Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-12-06
THE HIDDEN DIAMONDS.

futtered away their snort existence
over beds Of pinks and marigolds, and
the sunlight OF :. bright June morning
glnted through the Yine-leaves on 4
brown-haircd girl, who, seated at the
open window of Virginia farmhouse,
was busily sewing on a dress OF antique
brocadc
Old aces. quaint silver jewelry,
high-heeled shoes, and other ornaments
of ladies of by-gone generation were
scattered on the bed and floor, while
the gaping top OF a large oaken chest
disclosed delcately-unted satins and
gauzes faded by time and disuse.
With the music OF the birds outside
the girl mingled her own voice, until
the sound of departing wheels on the
gravel, quickly followed by n banging
door and rush of skirts up the staircase,
make her look up with start.
We'll, Christie, she said as a
Younger girl entered, 'has he gone at
last? 1t was too bad to be interrupted
in the midst of preparations for the ball
by your aged admircr But he stayed
so long that he must have proposed.
Did be?'
"Oh, the old brute, How l do detest
himr'
And Christobel Penrayen threw her.
self on lounge with an angry bounce
and famed her flushed cheeks eXcit-
ediy.
Very pretty She looked as she did so,
for TIE dark and sparkling eyes. slight
ly rctrOuSsc nose, and expressive Grim
son-Epped mouth possessed . piquaney
thai was irresistible.
But her chief charm was lacking on
this June morning; the merry smile
that usually dimpled Christie's mouth
was one, and instead Of it an ominous
quicker contracted her white forehead,
and one small shoe beat an impatient
accompaniment to thoughts that were
evidently unpleasant.
Her sister looked at her in amaze
ment.
After you've cooled off q little, do
miveme the particulars OF Mr. Smilhers'
visit. Did the venerable Beniah fall on
ms knees-or try to kiss your hand-or
what on earth did he do, to make you
look so angry?'
70 her utter amazement the girl
turned suddenly towards her, her eyes
filled with hot tears.
"Op. Maud, Maudr' she cried, chow
can on speak so lightly when my heart
is almost brukeu?'
"Are you crazy Christie? Whatcould
that or humbu- ave to DO with break
ing sis, ones hearth"
"More than YOU'D think. returned
the rirl SADLY An how little | thought
WHEN we rjdicu ed his uncouth ways,
that | should have to choose between
sueh - husband rs that. and being not
Onl aome.Css mysaf, but seeing you
and ia IN forced to leave Glenmore,
tO5
Leave Glenmorer echoed Maud
her placid ewes wide with amazement.
Yes. leave our dear old home for
ever. It seems that several wears ago
father borrowed some money from Mr..
Smithers, giving him a mortgage on the
farm. 1t now amounts TO two Thousand
dollars, and rs we've no money to pay
II, and the time expires next week,
Glenmore will have TO be sold. Mr..
Smilhers has long wanted the place, and
will buv il himself; 50 he drove over
this morning, with fathers knowledge
and consent, to propose that | should
remain at GlenmoTe az the future Mrs.
Smithers. If | don't consent, be will
DO forced to request US to move out next
week, as lie wishes to take possession
1T once. An, it IS like horrid dream!
and with burst of tears, Christie
buried her face in the sofa cushions.
"But are you sure that what he says
IS true?" asked her calmer sister I'M
willing to believe such unwelcome
news.
Only too true, p" moaned tho discon-
ISOLATE girl, ''for father himself came in
with him, and told me to listen atten.
lively to what Mr. Smithers said, as il
2 was of the utmost importance to all Of
Us. And he looked ct me so sadly
when he said it, Maud. Oh, what must
do?"
Heaven knows" her sister answer
ed uncertainty. CHANGING from the pas
Sion-tossed heap of cambria on the
lounge out through the open window.
There lay the level pasture land be.
You'd the garden, green with the freel
rordure Of early summer, and farther
still the dark shadows of pine woods
& No grand Inheritance certainly was
The moss-grown farmhouse on the out
skirts OF the village Of B, but it was
very dear TO the two girls whose short
lives had been spent there. and the
thought OF leaving it seemed bitter q:
parting from lifelong friend.
Poor girlsl the farm was their father,
sole possession, and long as they talked
ever ways asd means, there remain
ed no solution TO the sorrowful problem
Of debt, but to part from Glenmore.
Come, Christie" the elder sister
SAID at last ''don't be SO respondent
Think how father viii feel if he sees
You look SO unhappy on the day you've
heen anticipating SO long. Things looi
rather blue, | admit; but something may
happen in week
In the meantime, let Us enjoy the
nsll tonight, and face our troubles after
u wards. Console yourself by thinking