The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1878-08-15
THE STOLEN LOCKET,

In bdc OtNE1Aktg AuA utoucu 0IHW1ng-
room of west-end mansion sat young
man whose genteel bearing, broad, noble
brow, from which his chestnut hair was
tossed back in graceful carelessness, and
large thoughtful eyes bespoke him to be
one of natures neblemen. He was evil
IDENTIFY waiting impatiently for some one,
for. as slight noise was heard ON the
landing, he would start, and fix his eyes
eagerly upon the door.
AT last, apparently unable to sit still
any longer, he arose, and, walking to the
window, stood tapping neryously on the
glass, and watched with listless eyes the
chameleon-like crowd that passed. While
thus occupied he failed to hear a slight
rustic, as a girlish figure entered the
room, and gliding softly to his side,
touched him lightly upon the arm; his
quick start, and the loving yet gentle
manner in which he gathered her 10 his
heart, showed at glance that they
While they hold sweet converse, let us
pause q moment, while / describe my
heroine.
She was of medium height, Of slen.
der, delicate figure, and possessed a
nameless grace of movement, which,
added to her other charms, had won her
the name, among her many admirers, of
Nellie the Irresistible" Her beauty
was Of the true blonde type, and. clad as
she was in q shining blue dress, she
looked worthy of the name. On her
arms cleaned with tswny luster broad
golden bands; and from one of these ,sus-
pended by q small chain, hung tiny,
heart-shsped locket, one side of which
bore q forget1me-not set of turquoise,
with brilliant diamond sparkling 10 the
center.
Guy Hartley, tor such was our hero's
name, had called, glad Of an excuse, to
acquaint Nellie with some arrangement
which he had just completed with regard
to their soon approaching marriage; and,
after short time passed in pleasant con-
versation, be reluctantly rose, and, bid
ding tender adieu to the fair girl, left
the house with q firm, elastic tread.
Hardly had be taken his departure
when the front door bell again rang, and
once mere a young gentleman was usher
ed into the drawing room. The new
conner was tall and slight, with jet black
hair, and piercing look in the black
eyes that boded no good to an enemy.
As he sank into achair, something ghs.
tening upon the floor caught his eye !;
and as he recognized it he could scarce
refrain from shout of pleasure for
Fred Acton had long been the secret
rival of Guy, each striving to win the
hand of fair Nellie Pomeroy. And now,
as he held in his grasp the tiny locket,
which, by some evil chance, had become
detached from the bracelet on Nellie's
arm, he felt that he possessed AZ almost
certain means Of revenge on Guy, and
stood, perhaps, better chance of win
ming the fair girl for his wife; for the
locket, as he knew, had been Guys FIRST
love gift to Nellie, and was priced as one
Of her choicest possessions.
At this moment, the footman entered
the parlor, presenting Miss PomeFoy'sI
regrets, and . request that Mr.. Aeon
would excuse her that afternoon. The
truth was that with her womanly intui
ton she had long ago diyined the secret
which be had thought known to himself
alonei and, having ever treated him
with polite indifference, she felt less in
eiined now than ever to endure q
tcte-a7sete with him.
Rising as the footman entered with
her message, and scarcely able to con-
eesl the pleasure it afforded him at this
moment, when he was still trembhngl
with the fear ~ having been seen - be |
hastily hid the shining haGble in his
bosom. be left his compliments and de-
parted.
Going directly to 4 jewelers. he pur-
chased small ring, with which be fast
ened the lockst securely to his watch
chain, and then sauntered down the
street, IN the hope Of meeting Guy. His
wish was destined 70 he fulfIled for he |