The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-10
Selert StOrp.
HEARTS OR DIAMONDS.

HEARTS OR DIAMONDS.
"If we were only rich, Sarah sighed,
II need not do such work as this? | am
so tired Of Il! il is SO dsagreeable!"
Lola, Sarah's widowed sister, twelve
years older than the seventeen year old
beauty, who was sewing aud singing, only
said, gently, 1--WE are no poorer to-day
than we have been for many years, Sarah. .
"No, but, ialtered Sarah, dropping her
blue eyes, sit is my birthday, and / would
ike to have something pretty to wear to
Aunt katie's this evening. No matter
how much l trouble myself over this dress,
it is an old muslin, after all.
"But it will look very nice"
"Nice!" said the girl, impatiently; al
want something more than nicel am tired
of turning old dresses, dyeing bonnet rib.
bons, patching, diruing, and contriying.
want dresses, jewelry, aud a carriagel
| want to try what it is being rich"
SARAH Lola said, looking at her sis
ter. "What has Mr. Gilbert Lee been
saying to you?
The crimson blood tinged Sarah's face
aud throat, aud her fingers trembled over
her work
"1el me-! urged Lola.
Nothing. At least nothing more than
he has said hundred times before. But
he wants to see me this evening, and
and
Sarah paused again, aud then said
speaking very rapidly, II promised Char.
ley he should go with US to Aunt Kate
this evening. .
"And you think this afternoons inter.
view will make you regret your promisc?'
Lola said, sadly
~ don't know"
Sarah put her work aside abruptly, and
took a seat at her sisters feet.
"l don't know Lola, did you love
Frank very, very much,
"Yes, dear.
"And yet he was poor lie only left
you the cottage aud garden when he died
Were you ever sorry that you married a
poor man, Lola?'
"Neycr Sarah was the 6rm answer
"No wealth could have made me as hap,
py as Franks love We were poor, work.
cd hard, and had heavy sorrow when our
babies died of scarlet fever, but on the
same day, when Frank broke his arm aud
lost his situation-bitteres Of all sorrow,
when Frank, too, died. but | never re,
grctted my marriage for one moment
Sarah II were all to live over, would
marry Frank.
There was a long silence, then Sarah
said 10 low tone, "Gilbert Ice is very
rich, Lola His wife need not turn old
dresses nor cook dinners"
Colbert Lees wife may be very happy
Sarah. He Is man for whom have a
great respect-an honorable man, gener.
GUS aud tender; but Sarah, his wife will
not be happy If she does not love him"
The door bell rang at this moment, aud
Sarah went out, returning with a small
package and bouquet of choice flowers
1.-TWO presents, Lolar' she said, with
flush of pleasure in her round cheek
"No name with either, only card Of
birthday congratulations. The flowers are
from Charley, | am sure. He always
sends me bouquet for party. But this
%, Lola did you ever see anything 50
superb"
For the little package, upon being
opened, was found to contain a jewel
casket, upon whose cushion Of deep pur
pie velvet rested diamond bracelet
throwing forth brilliant rays of light froul
its clasp Of pure gems. Even Lola gave
cry of admiration as Sarah lifted the
splendid present and elasped 1t upon hel
round white arm.
"Gibcrt Leel" said Sarah, ''aud his
wife may wear such bracelets with satin
and velvet robes. See how it sparkles
Lolal oh, | never saw anything half SC
beautiful in my lifel"
at is beautiful, Lola answered, with
painful contraction at her heart, as she
watched her young sisters beautiful coun.
tenance, radiant with pleasure at her gih
"But are you forgetting your flowers
SarahS Shall put them into water for
your
Yes" said Sarah, still turning the
bracelet on her arm, ''if you will, Lola
oh il | only had one silk dress to wear
with this tonight"
"You mean to accept It, then? You
know what that will imply, Sarah--such
costly gift rs that?'
"That / must say eyes" when Gilbert
Lee comes this afternoon. knowl |
will say ayes" | am tired Of poverty
aud | mean to have some of the delights
wealth will bring"
Lola said no more. She left Sarah "a
finish trimming her white muslin, and ad-
mire her gilt, aud busted herself about the
house until she saw Gilbert Lee coming "
the garden walk,
Then she went into the sitting room
where Sarah was folding her dress, aud
drawing her little sister into a close EN-
brace, she whispered, aBe sure Of youl
own heart, Sarah.
Sarah ran lightly 10 her own room u
smooth her hair aud slip on another dress
ln her hand was the yelyetlined casket
containing the diamond bracelet. Sh,
put IL upon her table, and from the vase
uear them rose the perfume Of the bouquet
Of flowers. II filled the room with deli
cious fragrance, and Sarah bent over III,
vase aud nestled her cheek against IN,
tender, beautiful blossoms.
"Dear ChatleslY she whispered IN,
knows | love flowers. How thoughifulh h,
is, and how he loves mel
The flowers wrapping her In sweet in
ccnse were telling Sarah al the secrets .
her heart when Lola tapped at the door.
"Mr. Lee is waiting, Sarah"
Never had Sarah, in the bloom Of he