The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-06-15
JEANIE'S JEWELS.

Mr.. Ellis, as he gazed at his sweet daugh
ter's face on entering the breakfast room
one morning few weeks ago.
'Come and sit down. replied Jeanne as
she poured his coffee; :" I have an invita-
ton to Mrs. Harrington's party o-morIow
night, and there is going to be grand
time, but ! don't know what to do, for |
wish-I wish"
Mr.. Ellis observed her hesitation, aud
said:
You wish what, my dear? Surely,
daughter, you're not afraid to ask me for
any thing you waut?'
ooh, no; you darling papa You're al
ways kind and that's the reason | hated
to ask you for-well, for what happened to
bluuder on just now. You see, haven't
any iewelry that's suitable to wear to this
party. I've garnets ard corals, but these
are hardly fit, and the diamond set of nam
mas is hardly appropriate for young girl.
But never mind, papa, we have lots OF flow
ers, and can fix myself up with those"
Well, dear, do tell me what you think
would be the best jewelry.'
Oh, pearls, of course. saw an exqui-
site set in Mr.. Golden's to day. He'd just
ordered them from the city,
How much did he ask for them, dear ?'
inquired Mr.. Ellis.
1.-TWO hundred dollars. Awful price
but they are worth it,"
Here's the money!" taking some bills
out of his wallet. 81 intended this for
your birth day, but doubtless it'll do as
we'll now. But remember that perhaps |
can't give you any thing then, for times
are rather tightish now
''Then | won't take it, papa, dear"
eyes, yes! I've laid it away for you
quite awhile, truly"
What kind papa you are? Thank
you thousand times
The next morning Jeanie started down
to the store, stopping on the way to get
the company of two intimate girl friends,
Hattie Ames and Clara Lee. They uttered
shrill shrieks of ecstacy as Jcanie told them
her errand.
w udb d uuCk vi u ldJuel Clltu HAT
| tie.
GA perfect darling!' exclaimed Clara.
"Iou will be the belle, dear, with that
lovely silk aud those sweet pearls"
Then, merrily chattering, they started
down the street. Suddenly Hattie Ames
excla lined:
Goodness! Who is that girl coming
toward us 30
LAS sure as l live, its Marcia Caldwell
the step daughter of that old witch. widow
Caldwell! Marcia came to our academy
once-don't you remember her? She wore
awful Clothes"
"She was at the head of her class, though,
and I've often wondered what made her
| leave school when she was getting along so
! finely said Jeanne.
"Oh, she went to the city to work in
some factory. Couldn't have earned much,
| for look how shabbily she is dressed. For
mercys sake don't bow to her, girls-see
St. Clare Adams is coming up on the Other
side of the street, and | wouldn't have him
think that | was acquainted with such
| dowdy for all the world. He's so fastidi
GUS ~ whispered Hattie. And so she and
Clara sailed on ahead, quite ignoring the
timid bow Marcia ventured to give them.
At first she looked surprised, then hurt
and angry at the intended slight, and was
about to pass Jeanne with no sign Of recog-
milton; but the latter held out her hand,
saying, in friendly tones:
GLOW do you do, Marcia? I'm glad to
see you"
Miss Jeanie-you-are very kind! |
didn't expect that you would care to know
me-" she said, choking back sob.
| "What does Jeanie want with that girl, y
said Clara, contemptuously; and she called
back, "Jeanie, Amt you coming?"
"You must excuse me for little while,
replied Jeanne. 81 will join you soon."
They reluctantly turned and left her, but
were partly consoled by being honored
with Mr.. Adams presence during their
walk homeward.
"Come, Marcia" said Jeanne, and she
led her companion down a short, green
lane, which ended at the rivers bank
"I.et us sit down here; it g so long since
last saw you that we must have good long
chat
Sitting on the messy bank, with the will
lows dropping over them, the girls formed
striking contrast. Jeanne, small and
slight, with delicate, high bred face,
| h,;r nd dol VIII ito rnhps - cluS
| ter of bush-roses in the azure belt and
under the coquettish, gypsy hat-and Mar
cia, tall, we'll developed, with large, but
finely cut features, dusky complexion WV
| idly colored as the cheek of ripe peach,
great, dark eyes swimming with tears, aud
masses of purple black hair falling in
| heavy curls to the waist of the shabby
black alpaca dress.
"Where were you going when | met
you ." inquired Jeanie, gently taking her
companions brown, hard working hand
into her own little white one.
A strange look stole over Marcia face,
and she replied, shuddering:
ell hardly know-to the bad, | fear,
for | was wild and desperate. l wasn't
certain whether to drown myself in the
bright river or-or-do worser' and she
wept violently. Don't cry so, dear. Tell
me your trouble, and it may be that | can
help you"
"You have helped me by not scorning
me- Those girls, Hattie and Clara, need
not have sighted me so, for during two
years of temptation in wicked city have
kept my good name unspotted. But now
WELL was willing to do almost anything
to get money! l must tell you why. You
see | have little sister, Dolie. She's al
ways been feeble, but this past year she
has been ailing more than ever, and the
doctor said if she couldn't take trip to
the seashore she would die before the Au-
tumn leaves fall She needs a change of
air and nourishing food. | haven't the
money to get these thing, and my step