; I've been thinking about it.
And you want to let me know now, you
are going to be Just rs cxtravagant MS YOU
choose, and / will have no longer the right
to chide. That is 1t, little lady. Well
pm'quite anxious to see how you will Oct
when you belong to YOURSELF as you
@y.n And, with Il pleasant smile, the
good man took leave of them.
Lucy Nelson was an orphan, in the com
Portable possession Of hundred Thousand
dollars consequently was courtcd ant
nattered. Notwithstanding which, she was
sensible, sweet, afIectionate girl. And
John Fairleigh loved her with all the fcrvoi
Of his noble, loving hearti yet without
hope.
A few evenings after the above convcrsN
tion, John Fairleigh stood in the door o.
hi. humble home. Coming down tn,
street, bent, and with feeble steps, he saw
an old woman. When she reached his
door shs stopped, and Naid, in low, from
Tia, vniaAt