River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-05-30

the shape oil the newest JeWeiry.
" Isn't that a lovely garnet sett2' cried
Laura.
"oh, perfectly splendid!n And lust
look at that diamond rose Oh, Laura
do come in minutel | must know the
price of that!a
Without the slightest intention of pur
chasing anything, Laura followed her
friend into the sparkling shop, and both
ladies soon were in extacics over some
magnificent bracelets and necklaces OF
diamonds.
Henrietta went SO far as to buy a
bracelet, and ordered the bill to be sent
to her husband, but Laura did not ven
ture to do that. She sighed longingly
over the beautiful gems, however, and
said dolefully:
If just had that necklace to wear
to this one party, wouldn't care for it
afterwardn
off you only wish them for one occa-
sion, madam, we might accommodate
you," said the smiling clerk, who was
careful to stand close by while the la
dies examined the Jewels. "Of course
we do not hire these, but we keep imita-
ton gems, perfect fac-similes Of these,
which we REM for the small sum of
twenty dollar a night. Shall | show
them TO you!'
''Oh, yes, let's look at theml 1t won't
do any harm to merely see them,p plead
ed the ready Henrietta.
The clerk brought the cases OF Jewels,
and the ladies found they could see no
difference between them and the real
diamonds.
Laura did not mean to do such thing,
and felt ashamed of herself while she did
it, but the thought of the glittering
diamonds in contrast with the glittering
satin, was too strong for the Young wife's
vanity. When she left the jewelers. shop
her twenty dollars were in the drawer,
and the morocco case containing the false
diamonds were in her hand.
She aid not tell Charley what she had
done, and she was very uneasy for the
two or three days which passed before
the event of the presidents party.
The mauve satin came home in due
time, and was greatly admired, but Lau-
IA did not take half the pleasure in it she
expected to take. The thought Of the
ired jewels was heavy one On her
mind.
However, when she began to dress her
spirits rosc And when at last, arrayed
in the glistening SATIN, with its trimmings
of frosty lace, her lovely brown hair in
becoming puffs and curls, she ciasped the
sparkling circlet of diamonds around
her fair throat, she smiled In delight at
the pretty image which smiled back at
her from her dressing glass.
When she went down into the little
parlor where Charley, already dressed,
was waiting for her, she had her opera
cloak fastened tightly up to her neck, and
did not as usual, exhibit herself to his
admiring eyes before she put on her out
door wraps,
Accordingly, Charley saw nothing of
the diamonds uatiI lie met her at the
door OF the ladies toilet room, in the
presidents mansion to take her into the
pailors.
His glance of surprise did not escape
Laula's eye, and made her cheeks flush
but they were in the midst of tiutter-
ing crowd, so of course she was sure he
would say nothing then.
Lauras entrance into the parlors caused
quite little sensation. Her youth, her
beauty, and her magnificent toilet, N ade
her the cynoSure OF all eyes, and she could
not fail to perceive it.
"Well, I declare. you are grand
Why. I'd no idea you would look SC
well!" whispered Heniiette, when they
met. 'I'm positively jealous, aid I'm
going to keep out of your way, you oul
shine me so completely she added, as
she passed on with her escort. And
Laura knew she was more than half in
earnest.
She enjoyed her triumph exceedingly
spite of Bharleys uneasy face, until, as il
grew late, she CHANGED to be resting by a
folding door for moment, and overhead
two ladies conversing upon the other side
81 can only conclude one of two
things" she heard voice say, which she
was certain belonged to the wife of the
bank president, g she must pc either very
silly, or very extravagant. Of course we
know that her husband could not afford
to purchase jewels which my husband
could scarcely allow me to wear She
must either have borrowed or hired them,
and that would be most exceedingly silly
and in dreadful taste, to say the very
least of it,
Poor Laura knew it was herself they
were speaking of. She turned scarlet,
and rose 10 fly, too much distressed to
wait to hear the answer, when she felt
her husbands touch upon her arm.
Laura he said in q low tone, ''ior
pity IS sake tell me where you got those
things you wear around your neck9 They
are not yours2"
.sNo, oh, no !" faltered Laura, trembling.
"They are the comment of the whole
room whispered Charley. "Our presi-
dent has Just asked me how | could afford
to give such expensive baubles to my
wife. What could say to hims What
have you done Laura."
"Only given up to q silly vanity,
believe me. But oh, do take me away
from here, or I shall scream or something
/ can't stay a minute longer, Charleyl'
Charley saw that her increasing agita-
ton would soon attract attention. He
therefore took her away at once and they
were soon in the carriage on their way
home.
There, weeping and sobbing on Char
ley's broad. kind breast, Laura made a
full confession. And charley, thinking
her punishment enough, forebore to add
one word of reproof or blame. He prom
Used to explain all 10 his president, the
next day, and assured Laura, he did not
think his standing at the bank would be
hurt when his kind old chief understood
the case. But it was severe lesson to
Laura, and one experience satisfied her
in wearing other peoples Jewels.