Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-03-27
FROM AN UNSEEN
HAND.

"What an odd idea, FlOrence-s
bracelet instead of an engagement
own2"
My own, mamma"
Florence Atherton turned from the
window, out of which she had beer
gazing, and drew near her mothers
side.
Even in the vague twilight glimmer
ing that filed, just then, the sitting
room at Eight E)ms, it was easy to SEE
! what an exquisite softness. of express
sion the young girls face wore. framed
in feecy afluence of pale, golden hair,
and lighted with deep blue, earnest
eyes.
"You know, mamma, that most o1
my ideas are odd," Florence went on
presently, in mild, meditative tones.
II have a fancy that something which
merely clasps the finger is not Lalf SC
strong love bond as something which
clasps the arm. However this may be,
Victor has yielded to my wish, and
has promised that I shall have the
bracelet by tonight
"Victor would give you his head,
Florence, if you were only to put the
request persuasively enoug III z" q voice
in the doorway now exclaimed; and
Letitia Atherton entered the room q
moment later.
She was, perhaps, two years the
junior of her sister Florence, and
though belonging to wholly opposite
type of beauty was yet fair to look
upon. Her eyes and hair were of orient.
al darkness her figure. though yet
scarcely developed to it's utmost, pro-
phetic of faultless symmetry and ripe
ness; and the abandon of her graceful
carriage and gestures would have been
sufficient to fascinate many q male
heart, even if their accompanying
charms had not existed.
"Yo1 are sure, Florence" asked
Mrs. Atherton, that Victor will arrive
from the city this evening?"
$50 he assured me, " was the answer.
~ always believe Victor's promises,
mamma"
Late that evening Florence's lover
made his appearance at Eight Elms.
bringing with him the bracelet ian
exquisite shackle.shaped piece of
Etruscan gold, studded with fine
opals), which, as we know, his tioncec
had considered preferable to the more
conventional engagement ring.
This Victor Buchanan was a fine,
manly looking fellow, whom Florence
had met several months previously
whilst on visit to some relatives in
New York ; and the acquaintance then
formed between herself and her pres
ent lover had rather speedily ripened
into an attachment The match was a
brilliant one for Florance, as Victor
Buchanan was already the possessor of
a large fortune, inherited from his de
ceased parents.
A month after the evening on which
Florence's singular love gauge was
brought to her, she became the wife ol
Victor Buchanan, and bade her mother
and sisters farewell, for what promised
to be at least years absence among
the sights and diversions of European
tour.
The young bride was so perfectl,
happy at the thought of being finally
united to whom she almost worshipei
as a god, that in her farewells ther.
was little evidence Of actual sorrow
while Mrs. Atherton boro mp with al
mirablc self control in saying adieu t,
her first born and best loved daughter
Letitia, however, wept very bitterly.
81 am the most miserable creature
in all christendom, she walled on tin
afternoon of the day Which had wit
messed Florence's departure IL don
care to live an hour longer"
"Nonsense, Letitia, said her mothe,
very reprovingly II am afraid, dal
ling, that your sorrow springs NOR
from envy of your SISTERS happincs
than regret for her Absence"
= Perhaps you arc right, murmure
the newly created Miss Atherton.
suppose [ shall have to NOPE here a
dismal old Fight Elms all Che rest {
my days. Why can't Auntie Wilkinso
invite me to 60 and visit her in Ne,
, York, and at least run the chance c
catching splendid husband, lik
Florence9 But, OF course, she won It 4
. it it isn't my luck that she should.
| Nor did she. And very drc.r,
| society-less year passed over the hea
OF our Respondent Letitia. At the en-
OF that time q fearful blow was deal