Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-05-23
WHAT III COST MABEL.

lap and began slowly" My opinion Of
men, my dear, is, well "-ond she stopped
her scissors that were sliding of her lap
"is,' she repeated, that they are all very
well in their place."
But mamma-"
81 know what you are to say, my dear,
Il am not clear that did "men are not
easy to understand, and 1 don't sec any
reason why women, and particularly girls
should worry themselves with trying tc
understand any mans character or ways
except their own husbands and brothers
and in time, their boys. But what | want
to tell you is, that there is nothing more
troublesome, Mary, than a man always
about the house. Look at your poor aunt
Mary not room in her house tidy, with
all Uncle Ned's books and papers lying
about everywhere, and even the nursery
cupboard piled up with books; such {
man would drive me mad No, my deal
girls, don't, on any account, marry a mar
who works at home, instead of an office
like Christian.
Three days after this little chat, my
eldest sister Mary was engaged to an otli'
Ger, friend Of my cousin George, and as
he was in II home regiment, there would
be little work, if any, for him, and Mary
would have a husband on her hands all
day.
know mamma did not like it for this
reason, so | determined never to marry ar
idle man, and officers are idle. | thought
Mary looked very red when mamma wa;
talking, and, of course, she was thinking
of Patrick.
Mary and Patrick went out soon after
their engagement for long ride, and
cousin George drove me over to K tc
choose my present for Mary's wedding.
"Now, George, help me to choose" ]
said; but at that moment" lIollo!' he
cried, "there's Trevelyan !" and rushed
out; he came in in little while, and said
"Mabel, Mr.. Treyelyan wants me to see a
horse with him; you won't mind being
left, or you can stroll on tho beach, and
I'll come there for you. i forgot, Mr..
Trevelyan, Miss Mabel Evans" A few
words of commonplace from Mr.. Trcvelyan
and they were gone, leaving me alone at
the jewelers.. Little | thought then that
the kind manly face had glanced at would
be the curse of my existence, the ruin OIL
my young happiness. No warning SILVER
no presentlment of evil, came on that
bright morning, to give me any idea that
Mabel Evans, only just seventeen years
old, a happy, merry girl, would lie down
that night with dry, fearless eyes, pray.
ing, in the uncontrolled agony Of a first
grief, that death would take her out Of
her shame and misery. Why should
have chosen opals fatal stones wher
every other gem lay spread before me, the
tender true emerald, the pure pearl, the
faithful and sympathetic turquoise, that
doth tell, by looking pale, the wearer i;
not we'll"
The ring bought and paid for, wan
dered on the shore to wait for George;
walked about until was tired; sat down
on some low rocks and took out the rim!
to admire. l pulled it on and off, anc
played with it, putting the box in my
pocket. Still no George, and no pony
carriage, the tide was coming in rapidly
and | ran, in stupid, childish terror
calling George! George Breathless
reached the steps, and began to climl
them; the lower twenty or thirty wer
steep and slippery. fell several times
slipping; tumbling and crying like a baby
| at length reached a SOFT Of landing owe
high-water mark, and rested. As soon a
| could get up to climb the next fight c
steps, then thought of the ling-not O.
my hand, not in my pocket, where tn
green ccse was lying safely, In my erie
at its loss | began to descend the step;
though tie water had long eliaccd til
marks of my flying footsteps on the sands
at this moment shout, "Miss Evans
and looking up saw, not cousin George
but Mr.. Trevelyan, standing on the top
projecting cliff at some distance.
He must have seen me sobbing, an
attributed my tears to fear at my situi
ton; presently he came down, not sowl
or cautiously, put with firm strides, as
used to mountain travelling; soon he w;
beside me.
81 am so grieved that you should
frightened, Miss Evans" he began; "bu
ifyou trust yourself to me, you shall be i
the chaisc in ten minutes"
at is not that" answered incohel
emily and crying again 81 have lost m
ring-the present for Mary-for my sister
wedding.
"Poor grille" he said, kindly, "that
a loss, what can we do? Don't cry, wi
drive you back to the town and get he
something else"
"Oh, we must find it," I said. "Ibay
no more money; it is an opal ring, plaiI
set clearly in gold-I must find It,"
"My poor child" he said, looking pei
picked, and pulling his mustachc, "th
tide will wash it away; it is already lat'
your mother will be anxious, and Geore
will be home before we are; he is rdm
the new horse he spoke of, and has aske
me to drive you back to see one of his h
wants to change for mine"
"Do stay with me-" | said, piteousl,
"and find the ring"
"Will you stop here for me-" he sai'
"while | look for it ?" his face lighting u
as if with hope of finding it.
81 will do anything ysu WISH" I sal
clasping my hands, fyou will bring m
the ring"
81 shall hold you to that" he laughe
out; "descrlbe it to me exactly, and !,
me CO." l told him again what the rr
was like, and he bounded up the cliff and
sat again sobbing and alone upon the eli
| watched the tide retreat and followe
the water carefully down each step, exam
lining each crcvice and chink, hut in val
At last voice above said quietly, "Yc
promised to wait for me here" turnt
quickly and climbed the steps with NJ
Trevelyan's assistance. Here is 20,
ring" he said gravely, and handed me q
open box, showing sparkling opal indee
but not mine, not the one | had chose
A blank dismay fell upon me.
at is not mine, | have the box here