The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-30
Ny Sarphires.


Thave been told that my name should
be Becky Sharpe, after Thackeray's hero
inc. But it is not; it's Mrs. Reginald
Amberly. Twill tell you how that hap
pened.
Part of my early life was not unlike
Becky Sharpe's. Like her was an anna
teur teacher in large boarding-school--
snubbed and underpaid-and | learned
only to look out for myself. made a
study of ways and means for my advance
ment. Other girls had assistance for ad-
vancement in the world; devoted relations,
rich papas, strict mamas, brothers OF sue
cessful policy. had no such helps, and
was forced to help myself. | detested the
life !lived, and did not mean to live it
always, ifmy wits could be made to serve
me, as believed they might.
had one friend, Kitty Naples, who |
counted on, and not in vain. | speak the
word friend advisedly. The girl, such is
the law of oppositcs, was devoted to me,
though could scarcely bear her, she was
so simple-mindcd and tedious. | bore
with her, however, because l needed
her.
She was the only daughter of exceed
ingly wealthy people of the city, who were
indulgent to her every whim; of course
every guest of Kitty's was welcome in
their luxurious home, where visitors
were generally of position and wealth. |
meant to spend my vacations with her, and
| soon succeeded
Kitty thought me witty and talented.
Ny audacity must have been marvellous,
for | was always lioness at Naples
House, as the magnificent old estate was
called. In the centre of the city, its walls
rose amidst large garden, full of foun-
tains, statues and flowers. At Christmas,
large party were always entertained
there.
was not pretty but graceful, and what
the French call spiri'uelle; and Kitty, with
her slow, heavy physique and bread-and-
butter. school girl air, set me off to advan-
tage. was too small, pale and light for
beauty, though used to think that with
money could get myself up very effective
: ly. Money had been forced to get along
without. | determined that | would not
, always.
remember how l lived in those days
: my head almost bursting and nerves
twitching with my schemes and plans
! But the "mills Of the gods grind slowly, y
: and the weightiest result of my careful
e endeavors was a familiarity with the GUS
c toms of good society - and my sap
! phires.
+ At the end of three years, Mrs. Naples
g died. Aware that her end was approach
!, ing, she called me to her chamber ant
said
e "Ignata, I have remembered all m.
:. friends, with some little token of my good
It will. earnestly desire your prosperity
3, and | believe you will be prosperous
YOUR talents are 50 remarkable. | thnl
Is some day you will make brilliant ant
L substantial marriage, and | leave you m,
Il sapphire necklace, worn by me in m,
!, youth, to wear on your wedding-day. Yol
IS have admired it, and 1t is very valuable
e not more costly gift than you deserve
however. Take it, and remember Kitty
n mother Always be good friend to M.
$ poor Kitty, Ignatia."
:, | promised, warmly, for was overcom
Il by the magnifcence of the gift. | ha
y seen the necklace in her jewel-box, an
1t been allowed to try it on-or rather it wa
II clasped about my neck by Kitty; she an
her mother declaring the effect ''oharm
ing"
? | had coveted, but never dreamed OF pos
:. sessing it. Now that it was mine, my am
e bition rose higher than ever, and count
IS ed upon its rareness and beauty to aid M
Il in making as good match as the goo
r lady had wished me.
d But even then did not appreciate tn
d magnfcence of the gift, for | soon becom
r embarrassed with my riches. In less tina
,e wear after it came into my possession
l. | was successfully offered six and eigh
a, hundred dollars for it, by jewelers., VIII
It would probably have sold it for twic
ir that sum; and was soon warned by dl'
u u interested persons that exposure OF 1t wa
IS dangerous to my person. never wore II
a for this reason.
i After Mrs. Naples death. however,
Ihad no occasion. Naples House was shu