Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-11-01
SELECTED STORY
~oo~~~~-o~ooo--~
THE OPAL BRACELET.

THE OPAL BRACELET.
"What an odd idea, Florepoe-a bracelet
instead Of an engagement ring Was it Vic
tors idea, or your own p
"My own, mamma"
Florence Anterior turned from the win.
dow, out of which she had been gazing, and
drew near her mothers side.
Even in the vague twilight glimmer that
filled, just then, the setting room at Eight
eIms, it was easy to see what an exquisite
softness Of expression the young girls face
wore, framed in aeccy afHuence of pale gold
en- hair, and lighted With deep blue earnest
eyes.
"You know, mamma, that most of my
ideas are Old" Florence went on presently,
in mild, meditative tones. Il have fancy
that something which merely clasps the
finger is not half so strong love bond as
something which clasps the arm. However
this may be, Victor has yielded to my wish,
and has promised that | shall have the
bracelet by tonight"
"Victor would give you his head, Flor
ence, if you were only to put the request
persuasively enough!' voice in the door
way now exclaimed: and Lctitia Anterior
entered the room moment later.
She was, perhaps, two years the junior of
her sister Florence, and though belonging
to wholly opposite type Of beauty, was yet
very fair to look upon. Her eyes and hair
were of oriental darkness; her figure,
though yet scarceley developed to its utmost,
prophetic faultless sy mmetery and ripeness /;
and the abandon of her graceful carriage
and gestures would have been sufficient to
faecinate many male heart, even If their
accompanying charms had not existed.
''You are sure. Florence" asked Mrs
Anterior, ''that Victor will arrive from the
city this evening?'
$50 he assured me-" was the answer
Il always believe Victor's promises, NAM
ma"
Later that evening, Florences lover made
his appearance at Eightelms. bringing with
him the bracelet Gan exquisite shackle shap-
ed piece of Etruscan gold, studded with fine
opals,) which, as we know, his fance had
considered preferable to the more conven-
tional engagement ring.
This Victor Buchanan vas fne manly
looking fellow, whom Florence had met sew
eral months previously, whilst on visit to
some relatives in New York and the ac-
quaintance then formed between herself and
her present lover had rather speedily ripen-
ed into an attachment The match was a
brilliant one for Florence, as Victor Buch
anan was already the possessor of large
fortune, inherited from his deceased per-
ents.
A month after the evening on which Flor
ence's singular loye-gage was brought to her
she became the wife Of Victor Buchanan
and babe her mother and sister farewell, for
what promised to be at least years absence
among the sights and diversions of Euro.
pean tour.
The young bride was so perfectly happy
at the thought Of being finally united to one
whom she almost worshiped as God, that
in her farewells there was little evidence of
actual sorrow, while Mrs. Anterior bore up
with admirable self.control in SAYING adieu
to her first born and best-beloved daughter.
Letitia, however, wept very bitterly.
II am the most miserable creature in all
Cbristendom she walled, Oh the afternoon
of the day which had witnessed Florence's
departure; IL don't care to live an hour
longer"
Nonsense, Lettie," said her mother,
very reprovirgly: Il am afraid, darling,
that your sorrow springs more from envy Of
your sisters happiness than regret for her
absence"
'Perhaps you're right" nurmured the
newly-created Miss Anterior. Il suppose
I shall have to NOPE here at dismal old
Eightelms all the rest of my days. Why
can't Auntie Wilkinson invite me to 60 anc
visit her in New York, and at least run the
chance Of catching splendid husband, like
Florence But, of course, she won't DO 1t
it isn't my luck that she should
Nor did she. And very dreary, soce
tyless year passed over the head OF our dc
spondent Letitia. At the end Of that time
fearful blow was dealt her, in the shape
Of her mothers sudden death.
"Aunt Wilkinson" made up for all tht
past neglect thep by Offering the poor
friendless orphan home in her handsome
madison Avenue mansion. There the frs
month that followed Letitia's bereavement
was past. when, with the same suddenes
that attended her first affection, she wa
called upon to bear second.
Victor Buchanan wrote to her, IRON
Paris, letter, filled with the widest ex
pressions of grief, and telling that his below
ed Florence was no more. She had lett
little boy, but the infant had survived 1T
mothers death by not longer than day:
Amid all her grief, Letitia could not b, bu
feel consoled at the intelligence which VIC
tors letter contained, of bis purposed lmme
diate return to New York. His face AM
character were more familiar than those
the comparative strangers, by whom she wa
now surrounded, and it would be an lnez
pressible pleasure to meet him once more
and to hear from his lips the details OF poo
Florence's dying moments.
Auntie Wilkinson, an elderly lady,