Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-08-24
CHATTER II.

On three days in the week Bertha
gave lessons In music and singing AT A
scheol. and these occupied nearly the
day; on the intervening days she had
other lessons. But there were inter
walls between, and on the morning After
the discovery of the ring she TOOK ad-
vantage Of one of these intervals. and
set of to find the house she had seen
the man stop at on the evening before.
She had no difficulty in recognizing
the china and glass shop, and thinking
her best plan would be TO make INQUIRY
there first, she went in. A young man
came forward, and she explained her
errand, without however specifying the
lost article.
It was as she had been inclined to
suspect-the upper part Of the house
did not belong to the owners Of the
shop, but was let off in apartments.
They had only one occupant at present
"a lady lately come from abroad. If
the man rang at the private door. he
had most likely called to see that lady,
the shopman said. He advised Bertha
to ring and ask for Mrs. Lemont. d
Accordingly Bertha went to the pri-
vate door and rang. 1t was opened by
a stout elderly man-servant, who, on
learning her errand, ushered her up-
stairs. He showed her into the draw
ing-room, placed a chair for her, and
said he would tell his mistress. a
MRS. Lemont will not know my
name." said Bertha, as she gave the
man her card; "but please say I will
not detain her many minutes. y
Bertha had to, wait while, during
oh firx.a ha hod 1aic.rra - kol-o
survey of the room. 1t was furnished
much like the generality of better-class
lodgings; but there were articles scat
tered about that seemed to indicate lux
urious and expensive habits on the part
of the present occupants. The centre
table was graced with bouquet Of rare
hot-house flowers. Near them lay an
opera-glass set in ther-of-peari and
Ormolu, and fan of peacock's feath-
ers. An open work-box displayed the
gold mountings within, and am Indian
cashmere was thrown negligently over
the arm of the couch. A small white
poodle, which sprung up with shrill
bark as Bertha entered, had been repos-
ing in a basket lined with quilted Grim
son silk, and in a gilt cage by the win
dow were couple of Java sparrows.
Presently the door opened, and
richly and rather showily dressed lady
came forward-a lady still young, and
with considerable personal attractions,
though the high color and abundant
dark treSSes were not without SUSPICION
of some aid from art. But the express
sion of the face was not agreeable,
owing to the hard lines of the thin lips,
and the cold glitter of the black eyes,
which were set too near together.
Whether it was due to this circum-
stance, or to some vague resemblance
stead of at Easter. 1t will be delight
full"
They must know lot of nice peo-
pie about there now" remarked Lena,
following her sister upstairs; ''who
knows what may come of it?"
"a pleasant change will come of it,
at any rate; 1 don't look beyond that"
said Bertha, smiling.
II suppose you don't, p Lena allowed,
sitting down beside her sisters dressing
table, while the latter proceeded to
dress for the afternoon. "You are
such quiet little mouse, you don't ex-
pect to achieve greatness; now do.A-
But here one sees no one"
Il wish you would make haste and
achieve ii, = said Bertha, half laughing;
'syOu have been talking about it for q
long time. ~, 45sti8 s55 e. issy
t'Only let me have the opportunity p
returned Lena, glancing in the cheyal-
glass. What have YOU done about the
ringp" she asked, as Bertha replaced it
upon her finger after washing her
hands. A s.l s..i4 @ ,5ta n,
Bertha told her. and added-"And
now :, am going to wear it till it is
"You might as well let me have it; it
is just the sort Of thing / should like"
said Lena.
.No; ] go about more than you do,
Lena" Bertha opposed; "and after all
it may be claimed. What else does
Lady Langley say in her letter."
'She speaks Of liking their new situ-
alton more and more; she says that
they have several pleasant neighbors,
and that their estate adjoins Alphing-
ton Park Hs lstitf N
Perhaps you intend to set your cap
at old Lord Alphington,n said Bertha,
again smiling; she is widower4 not
above seventy, probably and immense
ly rich, they say. Ts s4sf gs3f&
II wonder if that storyis true,p said
Lena. Struggling her shoulders.
What storypo asked Bertha, as she
arranged the ruff of the plain black
silk she generally wore in the after
noon. r NJ ~ saa Y bft S
Don't you remembef2 1T was said
that his second son disgraced himself
In some way, and had t0g to America.
Then Lord Chalfont, the eldest son,
died, and his children too, and now !,
there is no heir to the title and estate.n
remember hearing something Of
it, said Bertha. Cheer up, Lena;
there is all the better chance for you.D
you are always laughing at me,
Bertha, but you will see some day that
/ shall captivate some one better worth
having than any one we have met vel"
said Lena, pouting.
s'You vain creature, |" returned Ber-
tha, iaughingly. "We1l, all I can say
is that wealth and title are not to be
picked up every day - and you are
three e-and-twenty, Lena" s'is
why remind me Of my misfortune2p
Lena demanded, In q vexed tone. 5si1n
II only wish YOU could meet with
someone you could thoroughly like and
respect; that would be better than all
the titles In the tworld,Y said Bertha,
speaking In amore serious tone.
Not to me, cried Lena. 'tH old I;
Lord Alphingt0n were to make me an l
offer. and promise g handsome, settle \
ment, I would marry him to-morrowsnp
"Oh, hush, Lena!n said Bertha. III \
can't bear TO hear you say such things. \
Come now, 1 am quite ready let us 20 v
down TO mammal and she ran DOWN
timents that Jared upon her pure and
nature.
e..i .,.., s[zsl 4 y i Cuasinusdl p Tiisg