Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-26

that of worldly prosperity. Mrs. Dali
ton was quite sincere in her belief that
she was thus promoting their highest
welfare, and fulfilling her duties in the
most admirable manner.
Letting herself in through the gate
by her latch-key, she walked hurriedly
/ up TO the house. rather expecting TO
find Fancourt still there. and prepared
to give him her motherly blessing. On
reaching the drawing-room, however,
she found only the two girls. and for
the moment shade of fear crossed her
mind; but she also noticed the glitter
ing jewel on Lena's arm, and was reas-
sured.
'My precious Lena" she exclaimed,
coming forward and embracing her, II
need not ask-I see all is as 1t should
be. / congratulate you q thousand
times, my love-"
That is right, mamma" Lena re-
sponded, with the same half-contempt-
uOus smile with which she had an
nounced her engagement TO her sister;
II have not been able to eXtOrt one
atom of congratulation from BERTHA
81 hope, though of course in lesser
way, YOU will take lesson by your sis
ters success, and learn little common
sense" said Mrs. lialton. regarding her
Younger daughter severely. My dear,
/ cannot tell you how happy you have
made me-" she continued. again turn
ing to Lena. But why did Mr.. Fan
court go away? Why did he not wait
to see me?'
II sent him away-he will come to-
morrow-don't be afraid" said Lena,
unclasping the gorgeous bracelet from
her arm.
II wonder when he will wish the
wedding to be-" Mrs. Dalton ran on, on,
occupied with her own thoughts. "Of
that sort of thing; it won't interfere
with our visit to the Larches, suppose.
The Honorable Mr.. Fancourt can't be
married at a few days notice, like a
common person. And there will be
your trousSeau to prepare. You can let
me have the money you received for
your last term, Bertha; it isn't much,
but it will help. You see how right I
was in desiring you to give up your pu-
pills; for you to teach would be quite
uniting when your sister is about to
move in such position; and L must
again beg, Bertha, that you will never
mention word about your having
been teacher-it would never do to let
a report get about that the Honorable
Mrs. Fancourt's sister had been obliged
to give lessons Mrs. Dalton had been
untying her bonnet-strings and unfast-
ening her mantel while she spoke. She
stopped quite out of breath.
''Shall | take your bonnet upstairs
for you. mamma?n Bertha asked, with
out making any reply to her mothers
remarks.
"Do-there's dear" said Mrs. Dal-
ton. II declare Pm all in futter, I'm
so delighted. If l were you, Lena,
should insist upon having the drawing
rooms in MagnuS Square newly fur
nished, if you are to live there. If they
have been shut up since Lady Alphing-
toms death, seven or eight-and-twenty
years the hangingS and decorations
must be quite old-fashiOned and faded
now. And the family jewels will of
course be reset. Have you heard Mr..
Fancourt say anything about them?"
Scarcely yet, mamma. Lena replied;
land very much question whether Mr..
Fancourt knows anything about them
himself. Old Lord Alphington keeps
him very much at arms length, | sus-
pect. wonder at that-don't your
Such charming grandson as he has
got!'
"Wen,, don't exactly know about
charming" said Mrs. Dalton, not un-
derstanding Lena's tone of irony; sbut
we cannot have everything, you know,
and it is at any rate right that you
should think so, or say So" she added,
correcting herself. II think you. said
you found Lord Alphington cold and
haughty. when you met him at the
Larches?"
"Oh, no, mammal Bertha exclaimed,
who entered at the moment with deli
cate little structure of lace in her hand,
name of cap. II don't think he was
and will fasten this on for you"
Mrs. Dalton, who had been standing
| all this time, sat down to allow Bertha
to atfix the lace to her still bright and
abundant hair
II don't wonder that you didn't find
Lord Alphington either cold or proud,
| Bertha. He seemed to take quite
fancy to you," said Lena. IL think the
possession of the opal ring must have
exerted some magic charm. But I'm
determined to make him like me. I
know 1 can if / choose"
''Of course you can, my love-" Mrs.
Dalton asSented.
Lena threw herself wearily upon the
couch, resting her head on her ARM
She felt as if she could never like to
sit again on her favorite low chair by
the window.
Mamma" she said, after while,
lifting her head, "1've a good mind to
make Mr.. Fancourt get me ring made
exactly like the one that has been lost.
l could give the jeweler the description
and draw the design from memory, I'm
| sure. Don't you remember, when I
first saw it, said wished it was miner
And now should have right to wear
it."
"You may have one made like it, but
it won't be the real thing" Bertha OBJ
served, as she stood by the window. II
would have nothing to do with counter.
| feits."
"What does it matter?" Lena re-
joined, pettishly. "Of course the stones
will be real"
"And the opal is symbolic Of truth in
love-" said Bertha, without looking
round. Take care it never loses its
fiery glow"
Zone would think you were supersti-
tious about that ring" remarked Lena,
flushing, ..
| "Not T." Bertha returned with
smile. "It has proved se-otherwise
it is I who ought to be the future
Countess Of Alphington."
"You!" exclaimed Mrs. Dalton
''That would have been very unlikely"
"Very unlikely indeed. mamma"
Bertha assented gravely, without, how
ever, adding the thought that was in