The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-19

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house but once in his lifr,7 exclaimed
CLARA, when told her that night, land
that was srief party call, 1t is decd
cd case orloyc at list signt my dcarn
[ Was III almost wanted to think so
myself rs fell asleep dreaming Of Mr..
Vercham. He called few evening, after.
was even mop agreeable than at thesoirie,
and then he lclt, invited me to 90 sleigh.
riding with him the next day.
"lle'n propose, next thing you know
said Clara, sageiy, "rhcsc grave bache.
lons always do it very Suddenly. have
knownit to happen more than once my
SELF
"Would you wear the locket, CLAM ~ |
asked, as was getting ready for the ride.
"Well, | don't know replied Clara,
thOughtiully, "Yes II will look so
handsome against your black velvet jack
ct, and they wear theiu on the street a
great deal this winter.n
We had grand slcishride, the strong
black horses carrying us like the wind
again and again around the principal drives
Of the Park. All the world was ont, and
1t was a brilliant scene, intestiiied every
few momeuts by some Of the fast horses
breaking INTO race was in the high
est possible spirits; and when we turned
homuward felt rs il 1t was the closing Ofa
triumphul march.
Il beg your pardon; but that is very
rare and curious l0Cket that you wear,h
said Mr.. Vcrcham, as he assisted me ont
OF the sleigh.
Ycs.n | answered, cOniuscdly; aud
gathering up my furs, hurried through
thanks and leaye-takiHg, and ran into tue
house. | had such dread Of any one
questioning mt about the lockct, and find
ing out that had borrowed it Of a pawn
broker.
The next two or three times that met
Mr.Vcreham did not wear it, was real
~ beginning to think a good deal ofhu, in
a romantic sort Of way, and Clara's rail-
lery only added 10 il. II seemed To me
that | never had seen, never should see,
any one that could like so well rs | did
Dudley Vercham.
Thea came presently cards for party
which was to be the party Of the season.
Clara was getting up lOI herself some won
dcriully Cloud.like drapcry, with pearls aud
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 arc perfect violet she said,
when was ready. "Ilcrc, use SOME Of this
violet powder, child and let me pour some
sau de riol,is on your handkerchief There
is charming great conservatory at Mrs.
lIart's, and perhaps Mr.. Vcrrham will ask
YOU to walk there with him. We girls
have counted up Mt least ten proposals that
have been made in that conservatory this
wintcr.n
| must confess that my heart beat tu-
multuOusly when, in the course Of that
neyer-to.be.iOrgottCn evening, Mr.. We're
ham, us Clara had predicted, invited me to
walk with hm in the conservatory. took
his arm all III u ilutter, half terror, half hap
piness, and in few moments we stood
among the camellias and caCtuses. lie
talked about the plants at first, showing
me some that he had been blOss0luing in
their own 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 Orangc-trcc,
there was a moments silence. Mr.. We're
ham appeared somewhat embarrassed.
"May ask, he said, hesitatingly'-" !
have been wishing long time to ask
would you tell me, Miss Madgc, the history
OF your unique lOcketN
/ supposed looked surprised, for h. has
tened to add, Let me tell you my story
first, and then you will pardon my curios-
ity."
And while stood there silent, summon
ing all my scll-control, he told it. His
grandfather, it seemed, was one Of the
Younger sons OF an old Engli.h family Of
nobility. Ills mother, when a girl, was
presented with a curious antique locket, at
the time Of her confirmation, by an aunt,
who was also hcr gOdmother 1t was given
heras n priceless treasurc,it having belonged
to the family for at least two centuries.
She consequently made love match
which was displeasing to her relatives, and
lett home and country to ,harc the for
tunes Of her young husband At last,whcn
in Germany, pressed by the utmost neces-
sity, for they had with many reycrses,
they were obliged to pawn the lockct,
hoping by good luck to redeem it speed
Ii ily. But the very next day they received
Letters telling them Of Ms. Vereham's ia
TIERS 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 complications, so
that ii was three years before they found
their way to Frankfort again, and then
the pawnbroker was gone, leaving no clue.
{" has always been the subject Of in
tense regret to us" 'aid Mr.Vcfeham, Mt
the conclusion OF his story. "And my mo
ther has described the lockct to me hun
drcd Zines, gricying to think how shehad
let it sin out Of her possession. The mo-
ment saw you first, Miss Madgc, my
ewes were riycted by your chain and lock-
ct, and | determined at once to make your
acquaintance, as soon as we were on suili
ciently friendly terms to warrant it, to
ask YOU about your antique ornament.
By this time l was self.possessed and
proud Ny little love dream was dashed
TO the Garth; but no one should dream
II had existed.
"The lockct is undoubtedly yours" !
said, briefly. alt was lent me by an old
school.mate, daughter Of pawnbroker.
He is a German jew, and his account of it
comedies with yours. / will return II to
LIN, tn-n,nrrn,r nnl niYn Won his nlhIess