The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-03-01
gelert gturg.
MY AUNT'S PEARL RING.

| fancied my aunt spoke in slightly re-
gretful tone, although she had emptied the
contents of her little jewel-casket into my
lap so carelessly, and bid me select the
trinket which should be her gift to me on
my approaching wedding-day.
"You know I have strange fancy for
pearls, aunt; but if you have the slightest
affection for this ring, l would not take it
for the world; and, indeed" l added, set
ting the delicate little circlet aside, and
turning again to its more glittering fellows,
II dare say can find one which pleases
me equally amid such a collection"
But with a little hasty movement my
aunt threw it back, saying, "No, no, my
dear; if you like it, take it. have no af-
fection for it. Heaven knows have little
cause ever to wish to see it or hear of it
again" And then, seeing that looked up
in some amaxement at her unusual energy,
she added, with almost scornfui smile,
HWhat are jewels to me nowr'
We were silent moment or two, and
somehow 1 felt that, in spite of the quiet
manner with which my still beautiful aunt
sank back in her chair and resumed her
embroidery, I had inadvertently touched
on some painful memory, and reused some
emotion which it required all her strength
of will to repress
She was no ordinary character, as l well
knew Self-possessed and reserved to
remarkable degree, she had always inspired
me with more awe and respect than loving
confidence; but as she sat there, with the
evening light falling on her delicate face,
her lips firmly compressed, her hrows slight
ly frowning, something seemed suddenly to
thaw my heart toward her; and in spite of
her frigid manner, drew closer to her, and,
laying my head on her knee, said softly, 81
fear have panied you, Aunt Magdalen."
Her needle went very fast for few
stitches, and then, as if with some resolu-
ton which cost her an effort to make, she
laid down her work, and fixing her eyes on
mine, gazed at me for some moments
thoughdully and intently.
II am not superstitious, Mabel, as you
know" she began slowly, and laying her
light, cold hand on my head; "but | think
bef oe we quite conclude the matter of the
pearl ring, should like to tell you its his
tory. | am not sure that you will think it
an auspicious bridal gift when you know
all about it, and-and mt"
Her voice dropped painfully as she said
the last words, and saw by her face that
the memory of some past sorrow was press
ing upon her with a force that even her
strong will could scarcely meet and master.
t. =. TO- fall Mohal
and it is one which, though known to 9th
ers, my lips have never before told; and"
''If it is painful to you, dear aunt" l
interrupted quickly, "do not make such an
effort for me- then. Never mind about the
ring, Aunt Magdalen; give me that little
cross you used to wear-indeed the only
ornament / have ever seen upon you; |
shall treasure it even more than the pearl
ring"
EHush, my dear-hush p she answered,
more kindly, however, than was her won't.
II have made up my mind to tell you this
story Do not interrupt me, but listen
quietly; and if you can draw any lesson for
your own future guidance in life, do; and
then, at any rate, some good may result
from my pain.
| was very handsome when was your
age, Mabel; [ was, moreover, accomplished
and, having lived good deal with fash
ionable cousin in London, had acquired
all the polish of manner, at least, which the
habitual contact of good society gives. So,
when on one of my rare visits home | met
and became, engaged to Lord Rutherford,
the possessor of Rutherford Park, no one
was very much surprised, except, perhaps,
myself.
Your mother was many years my senior,
and though an angel in disposition, she had
never been remarkable for beauty; neither
was she accomplished; and she therefore
regarded me as a marvel, and thought no
position too high for me TO aspire to. My
father shared her enthusiasm, and the con-
sequence was, when occasionally came to
spend month or two at the quiet country
rectory, was treated as kind of divinity
by my own family, and feted and admired
as a superior being by the quiet. country
neighbors.
In Justice to myself, however, l must
say that, although naturally enough was
willing and pleased to be fattered, my head
was not altogether turned by it; and had
acquired enough worldly knowledge in my
London experiences to know that beauty
was not the sole charm by which husbands
were to be won-especially noble husbands
or fate ruled And when, therefore,
Lord Rutherford asked me to be his wife,
was very much delighted and certainly a
little surprised.
accepted him without moments hes
itation; or rather, should say, | accepted
his coronet and fortune; for of himself, ex-
cept as necessary appendage to these de-
sirable blessings, thought nothing.
He was dark, and stern, and rather cold
in manner; and certainly had he been a
simple nobody 1 should never have dreamed
of preferring him to light-hearted cap
tain of dragons who happened to be stay
ing in the neighborhood, and who, for some
time, had been paying me devoted atten-
ton.
Guy Deveril was one of those men to
whom the term Fascinating" may be truly
applied. He certainly thoroughly under
stood the art of making himself agreeable
and if he did not win hearts quite so quick
ly or constantly as he fancied, he won with
out difficulty those first vivid fancies which
little constancy on his part could soon
have made firm, even fierce, love.
certainly liked Guy better than Lord
Rutherford, and it was rather trial at first
to have to give him up as my constant
companion in walking and riding, and take
dark, stern Eustace instead; but the coronet
kept me firm for the first few days, and
then gradually my betrothed's truly noble
character became more revealed, and if |
did not love him enthusiastically, | learned
to respect and honor him, as well as to ap-
preciate his refined and intellectual conver-
sation.
The more I was with him, too, the high
er grew this esteem; and, in justice to my