Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-10-26
ment. and then shot a sharp glance a

know how YOU can by this.'
The boys clear eyes fell; be blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed.
The ieweler put aside the emeralds, anu
taking the lads arm led him into small
ante-room.
You are thief, sir be said, That |
necklace belongs 10 Mr.. Fontenay
bought it of me not month ago. You
stole it; you're thiei.'
The little fellow Strengthened himself
and his brown eyes blazed. Il am no
thief ne retorted. "A little girl gave
it to me, and knew 1t was wrong to
take it, but-but my mother and sister
are starving |
The jeweler hestated,
You don't look like thiei,' he
said; but l will send for Mr.. Fontenay;
that will settle it at once
He despatched messenger accord
ingly and Ross sat down in a corner and
sobbed bitterly as he heard the driving
wind and thought Of his mother and
Door little Flora. In halt all hour MI.
Fontenay came, bringing his little
daughtor Papsie with him. The little
creature darted toward Ross ike hum
ming bird, her cheeks ablaze, her eyes
flashing lightning.
He didn't steal my emeralds! she
cried. 4 gave 'em to him to sell 'em,
and buy bread Tor his little sister.
Ross sprang to his feet, struggling
hard to keep back his tears. lie put
out his little brown hand, which Pansie
instantly clasped IN her chubby palms.
Il am not thief, sir be said at last,
addressing Mr.. Fontenay; Il never stole
anything in my life. l know it was
wrong TO take the necklace-but-but,
sir. my little sister is starving.
The merchant drew his hand across
his eyes.
You are a manly little fellow he
said, pattlng the lads head, 'and do
not in the least blame you, but l will
take Pansie's emeralds, and she shall
give you something more available.
Here Pansie. give ttis to your little
friend
He put q gold piece into Pensle's
hands, which she rendered to Ross, with
the Injunction that no should run
straight home and buy lots of goodies
for bis sister-a command he was mol
slow TO obey.
4 think we shall not lose sight OF the
little fellow continued Mr.. Fontenay,
as Ross disappeared in the stormy dark
ness. Shall we pet Let's see what
we can do tor him. He's a promising
young lad and an honest one' Pm sure.
Mr.. Lenox, you are IN need ofan errand
boy why not try him? wish you
would
The ieweler consen ted, 10 Pansie's
great delight, and the next day Ross
was duly installed as ar GRAND boy ID
the fashionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning, a young man sat be-
hind the counter of a thriving jewelry
establishment 10 one Of the northern CT
ties. He was handsome man, trave-
Ter. Il man of taste. intellect aud money.
for he was junior partner in the firm
which was a prosperous one. But des'
pile his good fortunes, Ross Dunbar was
not happy. His mother and little Flora
had gone to their long home, and he
was utterly alone without kith or kin in
The world.
Sitting alone one morning with the
roar Of the March winds in his cars, his
thoughts were running back to the days
ofhi boyhood. 10 bis mothers humble
home. How vivid the past seemed, and
how dear and sacred. despite Its priya'
tions and sorrows. His eyes grew dim
and bis heart swelled. All we're gone
over the WIDE water oftime and chance.
A lender smile softened his sad face
as be recalled the stormy night when he
sat sobbing on the step, of Mr.. F9n-
teuay's mansion. And little Pansie-
the remembrance CT her sweet face, as
he saw it through the snow wrealhs
haunted him constantly. In all the III
teen wears meyer for one hour bad be Tor
gotten her. But she was gone, lost TO
him forever.
His reverie was broken by the ea-
trance of a customer, lady closely
clothed and yelled. She approached the
counter with a jewel case IN her hand.
Would you buy these p she said
simply, 10 a clear, sweet voice that sllr-
red the young mans heart as no other
woman's voice had power to do.
He took the aasket and opened 1t and
spread out the contents. A watch, an
elegant and cost tly diamond ring, TWO
rubles and an emerald necklace. Ross
Dunbar barely surpresseda a cry OF sur
prise as his eyes fell upon il. He turned
it over with eager, trembling hngers'
and there on the clasp was the name
that had lived in his heart for so many
years, Little Pansie.'
You wish to sell them all p he asked
striving 10 steady his voice and the Win
throbbing OF his heart.
The lady hesitated an instant and
then she put out her slender hand and
drew the emerald necklace toward her.
Il dislike TO part with this she said;
it was my fathers gift-and-and-bu'
nc matter, take them all / must have
the money
In her eagerness she bad thrown aside
her veil, revealing lily face, lit by lus'
irons sannlire eyes. Ross Dunbar st0oC