The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-06-20


and had come to the city to make his
fortune. 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 bows sole patrinony. The rent of
lis domain scarcely sufficed to clothe
the Young clerk, buthe had been win
ming his way in the house of I. &, Co,
and now. if he could make three thou
sand dollars, mighe be partner. The
farm might bring part of that sum;
where was the rest to come from.
oueried Ciertie. Yet over Harry's mem
ory picture the little maiden fingered
lovingly. There was no part of her
life so pleasant to 1well upon as that
where he figured. Long walks and
talks, duets ovsE,s.S old piano, chats
by moonlight, ;ht aud gaslight.
He was so ten loving, so hon
orahle and tru respectful TO her
mother, so T.. TO Jane, and so
ready to ~ q assist James
sucR< ? u s! IIl
sacrii s. 81 :,
| six months befS1s IS 1rsing fit upon
Gertie. She had R him at a party
and had bewitchedk kSn by her pretty,
piquant beauty, <Eace and voice.
He had dazzled haSDBy his handsome
| face-Harry was not handsome, poor
! fellow, Gertie sighed - and wealth.
| But the young girl knew, with a wo-
mans intuition, that under the courtly
manners, fattering attentions and devo-
ted air there was hard, selfish nature.
a cruel jealousy and a suspicious and
/ hot temper Yet he was so rich, and
1 Gertie knew all the torture and misery
of genteel poverty.
" Be true to your own heart y she
| said aloud as she arose and walked
| across the room. " Do l love Leon
/ Payne? Ii he should lose his wealth
would be a true and loving wife to him
still Could l wear old bOnnets for his
/ sake p
She took mp the diamonds and put
them on while she spoke. They flashed
/ brilliantly against the deep crimson of
/ her neat dress and heightened the effect
of her young, fresh beauty.
- If he were poor and i'll could /
work for him-as 1 could for Harry %
/ It burst from her lips in a sort of cry,
/ and she tor, off the Jewels and replaced
/ them in their velvet bed. " [ could
/ bear all this for Harry but not for Leon
/ Payne. I viii be true TO my own heart.
The winter was gliding into spring
when MB. jameson sat III a luxurious
/ house on street, waiting the com
/ ing of two brides. The parlOr in which
she waited was richly furnished. Vel
vet carpets covered the floor, velvet cur
tains draped the windows, long mirrors
threw back the light of large chandc-
liers costly pictures in heavy gilt
. frames hung upon the walls. Above
( large bedrooms were filed with hand
somely appointed furniture. In one
/ room. lace; velyets, flowers and silks
fit for rovl trOusseau filed drawers
and wardrobe the dining-reom was
spread for arich and varied repast, and
the widows own dress, though only
black silk, vas rich and handsomely
made.
"My littleGertie, said Mrs. Jane
son, softly, chow Will she ever reign
over this palace "
quieter hope, but pleasant, too,
md received az 'onyriielig ssIFS thar
enabled him to accept a business open
ing long looked umn as an unattaina-
BILE felicity But Jane was to spend a
few days with Gertie before going to
her own home, and the mother looked
for two brides, as Isad before.
It was nearly midnight when the car
riage drove up. Gsrtie was the first 10
her mothers arms, and then, as Jane
took her place. thelittle bride stood in
the center of the long parlors pale with
astonishment She had tossed off her
bonnet, and the soft gray travelling
dress Of the mistress of the house
seemed oddly ont Of place.
Where am 1? she gasped at last.
d" At home, my dirling," and her hus-
band passed his am around her waist.
Home ?"
"It is not such very long story"
he said, looking down into her Won
drous eyes, {" but Ibid not tell you be-
fore, because I wanted to see if you
loved me"
She nestled Close to him, letting her
head fall upon his bosom.
g The farm, Gerie," he said >oftly,
" was full of oil.
coil !"
81 sold it for more money than Leon
PAYNE ever possessed. Now, Pet, run
up stairs mother will show you the
room, and let me see how some of the
finery there suits you. >"
"But it is nearly midnight.
Z" Never mind, we want a queen to
preside over this supper"
Mrs. jameson led the way, while
Jane and her husband stood as Devil
dered as Gertie had been. Suddenly
5 the bridegroom started forward to grasp
? Harry's hand.
: care we not brothers ?" said Harry
, quietly.
There was a little talk then, with
husky voices and moist eyes, and Jane
was still looking grateful into Harry S
face when the door opened and Gerte
flashed in. All the light had come back
} t. her eyes, the rich color to her cheeks,
3 and the shining silk revealed snowy
arms and shoulders, while rich lace fell
l in folds around. - sweeping skirts.
Upon her clu Il curls rested a
wreath of whit. <5a Frs, and rare brace
lets clasped hei rs. She made low
reverence to aand.
..: :#,! i s. ! l.. T..
8 tine
"You sent prryl I sent them
9 back to Leon
It was certail years later when,
e one evening S Mrs. Clarke's re
/ ceptions. Mrs. Leon Payne said to her
t pointing to her jewels:
: .It was the oldest thing about these
diamonds. Somebody sent them tc
Leon for a valentine, years ago. He
never could guess where they came
!. from. for. of course, the lady must have
(. been wealthy, though why she sent
i ladv's 21aTltre to gentleman is a mys
o tery. Are they not lovely, Mrs
" Clarke ?"