Litchfield enquirer., 1879-06-19

told or her purchase, and hlS OplnOn required. He greatly admired the painting, and then set himself to examine the interior of the lid with considerable minuteness q am trying" he .sto discover some secret spring, as am sure these ivory pannels must open, though the workmanship is so perfect that no joint can be discerned." He passed his finger carefully all around till one part yielded to the pressure and the door flew open; and in one corner of the space thus revealed was a small piece of yellow paper, on which were few lines written in faded ink. This proved to be a marriage certificate.
 ''This is quite romantic!" exclaimed Dora. But seriously. Percival is it not dreadful thing to lose ene?"
 He smiled at the question, and told her that generally 1t was not difficult to obtain a copy of such document. But this," he explain ed, T see, attests Gretna Green marriage, and might be difficult if not impossible to re- place, as such marriages are not allowed to take place"
 ssThen," said Dora, Eve ought certainly to do our best to discover the lady to whomit be- longs, and relieve her mind by restoring it."
 At the same time relieving your own by satisfying your curiosity" observed Sir Perci- val laughing.
 Of course the certificate was duly examined by every member of the family, and was the subject of all sorts of conjectures But the next few days brought so many occupations to distract their attention from it, that the Iit- tie document being restored to it's hiding place, was scarcely alluded to again before the we'd ding, and was for time forgotten. Indeed, the sisters thought so much of their approach ing separation, that they made no attempt at that time to discover the owner of the mar riage certificate.
 n,, tha >f T,,1, and Meta Forester were married under favor able auspices; friends on both sides approving; the young couple themselves devotedy attached to each other. When all was over, the home party was broken up; Mr. and Mrs. Forester, with Dora, left to pay round of long-prom- ised visits, Aunt Barbara to return to her pleas ant country y-hOuse. Two months later the bridal tour being oyer, Dora joined the newly married pair at Davenant Court, their beauti- ful home in the Isle of Wight, where the sisters were once more happy in each others society.
 One morning toward the end of October, Sir Perclval Davenant was as usual looking over the Times at the breakfast table, occa- sienally reading aloud anything he thought likely to interest his companions, when he suddenly exclaimed. "Here, Dora, is some thing especially interesting for you Can you guess what it is?'
 ''Yes, o yes, Percival! !" she quickly an- swered. 'Some paragraph relating to that certificate. l am sure. Do make haste and read it,'
 There was indeed, very conspicuous adver- tisement, leaving no doubt of its identity, and offering very handsome reward for it's recav- cry. All communications to be addressed to 8 Mir. Kelly, Solicitor, Bedford-row.
 70 Percival l" exclaimed Dora, s'do let us take it ourselves. We shall never hear any more about it if it is sent to town"
 But her brother-in-law thought the paper of so much importance that it should be sent im- mediately, and he could not just then leave home.
 Surely" urged Dora, ''Meta is old enough to go with me without you. She is now ma tron, you know; and her new maid looks old enough to be her mother so we shall be quite safe, dear Percy"
 After much hesitation, he was obliged to give way to his sisters arguments and his young wife's expressed wish. The conse- quence was that, to the great surprise of their parents, the sisters arrived at Grosvenor- place by dinner-time the same day. The following ing morning the carriage was at the door inn mediately after breakfast to convey them to the solicitors chambers where they fortunately found him in. He was a very solemn person. age; but with all his professional reticence, he could not conceal his intense satisfaction at the good tidings thay had brought
 ''Of course,' he remarked, 'I may not hint at the terms offered in the advertisement to you ladies; but if I can do anything to serve you, or make myself useful in any way, pray command me. You have rendered a most have the greatest respect, and whose fortune and reputation were both Tn jeopardy by the loss of her marriage lines"
 1n that case, MT. Kelly" said Lady Dave nant, i've aCtW ask you favor. May we have the pleasure of restoring them to her our selves ?'
 "I will give you her address with much pleasure" he replied, "as am sure she will be delighted to thank you personally In the will endeavor to see her husband. who will be still more Tejoiced, if possible, to hear Of this, as he was in some measure to blame for the loss of the certificate"
 MT. Kelly then wrote few lines of intro- duction, and addressed his note to Mrs. Morti- mer, No.---Stafford-place, Pimlico; that snug little nest of houses so near the Palace and the Park, yet hidden from both behind the main road.
 citement she had with difficulty restrained in the lawyers office, and chattered necessarily to her sister on the subject of their adventure till the carriage stopped at the house. A neat little maid received their cards and conducted them up stairs to small but pretty room on the first floor: in which a grand piano forte and harp left little space for other furniture. toldlng-doors, communicating with a still smaller aparment, where open, disclosing amid other signs of more domestic occupation, an infants pretty berceaunette into which Meta could not refrain from peeplng: but it was un occupied. She had scarcely resumed her seat when young lady in deep mourning entered 'he room and very gracefully introduced her. 'elf as Mrs. Mortimer. Tall and fair, with 1nely-cut features, and profusion of rich golden hair falling round her face and throat m the becoming ringlets which fashion has since banished so lnexorably, her appearance was extremely prepossessing. Her counte- nance was very sad her complexion white as alaoaster, till sfe saw MT. Kelly's writing; hen flushing to crimson with the emotion 1t excited. her trembling fingers could scarcely )pen the note presented to her by Lady Dave lant, who hastened to her relief by telling her ts contents. "It is your lost certificate, which we have the great pleasure of restoring, she explained.
 For some moments Mrs. Mortimer was un- sble to speak; but her lovely blue eyes were aiSeu Wltn an expression or the most intense gratitude to heaven, and she thus looked-as he sisters afterward remarked-exactly like he beautiful portrait on the casket of Louise ie la Valliere. When Mrs. Mortimer had recovered her composure, she could scarcely ind words to express her thankful feelings to Ter visitors. ''You can have no idea" she aid, s'how much am indebted to you, and low l wish could in any way repay you"
 You can" replied Lady Davenant with ome hesitation, Eff you will indulge my sis CT and myself with the account of your loss, which cannot fail to be interesting to us."
 'I shall be delighted to tell you all particu- ars, " she eagerly replied, Eff you will excuse ne till have seen my husband'' -;
 "Mr. Mortimer knows all by this time" aid Dora, ''from Mir. Kelly. and will soon be with you, dear Mrs. Mortimer, so-"
 ''Still, interrupted Meta q can so we'll understand that you will wish to meet him lone but hope tomorrow you will allow ne to fetch you to spend few hours with us It Grosvenor-pl place, where my father and mother will be delighted to see you, and then we may perhaps claim your promise"
 The Invitation was as cordially accepted as ::iven, and the young ladies rose to take leave. As they were leaving the house, Mrs Morti- ner's children arrived from their walk in the Park: Meta took the lovely but fraglle-look- fu hov n