The Van Buren press., 1874-11-17
her sisters husband.

"Girls, " said Charles, that evening,
coming into their parlor. "lve come TO
give YOU warning. There's story
aaoat about your young Ednonds They
say his diamonds are all paste. His ser
want told some men at the hotel so. You
must be cautious, you know. 1t may be
true. He may be an imposter
Maud started Elsie grew pale. Grace
looked indignant. The entrance of some
stranger stopped the talk, but not the
consideration of the subject, and later oa
when all the house was still, Elsie sough
an interview with her cousin Charles,
and showed him her ring, and told him
It's story.
at will be as well to have it tested, y
she said. 81 don't want to make any
mistakes.
You're cool girl" said the cousin
in admiration. "I'll have the thing
done
An hour afterwards another riag wa
in his care Maud had brought hers
But Grace never thought of doubling
that the glittering stone on which she
had dropped tears was genuine.
Cousin Charles went city ward that
day, and returned very pale aud serious
He bowed coldly to young Edmonds rs
he passed him on the piazza; and Elsie
and Maud knew what had happened when
they had looked athim, bat each went foi
the jewelers. verdict all the same, As
rendered by Charles, it vas this:
Paste, by Joye"
Then the girls waxed furious They
exchanged condolences. They told little
Grace. and cousin Charles did his part
Society had cut Mr. Edmonds before the
next night came, and the landlord regard
cd him douhtfuly, as one whose bill was
not likely to he paid. Only one friend
stood by hint was little Grace One
day, as she saw him walking on the
beach, she went to him and held out her
hand.
"Mr. Edmonds,' she sail, i want
YOU to know that mot chat am any
body, but still don't believe that yer
knew it, The old gentleman that lef'
them to you deceived you, ! AIN sure
Please to tell every one so. | know yot
never could be an adventurer, and it !:
not your fault the diamonds were false
and | thought I'd like to shake hand'
and say so
"Thank you," he said, holding out
his hand $50 Won don't doubt me.
mo, said Grace 81 don't see how
any one can 4"
Yet knew those were bits OF paste
when | gave them, - said Mr., Edmonds
4" / knew that they were not genuine dia
monds. Yes, I'm as bad as that. What
now, Miss Oracle ?"
She looked ruefully into his face.
I'm sure that can't be true, said she
" Please say it isn't Eve thought sc
well of yop. ~
Gracic, said young Elnonds
" think well of me still The story OF
tho old mans generosity was quite true
| have, and can prove that have. dia'
monds that are worth at least million OF
money, but ! gave bits Of paste to three
Young ladies, because | knew that CIR
who fixed me for my diamonds would be
shrewd enough to have them tested, and
that girl who liked me for myself would
doubt neither the gems nor the truth
Thank you, Oracle. All this little world
shall know that am not an adventnrei
before tomorrow dawns. IL shall bt
known that you have not misplaced your
confidence Have you your ring, little
lady ~
She took il from her pocket book. III
moment mere he had exchanged it fol-
another
Only you must wear this, F" he said
And Oracle. looking into his eyes
knew what he meant, and wore IT,
1t was the wedding of the season, thai
of Grace Ripley and Robert Edmonds
and if the two bridesmaids ever forgayC
the bridegroom they were ashamed tc
own it. The most mercenary girls pre-
tend to sentiment, at least while they ART
young, and both declare in public to this
day that they never credited the absurc
scandal, and that Grace and Mr. El
monds had been engaged =" for ages
when it arose.