National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-02-16

Was il ? almost wanted to think sc
myself as ! fell asleep, dreaming OF Mr.
Nercham. He called few evenings after
was even more agreeable than at the soirte
and then he left, invited me to 60 sleigh
riding with him the next day.
Glen propose, next thing you know,
said Clara, sagcly "Thcse grave bnchc
lors always do it very saddenly. have
known it to happen more than once my
self"
"Would you wear the locket, Clara ~
asked, as | was getting ready for the ride
"Woll, | don't know" replied Clara
thoughtlully. eyes II will look sc
handsome against your black velvet jack
et and they wear them on the street a
great deal this winter"
We had grand sleigh-ride, the strong
black horses carrying us like the wind
again and again around the principal drives
OF the Park. All the world was out, and
il was a brilliant scene, intestitied every
| few moments by some OF the fast horses
| breaking INTO Il race. was in the high
est possible spirits; and when we turned
homeward felt as if it was the closing of a
triumphal march.
"I beg your pardon but that is very
rare and curious lockct that you wear"
said Mr.. Vereham, as he assisted me out
OF the sleigh.
Yes | answered, conlusedly; and
gathering up my furs, hurried through
thanks and leaye-taking, and ran into the
house. | had such a dread Of any one
questioning me about the locket, and find
ing out that had borrowed it of pawn
broker.
The next two or three times that / met
Mr.Nereham did not wear it, ! was real
ly beginning to think good deal Of hin. in
romantic sort of way, and Clara's rail-
lery only added to it. Ii seemed to me
that | never had seen, never should see,
any one that | could like so well as did
Dudley Vercham.
Then came presently cards for a party
which was to be the party of the season.
Clara was getting up fol herself some won
dertuly cloud-like drapery, with pearls and
turquoises. ] was to wear my blue silk,
the only real party dress | had, and-the
locket. Clara did my hair, and that was
half the battle.
"Now you are perfect violet" she said,
W Htil wis itdiF ,tlNt SOrlc VI tIiS
violet powder chiI and let me pour some
car de riolette on your handkerchief. There
is a charming great conservatory at Mrs.
IIart's, and perhaps Mr.. Vereham will ask
YOU to walk there with him. We girls
have counted up at least ten proposals that
have been made in that conservatory this
winter"
must confess that my heart beat tu
multuously when, in the course of that
never-to-he-forgotten evening, Mr., We're
ham, as Clara had predicted, invited me to
walk with him in the consei vatory. took
his arm all IN iutter, half terror, half hap
piness, and in few moments we stood
among the camcllias and cactuses. He
talked about the plants at first, showing
me some that he had been blossoming in
their owr native climes. answered |
rather at random, am afraid, for the bur
den of my thoughts was, "Oh, what will |
father and mother say ~
Standing at last beside an orange-trec,
there was a moments silence. Mr.. We're
ham appeared somewhat embsrassed.s
May ask, he said, hesitatingly-"
have been wishing a long t le to ask
would you tell me, Miss Madb dbe, the history
ot your unique locket !"
supposed l looked surprised, for he has
tened to add, "Let me tell you my story
first, and then you will pardon my curios-
ty.n
And while stood there silent, summon
ng all my selt-control, he told it. His
it seemed, was one Of the
sons OF an old English family of
nobility. His mother, when a girl, was
presented with a curious antique locket, at
he time of her confirmation, by an aunt,
who was also her godmother. 1t was given
Ter as priceless treasure,it having belonged
o the family for at least two centuries.
She consequently made a love match {
which was displeasing to her relatives, and ,
eft home and country to share the for
unes of her young husband. AT t,when
II Germany, pressed by the utmost neces-
ity, for they had met with many revorses, ]
hey were obliged to pawn the locket,
loping by good luck to redeem it speed
ly. But the very next day they received {
etters telling them Of Mrs. Vereham's ia
hers illness, and summoning them to
england that be might see them once
more and forgive chem. They went home ,
and were detained there by {
lis long and tedious illness, and afterward T
" business and family complications, so {
hat it was three years before they found {
heir way to Frankfort again, and then G
he pawnbroker was gone, leaving no clue q
at has always been the subject Of in s
cnse regret to u.s." SAID Mr. Vereham, at =,
he conclusion of his story. "And my mo- t
her has described the locket to me a hun 9
red lines, grievipg to think how she had q
It it slip out of her possession. The mo- +
lent saw you first, Miss Madge. my :
yes were riveted by your chain and lock- O
t, and | determined at once to make your {
cquaintance, as soon as we were on sufii n
ently friendly terms to warrant it, to G
* You about your antique ornament T
By this time / was self lfpossessed and is
roud. My little love dream was dashed f
, the earth; but no one should dream c
had existed.
"The locket is undoubtedly yours" j.
nd, briefly. " 1t was lent me by an old o
'bool-mate, daughter of a pawnbroker. a
e is German jew, and his account of it Ii
,incides with yours. / will return it to s
I'M tomorrow, and give you his address Il
lat you may reclaim it." a
Mr.. Verehem was delighted beyond
easure, and thanked me earnestly, wear
g such a radiant face when we emerged 8;
ON the conservatory that Clara told me Il
terward she was sure we were engaged. II
"And TO think, after all, it was the h
cset, and not your' she exclaimed. ~ v
nclare, Madge darling, | no rer want to b
.e the man again. b
All. well As in the old fairy tale, the b
ell had rung midnight, the festi al was ia
yer. ard Cinderella must go back to ev- q
I bor,a s.,I 70 n.