Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-07
"Then I think YOU on ,ht to in

| ICIIGIe, Sulu tue Olu WOludu, dUETlly.
CT don't understand you," said
Mary.
The old woman opened her black
velvet-bag.
Look here" said she. Young
Mrs. Fontaine's diamonds"
And, sure enough, she displayed
a little cross of gold studded with
sparkling stones, which Mary knew
had been her brothers bridal gift to
pretty Barbara Santley.
6 I am Mrs. Jackson" said the
vulgar old woman, who had a water
ing eye, red nose, and q husky
voice, as if she spoke from under o
feather-bed. I'm in the borrowing
and lending business, and I supplied
young Mrs. Fontaine with money for
her wedding clothes. She never
paid Inc. Said she couldn't; said
her husband didn't make her an al
lowance ce-simply paid the bills as
they came in. Well, I wasn't going
to stand this, yon know. 1 threat
ened to put the whole thing into
lawyers hands for collection. Then
she gave me this cross for security,
she said; but I can't sell it, nor yet 1
can't keep it. This way OF doing
business don't suit me-no, nor nev-
er did. So, Tin going straight to
Mr.. Fontaine himself; and if my
Young lady don'S like it she may
just lump it-that's all there is to
it,"
Mary Fontaine had listened with
interest.
"How much is the debt? ?" said
she.
Well, miss, what with interest
and compound interest, and collect
ing charges, and my own expenses"
said the odious cid woman, count
ing up the items on the fingers of
her dirty kid gloves, "it's nigh six
hundred dollars-fve hundred and
seventy-six dollars and eishty-seven
cents"
"Come into the house with me,
said Miss Fontaine, "and I will
write check for the amount"
You amt in earnest ?" said the
Old woman, incredulously.
Yes, l am"
When Mrs. Jackson departed, she
carried in her greasy rocket-book
check for five hundred and seventy
six dollars and eishty-seven cents,
and the little diamond cross lay in a
certain rose-leaf-scented japanese
box in Mary Fontaine's dressing
case.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Fontaine
were going out together to dinner
party that evening. The bride wore
her wedding-dress of creamy white
silk, her wedding-fowers woven
into the fossy gold of her hair, and
q simple turquoise brooch fastened
the narrow frilline of rich lace at
her throat, as she came smiling
down stairs.
Fontaine looked critically at her,
and missed one detail of her toilet.
Where are your diamonds, Bar
bara," he asked" the little dia-
mond cross?"
The sudden scarlet mounted to
her brow.
"I-I preferred not to wear it
tonight" she stammered, busying
herself with her boquet.
8" Go and get it at once, dear,
Fontaine said, hurriedly. Il want
my little wife to look her best and
sweetest tonight.
But, Harry"
"Quick! said he, with loving
imperiousness. "Ill wait in the
hall while you are gone. 1t won't
take you minute"
Slowly, and with tagging footsteps,
Barbara obeyed; but the instant
she was within her own room, she
threw herself, white silk dress and
all, on the low chintz-covered sofa,
and burst into tears and sobs.
What shall l do?" she cried,
aloud, in the utter despair of her
poor little soul. ooh, what shall I
do %
A soft arm was passed around her
neck; she felt herself gently lifted
into sitting posture.
Here is your diamond cross,
dear," whispered a gentle voice.
LET me fasten it on for YOU
Nary
Yes, Mary; your sister, dear"
"But where did you get it? How
did you know?"
"Don't stop to talk now," said
Mary. "Your husband is waiting.
I will tell you all by-and-bye."
Mrs. Fontaine wore the diamond
cross to the dinner party; and, when
she came back, she went straight to
Mary's room and heard the whole
history of the little ornament.
She flung herself on her knees at
Mary Fontaine's feet, and laid her
cheek on her lap, with a burst of
grateful tears.
"Oh, Mary!' she cried; "you
don't know what deliverance you