The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-07-31
She rang bell quickly, and gave


land OF shadows.
II was but week after their grand
mothers death, when Marcia saw Gusta
one day trying the effect of her grand
mothers diamonds.
"Gusta," said Marcia, "when are
you going to send our cousin her dia-
monds?"
"They are not hers" replied Gusta,
looking with wide opened eyes at Mar
cia. "Gran'ma gave them to me the
very last day she lived
Marcia looked little incrednlors,
and said:
"Why, Gusta, / thought You were
anarre ing with gran'ma that day.
"Well. was not. She had inst told
me she thought she was going to die,
and that I was to have the diamonds
But she had said SO many times they
were to be Mehitable's that / would
send them to her, If / were YOU"
IF you were me you would not. l
am going to wear them to finish the
captlyation of that rich Capt. Wilyoung,
who is so devoted to me-"
"Gnsta De Varney, you are not going
to that ball, with our grandmother Just
dead
whats the diff?" said Gusta, light
ly. Il am not going to lose all my
chances because she Is dead"
But told Capt Wilyoung not to
call for us on that account"
But / have met him since, and l told
him it would not make the least differ
ence."
"Gusta De Varney, you have no
heart, and / was going to say-de-
cency."
Il know it, and if it does not trouble
me what business is it OF other peo-
ple's."
Marcia said no more, but that night,
when her sisters admirer called for
her, Marcia was obliged to entertain
him for n moment, as her sister was not
ready.
so YOU will not attend?" he asked.
No." she replied coldly, mot SO
soon after grandmother's DEATH"
She did not notice the look of ap-
proval in his face, but she wondered
how he could admire one SO heartless
as her sister; in q moment more the
servant came into the room and said in
a low tone: "Your sister would like
your assistance, Miss Marcia"
Marcia arose, and, excusing herself,
went to Gusta's side.
Marcia, I can't fasten these tor
mented things, and whenever touch
them they feel like burning Goals"
Il would not wear them with that
muslin dress, they are entirely out OF
place"
Nonsense, clasp them on for me
quickly"
Marcia did as she was told and then
brought light Shetland shawl for her
sister, who departed in few moments
for Mrs. Chase's grand entertainment.
Gnsta was expecting the Looks OF
astonishment which were east upon her
Us she entered the great parlors, for
grandma's diamonds could not be
egualel in the town, and had been
worn but few times in the last TWEEN
ty years.
She felt very proud and complaisant,
and was delighted at the whispers and
glances in her direction, and her
triumph was at its height when, with
Capt. Wilyoung, she took her place to
dance. There was peculiar look upon
his face when lie said:
II beg your pardon, Miss DeVarney,
but what very uncommon ornaments
yours are?"
"Nery uncommon indeed" lisped
Gusta in delight; there are none in
Rossyille like them"
Il should think not, SAID he, gravely.
Gusta fancied the handsome Captain
was not as attentive as usual this even
ing, and she was half piqued with hin
when he joined group Of young ladies
after the dance was finished.
"Gusta De Narney, what ails you?'
asked Mamie Graves, one of Gusta'.
particular friends. "Your face is per
fectly livil, and that iewelry, l declare
Gusta, I would take it of"
"Indeed!" said Gusta, greatly dis
pleased. And pray, what fault have
you 10 find with it?"
why they look exactly like some
thing from o charnel house."
why, Mamie Graves, l did not
think your jealousy would lead you al
far as that"
Jealousy! Look in the glass, ant
see if my words are not true. Every
body is remarking upon them"
The independent Gusta went to tn,
dressing-room with smile on her face
but one glance in the long miro
caused her blood to chill in her vein
and her face to turn, if possible, pale
than before: for in the heart of eacl
cleaning stone shone out flaming
deaths head, and SO conspicuous was j
that every one could see the evil-look
ing object even across the large parlors
For mercy's sake, Mamie" sal,
Gusta to her friend, who had accom-
panied her. "help me to take off thes
dreadful things quick!'
"Why," exclaimed her friend in as
tonishment, "you knew how the
looked, didn't you?"
1T is some of Mareia's work." erie,
Gusta, perfectly infuriated at the dis
play she had made of herself. "The
must be painted on"
And then she attempted to unelas
one of the heavy bracelets, and her sol
fingers touched one of the glistenin
stones.
"Oh!" she cried, in an agony, "th
awful thing has burned my fingers t
the bone!"
1.-The girl has gone crazy" sal
Mamie, utterly astonished. Il will &
for Mrs. Chase
When Mamie had gone for the host
ess, Gusta, with terribly grew
some feeling. glanced around hel
and there, in the large miro
opposite, plainly depicted, was the iac
and form of her Grandmother De Val
ney, gazing with an evil smile at he
perplexed granddaughter.
In an instant the last words he
grandmother had ever said to her cam
into her mind, and with the cry. M
God, she is haunting mel" the unhapp