Connecticut western news., 1877-02-09
THE AMBER NECKLACE

She was very naughty and indifferent, like her fair mother, and she held her head high as she walked among her friends, but deep in her heart lay the warm, smoldering fire that the blood of her Portuguese father had kindled, and the one weakness of her life was an unwavering faith in the dear old legends that her father was so fond of telling, One of the precious heirlooms in the Fasquel family was long rosary of wonderful carvings, in the pale, silvery tints of clouded Turkish amber, or the deep, sunshiny gold or rare Persian specimens. This had descended to the present Vasquel, and he cared for it with almost superstitious reverence but when he married Margaret Dale, so cold and stately to all the rest of the world, so-winsome and loving to him, she had coaxed from his strong box of treasure trove the wonderful amber rosary as an ornament for her fair, white neck. He had given it but unwillingly into her keeping, and she had worn it in triumph over her pale blue satin dress.
 She went out one chilly, dreary morn- ing, unbeknown to him, and returned with burning cheeks and shining eyes, when the fierce November storm was at its worst. For several days she was very sick with sudden attack of in- dammation about the lungs that hushed her sweet voice and made her breathing heavy and painful. Then just when they thought the crisis past and that she would soon recover she died. Through the brief, bewildering days of her illness Vasquel never thought of the amber rosary, but in the terrible stiffness that followed her death and burial he had time to think of everything, and it was then he missed the precious relic. Lit tie Margaret was two years old then, and wondrously beautiful. Into her uncon- scious baby ears the father poured his hopeless vail of agony for the loss of his wife, and his fretful complaining that the Vasquel talisman was lost. Baby Margaret comforted him with her in- fantlle caresses and cooed her inarticu- late blessing to his wounded heart.
 Fifteen years had passed since her mothers death, and "proud Miss Vas quel " walked in regal indifference among the score of friends and fatterers who clung about her, despite a dim financial r1lmor that the Vasquel property was slowly diminishing in value for want of proper attention. Senor Vasquel had lost heart and courage in the long, lone- ly years in which his only light and con- fort was his darling girl. But she was proud and beautiful, and felt that in some mysterious way the fate of the family depended upon her.
 "I want my portrait painted" she said, one day, to friend of hers; Senor Reno, whom she knew was connoisseur in art. Father has mourned all my life that he has no picture of mamma ; he does not seem to think how badly he would feel if should vanish from his sight forever, and leave no shadowy semblance." -
 Senor Reno took immediate interest ln this matter, and soon invited Miss Vasquel to the exhibition at the academy of design, to study the different styles of few fine artists, and choose between them. She chose one, for the strangely familiar look in a child face he had con tributed, more than for any special skill ln manipulation that the picture evinced. Stlll Senor Reno approved her choice, said the young artist she had selected was conscientious about his work and sklllful in it's execution. The sittings were commenced the next day, and the picture soon completed.
 f It is superb likeness" said Senor Reno, admiringly.
 "Yes," answered the young lady, with a curious look; " but I did not know I looked so much like porcelain"
 The artist smiled gravely.
 It is true,". he said, the face is without enthusiasm, but it has the possi- bilities of life and soul, if only I knewwhat would interest you. Is there no costume you would be pleased to assume, no character you might represent with glad ness ?"
 "There is @ costume" she said, Gin which would delight to be painted, I wonder did not think of it before"
 Without further explanation she went away. In few days there came to the studio an elegant costume, suitable for a. Portuguese lady of high rank. Soon thereafter came Miss Vasquel, and ar- rayed herself in the quaint dress. A high, pointed comb held a long black veil, which dropped mantilla-ike over a pale blue satin corsage, shading her rose tinted shoulder and round white arms. A satin cloak, edged lightly with cider OOWQ, uunS 1rOm one SnOulQer, fastened by showy, silken cords, and soft, thick tassels.
 1T hate these ornaments" said Miss Vasquel, touching the heavy gold chain and dead gold band bracelets. "They look like manacles. But diamonds never paint well, and have no pearl necklace. ]"
 The artist came to her aid, and with his critical gravity undisturbed, though his eyes were alight with admiration for his beautiful subject.
 "You are very right to distrust the effect of dead gold,' he said; "but, I think, If you are not averse to the an tique, I have something more appro- priate. :" ..... IF
 Slowly unlocking a heavy chest, he brought out a strange ebony easket, and from it's satin and sandal wood interior