The Newtown bee., 1880-02-04
gleaming things, set in tawny, Indian

l necklace-take it back.''
 "You shall take it," she continued, imperiously. ''I have lots of jewelry and fine things-run home now and buy your sister something to eat"
 She closed the door with bang, and Ross stood irresolute in the stormy gloom. Should he ring the bell and re- turn the jewels to Pansie's father, or should he do as she bade him ? He thought of his mother and poor little Flora watching wistfully for his return. He could not go back and see them starve. With a sudden feeling of des- peration he thrust the glittering neck lace in his pocket and dashed down the street.
 The gaslight blazed brilliantly in a fashionable jewelry establishment, and it's bland proprietor looked down in quiringly on little Ross as he approached the glittering counter.
 "Would you like to buy this, sirp"
 There was tremor in the boys voice as he asked the question, and the hand that held the emerald necklace shook visibly. The lapidary took the gems. examining them closely for moment, and then shot sharp glance at the child.
 "See here," he said, presently, his voice stern and commanding, want to know how you came by this?"
 The boys cleareyes fell; he blushed and stammered, evidently embarrassed. The jeweler put aside the emeralds, and taking the lads arm led him into a small ante-room.
 "You are thief. sir" he said "That necklace belongs to MT. Fontenay--he bought it of me not S month ago. You stole it; you are a thief''
 The little fellow strengthened himself, and his brown eyes blazed. "I am no thief" he retorted. "A little girl gave it to me, and I know it was wrong to take it, bnt-but my mother and sister are starving"
 The jeweler hesitated.
 "You don't look like a thief" he said ''but I will send for MT. Fontenay that will settle the matter at once." He dispatched messenger accord ingly and Ross sat down in a corner and sobbed bitterly as he heard the driving winds and thought of his mother and poor little Flora. In half an hour MT. Fontenay came, bringing his little daughter Pansie with him. The little creature darted tow ard Ross like hum ming bird, her cheeks ablaze, her eyes flashing like lightning.
 "He didn't steal my emeralds!" she cried, "I gave 'em to him to sell lem, and buy bread for his little sister"
 Ross sprang to his Feet, struggling hard to keep back his tears. He put ou. his little brown hand which Pansie in- stantly clasped in her chubby palms.
 "I am not a thief, sir," he said al last, addressing MT. Fontenay; "Ineve1 stole anything in my life. know ii was wrong to take the necklace-but- but, sir, my little sister is starving
 The merchant drew his hands across his eyes.
 "You're B manly little fellow" ht said, batting the lads head, land do not in the least blame you, but I will take Pansie's emeralds, and she shall give you something more available. Here Pansie, give this to your little friend
 He puta gold piece into Pansie's hands which she rendered to Ross, with the in junction that he should run straight home and buy lots of goodies for his sis ter-a command he was not slow tc obey.
 ''I think we shall not lose sight of the little fellow" continued MT. Fontenay as Ross disappeared in the stormy dark ness. Shall we, pet? Let's sec wha we can do to help him. He's promis ing young lad and an honest one, Tn sure. MT. Lenox, you're in need of ar errand boy; why not try him? I wisl you would"
 The jeweler consented, to Pansie' great delight, and on the following day Ross was duly installed as an errand boy in the fashionable establishment
 Fifteen years after, one blusterins March morning, a young man sat behind the counter of a thriving jewelry estab r inent in one of the Northern cities. H. was a handsome man, a traveller, ma, of taste, intellect and money, for he wa ajunior partner in the firm, which wa a prosperous one. But despite all hi good fortune, Ross Dunbar was no happy. His mother and his little Flor, had gone to their long home, and he wa utterly alone, without kith or kin in tn wide world.
 Sitting alone one morning with tn roar of the March winds in his ear his thoughts were running back to tn days of his boyhood, to his mother humble home. How vivid the pas seemed. and how dear and sacred, de spite its privations and sorrows. Hi eyes grew dim and his heart swelled All were gone over the wide waters o , time and change.
 , A tender smile softened his sad fac as he recalled the stormy night when h sat sobbing on the steps of MT. Fon tenay's mansion. And little Pansie; tn remembrance of her sweet face, as h } saw it through the snow wreaths haunted him constantly. In all the fiji teen years never for one hour had h ] forgotten her. But.she was gone-los ] to him forever.
 His reverie was broken by the entranc of customer, a lady closely clothed and yelled. She approached the coun ter with a jewel case in her hand Would you buy these?" she asked simply, in clear sweet voice that stirre, the young mans heart as no othe l woman's voice had power to do.
 He took the casket, opened it, aD, } spread out it's contents. A watch, an ele gant and costly diamond ring, two Ill , bies and an emerald necklace. Ros Dunbar barely suppressed cry of sur