The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-19
TIE STORY OF A LOCKET.

W hNll lNsA WV HillllAANAN w ~ uuN lll-
to a world Of work, left behind me many
dear friends. At the end ota year, two Of
them at least, had not forgotten me.
Clara Delaney sent me very swcetly
worded invitation to visit her for a month,
said she was having charming time, and
wanted me to share it. Rcbbie Schwarz
wIotc that she loved me dearly as ever,
and fever came to New York, she
begged would spend few days with
her. | decided to go to Rebbic's first, for
week, and then to Claras.
ReDbic was evidently petted daughter.
Her room, where we slept together, was
furnished with the utmost luxury, and
smaed at the familiar sight Of an open
iewel.box, and trinkcts scattered all over
the dreSsing-tablc, We talked half the
night, and, among other things, | asked
her about the three golden balls, which
hung in front of the house.
"Why, father is pawnbrokcr,n she
said, innOcently, and then told me what n
pawnbrukcr was in her own quaint style.
After very pleasant visit oia week 1t
was time Tor inc 10 go TO Claia DelanCcy's,
and Rebbie and were talking II over.
Rebbie declared that | did not dEss
enough for Clara's gay society, and, as Of
old, offered to lend me aAy thing she had
But refused.
That evening Mr.. Schwarz brought into
the parlor an old ebony box that lie bad
been promising to show ave, and unlocked
il. II contained great many valuable
Jewels and ornaments, which had been
pawncd to him years ago in Germany, and
never redeemed. Some he had had for
forty years. looked ut thcm with inter
est. As turned them over with my hand
suddenly came upon lOcket. Ii took
my fancy at oncci | could not bear to put
ii down.
"Tbat's just the odd sort of thing to
smt you, Madgc, - cried Rcbbie. "Put the
chain around your neck, and let inc see
how 1t looks. Just your style !"
Every link Of the chain bad some fanci.
iul bit Of carving on II t-ahand here, pro
file there, moths wing, an imp's face, a
fower-cach done IN such small space rs
almost to need magnilying glass. Here,
you eau look at II for yourself as ! talk
Mr.. Schwarz said the lOcket and cham
were brought him, some thirty years be-
fore, in Frankfort, by sickly looking
young Englshman, who only asked five
pounds on them-hoping, he sad, to re-.
,eem them within week. But Mr..
Schwatz had never seen or heard from him
.again.
"Oh, fathern said Rebbie, "we'll lend
that to Madge to wear at the Delnnceys' p
At last she bad found something could
not refuse. | would rather have had that
lockct md chain than all the jewelry in
the world. And so, when went irrm
Rebbie's house the next day, the locket
went with me.
"My dear Madgc," said Clam Delan-
ccy, few evenings after, as We were get
ting ourselves ready for n soirte, chow
very MISUNDERSTANDING you are in that
black silk, and with Your wonderful heir
loom Of a locket!"
smiled tn think how little foundation
had for distinction. Clara herself was
looking exquisite, wearing mauyc and her
pearls. q,
"Madvc," she whispered, when we had
been At the soirts perhaps twenty minutes,
"you are making conquest. Dudley
Vereham is looking at you with all his
ewes, and II Is 'mirabile yisu,' as our Latin
books used to say, for he scarcely ever no.
tices us butteftliesW W
A few moments after Dudley Vereham
was brought to us by our hostess and IN
.roduccd. CLARA escaped for promenade
with one Of her iavoriteS, and was lelt
alone with him. He was grave, hand
some young man, with rather absttnctc0
air. which he seemed to try to overcome
as lie entered into conversation with me
and in a few moments found myself talk,
ing with him with the greatest cae and
pleasure. This WIS something enjoyable,
Tor most Of the young gentlemen whom
had met in society hitherto had only an
swerrd "yes,n no." and "indeed," when
had any thing to say, and when thty
made any remarks ! could only answer
Eyes" dno," and "indeed," myself. We
never could seem to strike the same
chords. But Mr.. Vercham, made ~ nv
mind at once, was decidedly agreeable
lie had Travelled great deal, and once OF
that topic, there was no end to my inter
est. There were so many places ! wanteC
to hear about, which ! had seen only IL
Imagination, and would tell him how
had pictured them to,myseli, and then ht
would give me the true picture, sometime
with such eomical contrast that think W
were both very much entertained. W.
ppomenaded, ate Ices together, and At las
he asked Pennission tocall on me.