Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-09-26

to my interest. There were so many
places wanted to hear about, which l
had seen only in imagination, aud would
tell him how had pictured them to my
self, and then he would give me the true
picture, sometimes with such comical
contrast that think we were both very
much entertained. We promenaded, ate
ices together, and at last he asked per-
mission to call on me.
"Why, Madge, he never called at this
house but once in his life," exclaimed
Clara, when told her that night, and
that was brief party CALL 1t is a de-
cided case of love at first sight, my dearm
Was it? l almost wanted to think so
myself as fell asleep, dreaming of Mr..
Vereham. He called short time after,
was even more agreeable than at the
soiree, and when he left, invited me to
go sleigh-riding with him the next day.
"He'll propose, next thing you know"
said Clara, sagely. "These grave bache-
lors always do it very suddenly have
known it to happen more than once my
self"
"Would you wear the locket?" asked,
as was getting ready for the ride.
ssWeI, I don't KNOW replied Clara,
thoughtfully "Yesl it will look so hand
some against your black velvet jacket, and
they wear them on the street 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
it was a brilliant scene, intensified every
few moments by some of the fast horses
breaking into race. I was in the high
est possible spirits, and, when we turned
homeward, felt as if it was the closing of
the triumphal march.
II beg your pardon, but that is very
rare and curious locket that you wear"
| said Mr.. Vereham, as he assisted me out
of the sleigh.
eyes" | answered, confusedly; and,
gathering up my furs, hurried through
thanks and leave-taking, and ran into the
house. l had such dread of any one
questioning me about the locket, and find
ing out that l had borrowed it of pawn
broker
The next two or three times that met
Mr.. Vereham l did not wear it. Twas
really beginning to think a good deal of
him in a romantic sort of way, and Clara's
raillery only added to it. 1t seemed to
me that never had seen, never should
see, any one that could like SO well as
did Dudley Vereham.
There came, presently, cards for party
which was to be the party of the season.
Clara was getting up for herself some
with pearls and turqouises. / 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 a perfect violet" she
said, when 1 was ready. "Here. use some
of this violet powder, child, and let me
pour some eau de violet on your handker
chief There is a charming great con-
servatory at Mrs. Hart'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"
I must confess that my heart beat tu-
multuously when, in the course of that
never-to-be-forgotten evening, Mr.. We're
ham, as Clara had predicted, invited me
| to walk with him in the conservatory. l
took his arm all in a f1utter, half terror,
half happiness, and in a few moments we
stood among the camelias and cactuses
He talked about the plants at first, show
| ing me some that he had seen blossoming
in their own native climes. / answered
rather at random, am afraid, for the bur-
den of my thought was, ooh, what will
father and mother say?"
Standing at last beside an orange-tree,
there was moments silence. MIR. Vere-
ham appeared somewhat embarrassed.
MAY ask" he said, hesitatingly-'1
have been wishing long time to ask
would you tell me, Miss Madge, the his
tory of your unique locket?"
l suppose l looked surprised, for he
fastened to add, "Let me tell you my
story first, and then you will pardon my
curiosity"
And while 1 stood there silent, sum-
moning all my self.control, he told it,
His grandfather, it seemed, was one of
the younger sons of an old English fami-
ly of nobility. His mother, when girl,
was presented with curious antique
locket, at the time of her confirmation,
by an aunt, who was also her godmother
1t was given her as priceless treasure, it
having belonged to the family for at least
two centuries. She subsequently made
love-match which was displeasing to her
relatives, and left home and country to
share the fortunes of her young husband.
At last, when in Germany, pressed by the
utmost necessity, for they had met with
many reverses, they were obliged to pawn
the locket, hoping by good luck to re-
deem it speedily. But the very next day
| they received letters telling them of Mrs.
Vereham's fathers illness, and summoning
them to England that he might see them
once more and forgive them. They went
home Immediately, and were detained
there by his long and tedious illness, and
| afterward by business and family COM
| plicatiOns, so that it was three years be-
fore they found their way to Frankfort
again, and then the pawnbroker was gone,
leaving no clue.
cit has always been the subject of in
tense regret to u.s." said Mr.. Vereham, at
the conclusion of his story. "And my
mother has described the locket to me
thousand times, grieving to think how
she had let it slip out of her possession.
The moment saw you first, Miss Madge,
my eyes were riveted by your chain and
locket, and determined at once to make
your acquaintance, and as soon as we
were on sufficient friendly terms to war
rant it, to ask you about this antique Or
nament."
By this time was self-possessed and
| proud. My little love dream was dashed
to the earth; but no one should dream it
had existed.
''The locket is undoubtedly yours" l
said briefly. "It was lent me by an old
schoolmate, daughter of a pawnbroker.
He is German Jew, and his account of
it comedies with yours. l will return it
to him to morrow, and give you his ad-
dress, that you may reclaim it"
MIR. Vereham was delighted beyond
measure, and thanked me earnestly, wear
ing such a radiant face when we emerged
from the conservatory 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. 81
declare, Madge darling, 1 never want to
see the man againl'
All, WE'LL AS in the old fairy tale, the
bell had rung midnight, the festival was
over, and Cinderella must go back to
everyday life. returned home, and to
my teaching, feeling very grave and ex-
perienced after my winters dissipation,
and with my mind fully made up that l
should never marry. But somehow the
work of teaching did not 60 on so lightly
as it used, when had vague little sweet
| romantic Iroop,o Df 1ouo fhof NOV oorno