The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-05-06

q table, engaged in, opening heavy
wooden box. He rose, met Valentine, and
taking her hands in his, slowly and adj
miringly scanned her figure from head to
foot r
allow beautiful you arel' he sxid, as
iast
Valentine laughed and blushcd-
$50 beautiful that the jewels have
brought you seem quite unnecessary
Still, they were your mothers, and ] would
like you to wear some Of them to-day"
"Jewelsl l never had any on me they
will feel strange to me-"
"They will complete your toilet, how
ever, and it is time for you 70 assume
what suits your rank. So, my daughter,
make yourself even more beautiful. You
will find variety Of gems, but take your
choice; all will equally become you. !
will return for you when the. carriage 10
ready. One word, Valentine. That girl
will probably be at the reception. You
must be careful, and remember what /
said. Have nothing to do with herr do
you understand me-nothihgw
Valentine felt her face changing. The
old weight was suddenly back on her
heart. She looked at the count without
speaking; but her eyes we're eloquent
enough.
~ understand, Valentine; you think
me harsh and unkind. am, however,
acting for your interests You must trust
to my judgment in this matter l exact
obedience. So, remember"
The count held up his hand with Q
warning gesture, and left the room.
Valentine threw herself into the nearest
chair, and gave way TO her feelings OF dis
appointment and despair. Proud tears
filed her eyes and choked her.
"See Adrienne, and not notice her! I'm
possible! / cannot do i'll Oh, for some
way out Of this troubled Surely, l shall
not be forced to insult the girl whom l
have promised to love and help!"
Her bitter reflections were interrupted
by the appearance of her maid, who had
heard the count leaving the room.
"Is there anything else, miss, to do for
your
Valentine was now thoroughly indif-
ferent.
.There are some ornaments there, Marie,
that / am to wear.
"Oh, how lovely, miss never saw
such brilliant diamonds; and these pearls
Oh. they are exquisite Which will you
wearf" tuF
'1Oh, do not know; any Of them, you
can decide; you know more about these
things than l do" e-
"They are all solovely, missl and either
set will match your dress, Will you look
at them and make selectionT
~ do not care to see them, Marie. What
do you think most appropriated" Va
well, these diamonds would be lovely !
but with your complexion. pearls are con-
sidered more becoming"
.Oh, indeed" Valentines voice was full
of scorn. lro
The maid glanced at her, and saw the
alteration in her color and expression.
.Perhaps, miss, you would like this one
II 10 very peculiar, but certainly very
beautiful; it 10 made Of rubies. emeralds,
and sapphires."
"Rubies, emeralds, and eapphires, did
you say9" Valentine sat up suddenly and
looked behind her at Marie, who, still
leaning over the box, was admiring the
stones.
ayes, miss, and such brilliant ones.
Perhaps you would prefer this"
"Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires! How
the words startled mel l must be very
nervous when even the mention Of those
stones alarms me. suppose many neck
laces were made after that design, and no
doubt my mother owned one Of them"
But this mental explanation was not
entirely conclusive. Valentine looked at
Marie. a"t
THAT necklace has no medallion, no
locket, Marie"
'aohs yes, miss, II hasa lovely medal.
lion set with diamonds,
"But the clasp has no diamonds'"
Eyes, miss, three very large diamonds"
"Three large diamondsl"
Valentine sank back In the chair seeing
nothing, only conscious Of a creeping sen.
sation Of horror that seemed TO paraiyze
her. The maid noticed her movements,
and hurried to her b
"You are not well, miss. Shall ! call
your fatherT 0h
Valentine stared at her, dimly catching
her meaning. .ar7g g
"No, mol" she gasped. "Leave me for q
little while, Marie; will ring when am
ready" .
No sooner had the girl closed the door
after her, than Valentine rose and hurried
TO the table. The box was strong one,
square, with metal-bound corners, and q
curious, complicated lock. Valentine ex.
amined 1t, and then nerved herself to look
at its contents. Each article Of jewelry
lay cleaning on its dark cushion, yalen-
tine glanced overthe diamonds and pearls,
and stood transtixed before the Oft des-
cribed necklace. -." u."
Yes, there was the clasp below IL hung
the medallion; the different gems blazed
and sparkled with their borrowed lights
ike living eyes piercing her soul. 4
ais this the necklace" she cried,
sna'cbing II from the cushion, and clutch
Ing II tightly, MS If fearing that 1t would
suddenly disappear from her sight. .-Oh,
| what ~ the matter with mel am n fool