The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-10-02

ltdSb GWO CcuIurleS. Duo COuscIu0ut-
made lone match which was
displeasing to her relatives, and left
home and country to- share the for
tunes of her young husband. At last
when in Germany, pressed by the ut
most necessity, for they had met with
many revorses, they wore obliged to
pawn the locket, hoping by good
work to redeem it speedily. But the
very next day they received letters
telling them of Mr.. Vereham's faith
ers illness, and summoning them to
England that he might see them
once more and forgive them. They
went homo Immediately, and when
detained by his long and tedious ILL
ness, and afterwards by business and
family complications, so that it was
three years before they found their
way to Frankfort again, and then
the pawnbroker was gone leaving no
clue.
ut has always been the subject Of
intense regret to US, said Mr.. Vere-
ham at the conclusion of his story.
"And my mother has described the
locket to me hundred times, griev-
ing to think how she had let it slip
out of her possession. The moment
I saw you first, Miss Madge, my eyes
were rivcted by your chain and lock-
ct, and I determined at once to make
your acquaintance, as soon as we
were on sufficiently friendly terms to
warrant it, to ask you about your
antique ornament.
By this time I was selfpossessed
and proud. My little love dream was
dashed to the earth; but no one
should dream it had existed.
"The ocket is undoubtedly yours" ,"
said briefly. 1t was lent me by an
old school-mate, daughter of pawn
broker, He is a German Jew, and
his account Of it comedies with yours.
will return it to him tomorrow, and
give you his address that you may re.
claim it,"
Mr.. Verehem was delighted be-
yond measure, and thanked me ear
nestly, wearing such radiant face
when we emerged from the conserva-
tory that Clara told me afterward she
was sure we were engaged.
"And to think, after all, it was the
locket, and not you |" she exclaimed.
II declare, Madge darling, I never
want to see the man again.
All, we'll AS in the old fairy tale,
the bell had rung midnight, the festi-
val was over, and Cinderella must go
back to everyday life. I returned
homo, and to my teaching, feeling
very grave and experienced after my
winters dissipation, and with my
mind fully made up that I should
never marry. But somehow the
work of teaching did not 60 on 30
lightly as it used, when l had vague
little sweet romantic dreams Of love
that might come any day. All that
was past and lost now, and was sick
of dreams. I had letter from Reb-
bic, telling me of the redemption of
that curious locket, and what splen-
did gentleman came for it, and how
wonderful it was that it should have
got back to its owners. AS 1 put
away the letter, I thought to myself,
''That's the last I ever shall hear of
Mr.. Vereham!"
But one evening when came home
tired and splritless, there he was
awaiting me! The momentI entered
the room his hands clasped mine, and
his eyes questioned mine eagerly.
''Little Madge, little Madge," he
said, "what q fool I have been! l
thought it was the .ocket that won
all my thoughts last winter, and in
stead Of that it was you! 1 found it
out when you had gone. Life has
been a blank to me ever since. Have
I lost my cbance2 Am 1 too late 2"
All, the dreams, the dreams Of love!
How they came trooping back into
my heart, in their most perfect sweet
fulfllment And how ten times
beautiful is the happiness that comes
out unharmed and immortal from the
fires that wo thought had consumed
lit!
And now I had my love and my
Iockot. Hark! There is Dudley's
step in the hall, and always go to
meet my husband. I leave you to
examine the rich and dainty fanciful-
ness Of the craving, the cherubs and
the imps. But this is simply q mag
nifcent antique. If you wish to see
the triumphs Of modern skill in gold
and gems, you must wait until to-
morrow, when Rebecca Schermerhorn
nee Schwarz, is coming to mako me a
visit.