, 1881-12-30
NY DIAMOND~-
MARY KYLE DALLAS.

and dancing, and all the young PeoPiS
liked best were to be there. L had ne"
dress, and had never yet worn the dlh-
mopds that had been left to me by my
nreat-aunt Margaret, whom L had never
seen. though l was named Tor her one
had lived and died in England, and these
Jewels were sent TO me. The loss OF d
well-known friend had not dimmed thelr
splendor, for Aunt Margaret was only
name.
OF course wanted to go to the party,
and the only objection any one had to it
was that a long Journey by raIl lay be-
tween onr homes; that my father was
away. that nv mother had company to
entertain, and that Aunt Sophy had
snrained her ankle. If | went l must go
alone.
al suppose there is no reason why she
sbonId not" said mother. l hope she
has seIf-respect enough not to notice
strangers. and if there should be col
hsion L couldn't help it. So go pack
your trunk, child, and I'll send Nora for
a cab; and don't forget to put every
thing in that Won need. Don't leave
your toothbrush behind, as you did last
time"
"Or your pocket handkerchief" said
aunty, ''or your present for Dora.
'As if could leave that" | cried.
'But you did go off with one shoe in
your shoe bag, and had to wear your
boots all the time you were at the
Nobles," said Aunt Sophy, bent upon
being provoking; land when we left for
the country last year you lit the gas be-
lore we started, and left it so. And the
bill"
LET the child alone," saaid grandma.
''YGu we're giddier than she is at seven
teen. But put the arnica and the pep
perInint, and the box of Curem's pills in
Your trunk. No knowing what may hap
pen"
Thus furnished with advice, left the
room and ran up stairs, glad enough to
be permitted to go. 1 had everything
ready, and my trunk strapped, and l
had only to dress. l was certainly con-
scious that my gorgeous diamonds were
not the things to wear with my gray
travelling dress, but put them oD. muf-
fling the earrings and covering the pin
with my vail, and hurried down again.
Mother took no notice of the simmer
under my vail, neither did grandmother,
but Sophy was very sharp-sighted. and
on the watch for misdemeanors on ray
part. 1 saw her putting up her eye
next that little shrek and tho same
cry:
THAT girl! never saw anything like
heri Take off your vail, Maggie. Yes,
she has put her diamonds onl A niece
of mine not to know how vulgar it is 20
wear diamonds in the daytime on jour
ney"
$50 dangerousP' cried my grand
mother.
$50 imprudentT cried mamma
You'll be robbed and murdered, my
dear, before ever you get to your cou-
sins houser' said our lady guest.
II can't take them off now, it's too
late" said I.
Put them in your reticule," said our
friend.
Shed leave it behind her, said Aunt
SOphy, who was cross on account of her
sprained ankle.
The cabman, Miss" said Nora; land
he says you've Just time, and no more, to
catch the train"
l was glad of the excuse, for muffiing
my glittering ears again, and giving the
goodbye kisses; but despite my haste
Aunt SOphy found time to call after
me:
Remember my warming; those dia-
monds will get you into trouble before
your journeys over.
Certainly Aunt Sophy was very, very
cross
However, We reached the train in due
time. My baggage was in the hands of
an expressman. l had seat on the
shady side of the car, and it was pleas
ant day. Best of all, | had no next
neighbor, and it was not until we had
stopped at many stations that [ heard
the dreaded question: us this seat occu-
pied" and answered by moving nearer
the window to admit stout person,
Sayly though cheaply dressed, who car
tied travelling bag in her had, and who
at once made 4 most disagreeable i'm.
preston on me-, for l soon discovered
mat she thought civIlty obliged her TO
talk 10 me.
Now girls quite understand that pa
leFA@I warnings as TO strangers alludes to
gentlemen, and It Is simply brutal not to
answer = woman who speaks to YOU. |
ueltated TINS person at sight, but was
Obliged to say Yes. No. or Indeed s"
occasionally. She toldme all about her
self, and all about Ler Journey; she re-
marked on the passengers and criticised
tAe1r hountts. and she asked me the Oh
Iect OF my journey. l felt sure that size
Sa" my diamonds under my veil. for her
7AAFP black ewes often turned toward nv
ears, and atterwart l fanc,ed that she
"i'1d her hand toward them more than
once.
At the momeu; was simply aunoved.
however, Alt glad when We came 10 the
.'''.A where Was tu A-l-at II was "a
t~.gs hour, and most ut t.e people
--'..-s+ away 4t once. 1. however. went