Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-27
HEARTS OR DIAMONDS.

HEARTS OR DIAMONDS.
at we were only rich" Sarah sighed,
Il need not do such work as this !"
Lola, Sarah. widowed sister. twelve
years older titan the seyenteen-year
beauty, who wa. sewing and signing,
only said. gently. I'VE are no poorer to
day than we have been for many years
Sarah"
No; but" ialtered Sarah, dropping
her blue eyes. lit IS my birthday. and |
would like to have something to wear to
Aunt Kqtc's this evening. No matter
how much | trouble myself over this
dress l. is an old muslin, after all"
But it will look very nice"
Nice ~ said the girl. impaiiently; 81
want something more than nice ! am
tired OF turning old dresses, dyeing bon
net-ribbons, patching, darning, and con-
irving"
1--WE should be thankful We are not
obliged to work for a living, Sarah. |
know it requires close economy to make
our income meet our expenses; but we
have the cottage and plenty to eat and
drink, with 4 margin Tor neat clothing"
but | want dresses, jewelry, car
risge! | want to try what it is being
rich"
Sarah I" Lola said, looking at her sis.
ter. "What has Mr.. Gilbert Lee been
saying to you 2'
The crimson blood tinged SArah's face
and throat, and her fingers trembled over
her work.
Tell mel" urged Lola.
Nothing. At least. nothing more
than he has said hundred times before.
But he wants to see me this afternoon,
and-and-"
Sarah paused again, and then said
speaking very rapidly, Il promised
Charley he should go with us to Aunt
Kate's this evening"
And you think this afternoons inter
view will make you regret your prom
ise?' Lola said, sadly.
Il dom, know
Sarah put her work aside abruptly ard
took 3 seat ut her sisters feet.
IL don't know, Lola. Lola, did you
love Frank very, very much ?"
"Yes, dear"
And yet he was poor. He only left
you the cottage and garden when he
died. Were-were you ever sorry you
married o poor man, Lola"
Never, Sarah!" was the firm answer.
mo wealth could have made me as hap
py as Franks love. We were poor,
worked hard, AMI had heavy sorrows
when our babies died OF scarlet fever,
both on the same day, when Frank broke
his arm and lost his situation-bitterest
of all sorrows, when Frank, too, died 4;
but never regretted my marriage for
one moment, Sarah. II il were all TO
live over, would marry Frank"
Then there was long silence; then
Sarah said in u low tone Colbert Lee is
very rich, Lola. His wife need not turn
old dresses, nor cook dinners"
"Gilbert Lees wife may be very happy,
Sarah. He is man tor whom | have
great respect--an honorable man, gen.
erOus and tender; but Sarah, his vile
will not be happy il she does not love
him.
The door-bell rang at this moment, and
Sarah went out, returning with a small
package aud bouquet OF choice flowers.
Two presents, Lola !" she said. with
a flush OF pleasure on her round cheek.
"No name with either, only a card OF
birthday congratulations. The flowers
are from Charley, am sure. He always
sends me q bouquet Tor party. But
this-oh, Lola Did you ever see any
thing SC superb? ?"
For the little package, upon being
opened, was found to contain. a jewel
casket, upon whose cushion OF deep pur-
PIE velvet rested q diamond bracelet,
throwing forth rays of brilliant light
from its clasp of pure gems. Even
Lola gave cry of admiration as SARAH
clasped it upon her round. white arm
"Gilbert Lee ~ Sarah said, land his
wife may wear such bracelets with satin
and velvet robes. See how it sparklos
Lola Oh, never saw anything halt 50
beautiful in nay li!em
"It is beautiful" Lola answered, with
painful contraction at the heart, as she
watched her young sisters beautiful
countenance, radiant with pleasure Mt her
gift. "But you are forgetting your
flowers, Sarah. Shall put them in
water for you?"
"Yes," said Sarah, still turning the
bracelet on her arm, "if you will, Lola.