The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-13

30 Cn6 Sibttrs Sdt uONH W OAahihnO eho
casket. No flaw was to be seen. The
jewel-drawers were lined with spotless
white satin; the silver-gilt fittings per-
feet; the richly cut scent-bottles re-
tanned a faint odor of some delicious
perfume; but no other part of the beau
tiful box appeared to have been used.
"To what address shall l have the
pleasure Of sending it? asked the
shopman, after due examination OF
Aunt Barbara's notes.
"Don't have it SENT" whispered Dora.
"Lucy can manage to find a cab, dare
say" for which the maid was accordingly |
dispatched. ...... ....
The casket was at once packed, and
the shopman placed it opposite to the
young ladies. When they were seated
he asked what address he should give the
driver.
Clyde Park Corner" said Dora
quickly. "We will give him further Or
ders."
As they drove of, Meta asked her SIS
ter why she had not given the address in
full.
because he looked so curious about
u.s." was her reply. ri enjoyed disap..
pointing the man, though l am dying OF
curiosity myself to know the history OF
Aunt Barbara's present"
This little freak of Doras was the
cause Of much perplexity afterward.
When the girls reached home they de-
termined to dress for dinner at once, and
then wait for Aunt Barbara in the
drawing-room, where she invariably
made her appearance just half an hour
before the dinner-bell rang. They then
placed their elegant purchase on table
ready for her inspection.
Presently the rustic Of her stiff silk
dress was heard in the corridor, and she
swept into the room, followed by her
maid, whose daily duty it was to place
her mistress's chair and footstool in
readiness for her.
"Aunt Barbara, exclaimed Meta, "do
not sit down till you have seen your
beautiful present. am so anxious to
hear what you think Of my selection"
Think! my dear child" she gravely
answered. Il think you have been very
extravagant, for this painting on the lid
is on Seyres china, and is alone worth
the money Igave you."
1 Much pleased with her bargain, Meta
told Its history, so far as she knew it.
Mrs. Forester then came in from her
drive, and pronounced the same judg-
ment on the painting, which was an ex-
quisite portrait Of Louise de la Valliere.
All agreed that it was provoking to
know SO little about it, excepting Aunt
Barbara, who pretended not to care; but
she was quite as curious as the rest.
The following day brought Sir Percival
Davenant, who had been inspecting some
+ improvements at his country house fol
: the reception of his young bride. HI
! was, Of course told Of her purchase, anc
, his opinion required. He greatly ad
mired the painting, and then set himself
to examine the interior Of the lid witt
3 considerable minuteness.
] Al am trying" he remarked, ''to dis
. cover some secret spring, as am SUR
these ivory panels must open, though
the workmanship is so perfect that nj
: joint can be discerned."
He passed his finger carefully all rount
till one part yielded to the pressure, ant
: the door flew open; and in one corner o
/; the space thus revealed was small piec
a of yellow paper, on which were few
! lines written in faded ink. This PROVED
to be marriage certificate.
"This is quite romanticF' exclaimed
Dora. "But seriously, Perciyal, is it no
: dreadful thing to lose oneT ....
He smiled at her question, and tol,
her that generally it was not difficult tt
! obtain copy of such document. "Bu
this" he explained, "I see, attests
q Gretna Green marriage, and might b
0 difficult, if not impossible, to replace, a
such marriages are not now allowed t
: take place."
~ 'Then," said Dora, eve ought Gel
! tainly to do our best to discover the lad
= to whom it belongs, and relieve her min
. by restoring it,"
! cat the same time relieving your owl
II II by satisfying your curiosity" observe
Il Sir Percival, laughing.
!. Of course the certificate was duly ez
! amined by every member of the family
!, and was the subject of all sorts of con
- lectures. But the next few days brough
! - 30 many occupations to distract their al
~ - teDeion from it that the little document
y y being restored to its hiding place, wa
!" scarcely alluded to again before the wee
4 ding, and was for time forgotten. Ir
+ deed, the sisters thought SO much of thei
II approaching separation that they mad
,s no attempt at that time to discover tn
- :, owner Of the marriage certificate.
1s On the Both of July Sir Perciv.
a. Davenant and Meta Forester were ma
i. ried under the happiest auspices; frient
on both sides approving; the young coup
r. themselves devotedly attached to eac
20 other. ...r ....
I'd When all was over, the home part
m was broken up; Mr.. and Mrs. Forreste
at with Dora, left to pay round Of lon
I'd promised visits, Aunt Barbara to retul
ce to her pleasant country-house. Tv
ht months later, the bridal tour being owe
d. Dora joined the newly-married pair
Dayenart Court, their beautiful hon