The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-05-22

tlll ne IS aDle 10 Srcilu more freely.
eyes, dear, there would be no va
r%iations on the turned cloth and re-
trimmed bonnets ; no velvet flowers, no
jewels"
"But such a noble, true heart ; such
tender love!
"Leon Payne loves you"
Gas much as he loves anything be.
yond his own pleasure and comfort.
He is so thoroughly selfish, so hard,
and thinks so much of himself. 1t is
his wife that must be handsomely
dressed, ride in her carriage, and re-
fleet credit upon his choice. Mamma,
he loves me because 1 nm pretty and
can sing well, ard a manage his
house nicely. Harry loves me because
it is l."
There was a violent jerk at the door
bell at that instant that called her to
the door. She came back with flying
feet.
1.-TWO valentines, mamma! 1 had
| forgotten it was the fourteenth"
1.-TWO? ,"
"Yes, oh, mamma, look !"
She had torn the cover from n dainty
package in her hand and opened a mo-
rocco case inside. Upon the black vel
vet lining lay a parure of glittering
diamonds, flashing up, where a stray
sunbeam fell upon them, into a glorious
sea of color.
"Leon Payne !" cried Gertie. care
they not exquisite ?"
Mrs. Jameson's lips quivered a little
rs she looked at her daughters flushed
face and bright eyes, and her heart sent
up a silent prayer for the future, trem-
bling before her eyes.
"Look at the other" she said
quietly.
"Only a copy of verses" said Gertie.
"Niolet eyes and all that sort of thing.
But are not these diamonds magniti-
cent? 1t is the very set l admired
so much when we were out the other
day."
"Gertie, it is II o'clock. and I must
go to Mrs. Lewis. Little daughter,
you may nave callers while / am ont"
She drew her child into her arms,
and looked with anxious love into her
eyes.
"Geltie, my daughter, be true to
your own heart" And so she left
her.
True to her own heart. Gertie Jane
son sat down TO ponder over those
words. The diamonds flashed out their
glorious waves Of light before her
eyes; the copy of verses lay open on
the little workable, and Gertie sat
musing. Pictures of the past came in
succession into her memory.
It was ten years ago, but she could
still remember the day. since her father
had been called to the shadow land.
The luxurious country home where she
and Jane, her eldest sister, were born,
was sold and they had come to the
city. Her mother, one Of the finest
amateur pianists OF her time, had begun
to teach music, and they had lived upon
her earnings until Jane was old enough
to take the French class in a large
seminary, and Gert:e to have singing
at home but even with these
additions their income was very limited.
Close economy, sclf-denial, humble fare
and quiet dress, Gertie could recall
much more distinctly than the wealth
her father had s~quandered.
Where did Harry Clarke come upon
the scene? Gcriie scarcely knew. He
was a step-son Of her mothers brother,
and had come to the city TO make his
Far away in the central part
Of Pennsylvania nestled a small farm
where Harry was born, where father
and mother had died, and which was
the boys sole patrimony. The rent of
his domain scarcely suiliced to clothe
the young clerk. but he had been win
ming his way III the house of [. Il Co.,
and now, If he could make three thou
sand dollars, might be a partner. The
farm might bring part of that sum,
where was the rest to come from,
Gertie. Yet over Harry's mem
Dry picture the little maiden fingered
lovingly. There was no part of her
life so pleasant to dwell upon as that