Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-12-29

She could not ! She was colllng them
into the case again, when her mothers
hollow cough broke on her ear.
"For her sake she murmured, her
face whitening in the gloom. ''Yes, God
help me, for her sake must p
She closed the casket resolutely, and
slipping it in her pocket, hurried out in
to the darkening streets. Only block
or two from Mrs. Draper's was fash
ionable jewelry establishment, every
window a blaze of light. With her heart
in her mouth Janet entered, and glanced
down the long line of gayly-dressed Gus
TONER'S 1t would be half an hour at
least, she saw, before she could be wait
ed on, and that would be too late. And
after all, perhaps, Mrs. Draper might
let her have part of her monthly pay,
and she would not be forced to sell the
emeralds just yet. Glad of any pretext
or excuse for keeping her precious gems.
she hurried from the shop; but thoughts
of her mother and poor, disappointed
little Alice brought the binding tears
to her eyes. Life was very desolate.
Alas what would the New Year bring
to her ? She ran along briskly, with a
dreadful aching at her heart, till she
reached the stylish residence of her en-
ployer.
..Oh, Miss Arbuthnot, here you are, /"
cried Mrs. Draper, as Janet tapped at
the door of the dressing-room. "Come
in, we're in dreadful need of help. Ag-
nes is in despair no one can do her
hair to suit her; will you have the good
ness to try p
Janet laid aside her wraps, and ap-
preaching the superb beauty, who sat in
an armchair opposite the mirror, mag
nifcently attired in gold-eolored silk,
began the task of arranging the lustrous,
raven hair.
''And now," asked Janet, when her
task was done, and every braid was per-
feet, "what ornaments shall you wear p
"Emeralds, of course. Green and gold
are his fayorite colors. you know, moth
er, replied Agnes, smiling and blush
ing. There is the jewel-case, Miss Ar
buthnot
Janet opened it, and clasped the gilt
tering gems on neck and wrists, and
hung the cleaning pendants from the
beautys ears.
"And what for your hair? p she asked.
"Who knows ?'' replied the beauty,
discontentedly. "Flowers, | suppose. If
only had emeralds to match my neck
lace. Pshaw p she continued, as Janet
held wreath of rose-buds against her
jetty braids, ''take them away. They
spoil everything else. Nothing but en-
eralds will do.
Wont your pearls answer?" sugges-
ted her mother.
"Pearls mixed with emeralds ! You
would make a fright of me, mamma.
Oh, dear shall have to take off the
dress, and wear something else
Janet hesitated moment, and then
drew the little casket from her pocket
Il beg your pardon. Miss Draper,
she said, timidly, flashing open the case
'.but if these would suit, | should be SO
pleased
"Why, Janet" cried the heiress, lift.
ing the glittering string from the case,
'are you another Cinderella ? But where,
she added, in surprise, 'sdid you get
these costly gems %
"They we're the gift of dear friend, y
replied Janet, quietly. 81 meant to sell
them this evening, but my heart failed
me-"
"Why, I'll buy them, if they are 70,
SALE" kindly said the heiress. "Oh
mother, do look here ! Was ever any.
thing so magnificent ?" she cried, excl
tedly, twining the gorgeous string round
her raven braids. "May | wear them to
night, Janet %
sin welcome" said Janet.
"Well, well,' continued Agnes, with
a sigh of satisfaction, '.there never wa,
such a god-send my dress is perfect
now. | shall not forget your kindness
Miss Arbuthnot"
And she swept down to the parlors
the emeralds encircling her brow like al
aureola of light. Janet looked after he
with an odd sensation of mingled pair
and pleasure, and half regretted the i'm
pulsive generosity, that had prompted
her to proffer her precious emeralds
even for so short time.
The tableaux were over, and the waltz
ing had begun. Mr.. Willoughby, tn
lion of the season, who had just COM
from Calcutta, a millionaire. approached
to seek Miss Draper for his first partner
You have surpassed yourself, to
night, Miss Agnes he said, his eye
full of admiration, as they rested on he
queenly face.
Agnes flushed with pleasure. Th'
music struck up, and he turned to lea,
her off, butt suddenly stopped, starin
like one petrifed.
"Great heavens p he exclaimed, a
last, ''they are the same ! Miss Draper
excuse me But / cannot be mistaken