Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-09-14
BERTHA DAITOEs TRIUMPH.
The HISTORY or AN OPAL RING
[ObniiRusd,l
CHATTER WI.

bors, except a deaf old lady, who could
never have been an amusing companion
In her best days. She did not like walk
ing out by herself, was tired of novels,
and was altogether in fretful and dis
satisfied frame Of mind.
The breakfast things had been cleared
away, and she was just thinking what
she should do with herself all the morn
ing, when Sarah came to say that q
lady had called, wishing TO see her.
ssWho is it, Sarah?n she asked. gs
s'I don't know, 'um,n Sarah replied.
s.She didn't give no name; she said
you wouldn't know her-a widow lady,
yum.n tst.... t--t,.ss -. ss.4f
s'Show her into the drawing-room."
said Mrs. Dalton.
She followed her unknown visitor in
20 the drawing and saw before
her rather tall, fine-looking woman,
richly dressed in black silk and Grape.
Her figure and lower part Of her face
gave the idea of woman still young,
Though her complexion was sallow.
Her eyebrows were. black and well de-
fined, but her hair was quite gray, and
drawn away In plain bands under a
widows cap. The Grape fall OF her
bonnet partly shaded her face. and she
wore blue spectacles. She bowed grace
fully as Mrs. Dalton Joined her.
Struck by her ladylike appearance,
Mrs. Dalton begged her to be seated.
She took chair that stood against the
window next to Mrs. Dalton's work.
table, alleging a weakness of the eyes
as a reason why she avoided having the
light upon her face.
II have taken the liberty of calling to
inquire about the character OF a serv-
ant-Ann Turner y she said, referring
to paper she held in her hand. II
ought to have waited for an appoint
ment, I am aware; but | am in haste,
as am about to leave town. This must
be my eXcuse.n
"The character of servantY" Mrs.
Dalton repeated in surprise. II am
afraid there is some mistake-I am not
parting with servant"
s'Mrs. Dalton, of Garden Housep"
said the stranger, interrogatively, again
referring to her paper.
"That is my name," returned Mrs.
Dalton; "but this is not Garden House.
1t is Ivy Cottage"
''Oh, dear; then I am afraid / have
made mistake" the stranger an
nounced, but without offering to move
from her seat. II am SO sorry to have
intruded."
She sighed, and put her handkerchief
up to her brow, as if weary.
"Pray don't mention it-and don't
hurry" said Mrs. Dalton. You seem
tired"
II am tired" the lady confessed. II
have been inquiring everywhere for
Garden House; and then | asked for
Mrs. Dalton, and was directed here.
Perhaps you could tell me where to find
Garden HousepN
.'I don't know of any such place
about here,n returned Mrs. Dalton;
ttnor did l know that any one of the
same name lived in the neighborhood." /"
dalton or Galton," said the lady
ssthe name is not very distinctly writ
ten. / asked for Galton first, and then,
when the tradesman inquired of men
toned Dalton, / thought that must be
it. Seeing the large garden when the
gate was opened, I felt sure ! was
Eyes, the garden is large-it covers
nearly half an acre." communicated
Mrs. Dalton, not sorry to indulge in a
little chat. Its an expense to keep
up, or at least would be If it was prop
erly kept in order, and / dare say
would be worth good deal for building
on. But it is my own property, and the
house is large enough for me and my
two daughters. The only inconveni.
ence is its distance from the gate."e 81
II should imagine that must be an
inconvenience in wet weather or In
winter" said the stranger. aBut it's a
pretty house-the growth of ivy makes
1T so picturesque.
I'VE have q back entrance to a lane
where a carriage can come down." OBJ.
served Mrs. Dalton. 1.-The house was
originally market-gardener's cottage
Most of the gr0undsWas sold and bull
upon, but this bit was left; many of the
old fruit trees are still standing. The
old cottage is now the kitchen anG
servants rooms; the rest Of the house
has been added since, at different
0Ah, indeed,;, said the lady, as il
much interested. .js
!, She was leaning her elbow upon ths
small table that stood close to THE
chair where she sat. Mrs. Dalt0n'l
usual arm chair stood on the other side
of the table, and here she seated herself
while she spoke. '''''
81 am SO sorry;I have been mistaken,'
the lady resumed. II should have tax
an q servant from here with such conf
dence, 'she added, casting an admirinf
look round. What trouble servants
nreP'ai qiita3aai7s s4ip .sapis f43 h
..They are indeedl' Mrs. Dalton
Rgreed, flatteredby hervisitor's implied
compliment. Zone of my servants has
been with me upward Of twenty years
Hhe is an excellent cook, and an excel.
lent, trustworthy 1 woman, but she has
Bnch a temperl L declare to you / dare
mot interfere with her. AS for the girls
they are SO fond of finery and SO pert
md stuck-up, / don't know what they
will come to. sfi8 asNaisa Nv l
And careless too,'' said the lady.
Don't you find it SO, with all this val
Eable china about?"
81 never allow a servant to touch it,
Mrs. Dalton answered. my younger
daughter always dusts il herself 2 9I Z
"Quite right and prudent, am sure !
eale lady observed. THAT bowl Is old
Chelsea ware, is it not? I have q per.
Gect passion for the ANTIQUE" fs'T 3af
"Yes, that is Chelsea ware. I havt
twO or three fine specimens Of Wedg
wood ware and some old Seyres that ar
very valuable, (, said Mrs. Dalton.
ST dote upon China announced tht
stranger, sbut my particular craze il
Tor antique jewelry.RI have some few
articles 4 wouldn't part with for an,
money" d
II dare say not" said Mrs. Dalton -
ssWe have a curious ring in our posses
sion Just now. One Of my daughter,
found it in a very singular manner"
tsA curious ring!n exclaimed the lady
II am afraid it would be giving tot
much trouble to ask to see it; but vol
have no idea how fond j am of sucl
things, and / fatter myself / am nj