Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-06-13

that an old lady came here YESTERDAY.
aud in perfect business like manner
made the transaction
How happy John Fairleigh was
not because OF the possession Of mon
ey. but because he had then the means
70 obtain a profession His fathers
wish and intention could be secured.
and mother aud sister could live com
Portable during his years of study and
struggle for success. And then hope
whispered more-more than that =
Dare he listen?
Mr.. Clayton insisted many times on
seeing Lucy's diamonds. When mt
length she placed before him the spark
ling jewels, he said:
Well, well, they are very handsome
but our cook has just as gooi-looking
set-that is, to my eye but of course
I'm no judge-and she paid less dollars
than you thousands. However, | sup
pose it is great thing to feel sure You
have real jewels.
i am perfectly sure of the worth OF
mine Guardy,' said Lucy with a bright
smile.
Mr.. Clayton was considerably re-
lcvcd ahont the ten thousand so poor
~ used, for he had made an Investment
which seemed very certain Of more than
doubling that amount. Before a year
had passed, his own, and ali OF Lucy's
possessions, save three or four thous-
ands, retained for her immediate use,
were swept away In q crash which
wrecked many Others with them.
Bravely Lucy bore il, cheering as
best she could her guardian.
I've little iortanc yet, Guardy.
shall not want she said
a spittance. lou have vour dia-
monds though. Your investment has
proved better than mine. child
Then cheer mp. Guardy. Your boys
will prove diahonds 10 YOU. Aud
have mine. 81 We are both above real
want, and will come out all right by
aad bV.
sooner than Lucy dreamed came the
tlme to prove who loved the woman.
and WHO The heires-.
lhe charming Gus Hartley and the
wealthy Austin Wellsorth'. ardent
devotion grew suddenly vcry moderate
and finally ceased. The home oi Lucy
knew them 40 n,Gc. But often game
John Fairlri-h
Ilfce years hAi passed. lie vas be-
fOrt tIc people. They iclt la, great
ability. Another year aud hc stool one
Of the ablest lawyers o. his time. Then
he came and told his love.
I've been waiting for this for years.
John. Lucy answered, placing hcr
hand in hi-.
'Anl--can you--,Io You mean-oA,
tell me:'
been, ever since I first knew YOU
What John answered was intended
for Lucy's ear only, and shall not
write II for Others ears.
When Mr.. Clayton hal given the
bride away. and she was no longer her
'own woman, she drew him aside and
whispered: 'Guardy | deceived YOU
when | displayed what you thought my
diamonds. They were false. Here
are the real Jewels and she directed
his gaze 10 her husband. his mother
hers-and their sister. Then she told
him all about the old woman's invest
ment, anu concluded by asking:
Has it not proved q good invest
meut: Shall | ever want, think YOU.
guardy !:
Yes, and 40, little Lacy: the best
investment IN the world. And Won
will never want--at any rate. for the
best thing that earth can gNe-trac
love. You are wise little woman.'
answered her guardian.
'Thi, is my secret divulgei only to
you. You will keep it:'
'Sacgcdly, my dear,
Years after, lucy sent her husband
70 hunt fOr an antique jewel. While
thus engaged, ie found little ,iiken
bag. Opening which, he saw silver
coin, with Slip Of paper, on which
was written. Given l4e hY dear John,
Nov. 7th. lsd-.'
How swift are our thoughts how
clear and bright. ana noW simple the
most difficult problem becomes, when
We have the key given. Thus it was
that the mystery Of Years was solved.
Chance had given John hi, wfe's Sc
cret. 1t was the only one she had ever
kept from him. lie would now let her
know it was one no longer. lie felt il
due u her that his mother should not
only love her for what she was hut also
for what she had been 10 them When
lohn placed in his wfe's hands the
jewel she hal sent him to find, his
heart was rejoicing ia the knowledge
of possessing one surprising the value
of all other jewels earth can give.