The Osceola times., 1881-04-09

ment. Miss while he spoke to an elder
/ ly uan, who in a while came to me and
said:
Would you mind telling me, madam.
how this set of jewelry came into your
possession"
Ny heart sank. There seemed 10 In
something Of doubt US to whether they
had been honestly come by.
Certainly not" | said They were
left to me by my aunt, Mrs. Eunice Mar.
ston. You may perhaps remember that
she bought them here"
"Will you give me your name and ad-
dress please
did 50, and found that the younger
man knew my husband well, and also re-
membercd having seen me in the store
with my aunt.
do you know, madam .what those
Jewels are WORTH
about $50, | SUPPOSE ! said.
He took one Of the earrings out of the
case. and giving little twist and a light
pressure of the small gilt knob at the
lower side of the ball, it opened into two
parts; taking off the golden envelope, he
held up to my astonished eye an inn
mense solitaire diamond that sparkled
and blazed like a star as il trembled in
his hand.
The earrings alone are worth ten
thousand dollars; and, with the brooch,
which opens TO, you see, the set is worth
twenty-five thousand dollars"
The words had no meaning to me;
everything faded befoie my eyes-all
was darkness.
When came to my senses, | was lying
on n lounge, and a sweet-looking lady sat
by me bathing my head. When ] was
sufficiently recovered to think of what
had happened, and was assured that it
was not dream, had another inter
view with the gentleman, who, like the
genii in an Arabian story had evoked
such wonders from simple golden ball.
Upon my signifying my desire TO sell
the Jewels, an agreement was made, and
| went out of the store a rich woman,
with Ormolu Il Co.'S check for twenty
thousand dollars in my pocket.
When reached home, Charlie stood. at
the front door waiting for me, looking
anxious poor fellow, for no one could tell
where | had gone, and it was very
unusual for me to be out when he came
home.
He must have thought had gone crazy
when, putting the check in his hand,
threw my arms around his neck right
there in the vestibule' and crying as if
my heart would break, said:
"Oh. Charlie, Oh, Charlie" Then when
he had taken me into the house, drew
all my little ones into my arms, cyring;
"Oh. my darlingsl my darings"
When my excitement had abated some
what ] thought of the precious paper.
Where is the check" said.
Check" said Charlie. poor darling,
trouble has turned your BRAIN"
But upon insisting, very much as one
humors sick child, ne consented to
humor me, and pretended to look for
it.
Here is something, papa" exclaimed
Amy, as she put in his hand crumpled
bit ofpaper she had picked up in the
hall.
can see that expression on his face.
| do really believe my husband for a
minute thought l had, in my insanity
been guilty OF forgery, burglary, highway
robbery, or some dreadful thing.
1t seems but yesterday, and yet five
happy years have gone since then, and
we have a house of our own, with coy
library full of books for Charlie and a
large, sunny, lovely room for the chill
dren's nursery.
You wouldn't know Charlie he is so
rugged and brown. He is now cashier
of the bank in which he began as
errand boy.
We are not rich by any means, but
have everything We need and many
Injuries.
No matter; Charlie and my darling
children are happy, and ! wish Aunt
Eunce could look into my grateful heart
to-night-a heart so filed with sense
of all my blessings that | can scarcely
see through the happy tears that fill
my eyes, TO write these few last words.