The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-03-07
The AMBER NECKLACE.

her Portuguese father had kindied, and
the one weakness Of her life was an un-
wayerinc faith in the dear old legends
that her father was so fond Of telling.
One Of the precious heirlooms IN the
Tasquel family was a long rosary of Won
derfnl carvings, in the pale, silverr tints
Of clonded Turkish amber, or the deep,
sunshny gold of rare Persian specimens.
This had descended 10 the present Vas
ouel. and he cared for it With almost su-
peYxtiiious reverence; but when he mar
ried Margaret Dale 50 cold and stately
to all the rest Of the world. 80 winsome
and loving 10 him, she had coaxed from
his strong box Of ireasure-trove the won
,lerful amber rosary as an ornament for
her fair. white neck. lie had given il,
but unwillingly, into her keeping, and
she had worn it in triumph over her
pale-blue satin dress.
She went out one chilly, dreay morn
ing. unbeknown 10 him, and returned
with burning checks and shining eyes,
when the fierce November Storm WAS at
its wori. For several days She vas very
sick with a sudden tack of inilamna-
ton about the lungs that hushed her
sweet voice and made her breathing
heavy and painful. Then juat when
they thought the crisis past and that she
would soon recover al.e died Through
the brief. beWildering days Of her illness
Nasquel never thought Of the amber ro-
sary. but in the terrible stiffness that fol-
lowed her death and burial he had time
to think Of everything and it WAS then
he missed the precious relic Little
Margaret was two years old then, and
wonirously beautiful. Into her uncon-
scious baby ears the father poured his
hopeless Maii of agony for the loss of his
wife, and his fretful complaint that the
Nasquel talisinan was lost Baby Mar
garet confoned him with her inlantile
caresses, and cooed her inarticulate bless
ing to his wounded heart.
Fifteen years had passed since her
mothers death, and proud Miss Vas
quel walked in regal indifference among
the score of her friends and ilaiierers
who clung about her, despite a dim iinan-
call rnmor that the Nasquel property was
slowly diminishing in value for want Of
proper attention. Senior Nasquel had
lost heart and courage in the long, lonely
wears in hiel his only light and com
fort was bis darling girl. But she was
proud and beautiful and felt that in some
mysterious way the fate of the family de-
pended upon her.
4 want my portrait painted" she
said one day 10 friend Of hers, Senor
Reno, who she knew was connoisseur
In art. Father has mourned all my life
that he has no picture of mamma he
does not seem to think how badly he
would feel if should vanish from his
sight forever and leave no shadowy SEM
blance."
Senorl Reno took immediate interest
IN this matter, and soon invited Miss
Nasquel to the exhibition at the Acad-
emy of Design, 10 study the different
styles Of n few fine artists and choose be-
tween them. She chose one for the
strangely familiar look in a child face
he had contributed more than for any
special skill in manipulation that the
picture eyineed. Still Senor Reno ap-
proved her choice, said the young artist
she had selected WAS conscientious about
his work and skillful in its execution.
The sittings were commenced the next
day and the picture soon completed.
" 1t is superb likeness said Senior
Reno.
Yes" answered the young lady, with
acurious a look +" but did not know |
looked 50 much iiks porcelain
The artist smiled grayely.
" Ii is true" he said, the face is with
out enthuiasm, but is has the possibil-
ties Of life and SOUL if only knew what
would interest you. Is there no cos
tunes you would be pleased to assume,
no character you might represent with
gladness ?7
There is Il costume" she said in
which would delight TO bc painted. !
wos,der did not think Of il before"
Without further explanation she went
away. In . few days there came to the
studio an elegant costume, suitable for a
Portuguese lady Of high rank. Soon
thereafter came Miss Nasqucl and ar
rased herself in the qaint dress. A lace
veil. which dropped maniilla-like over a
pale blue satin corsage. shading her rose
tinted shoulders and round. white arms.
4 satin cloak, edged lightly with cider
down, hung from shoulder, fastened by
snowy silken cords and soft, thick tas-
ssais.
" hate these ornaments" said Miss
Nasqnel touching the heavy gold chain
and dead gold band hraneleis. They
hook like manacles. But diamonds never
paint well, and ! have no pearl neck
lace"
The artist came to her aid, and with
his critical gravity undisturbed, though
his eyes were alight with admiration for
his beautiful subject.
fou are very right to distrust the
effect Of dead goid,n ne said but,
think. il VOC are not ayerse to the an
iique, have something none appropri-
ate"
Slowly unlocking a heavy che 1 he
twoasshf oui strange, ebony clsket. and
from its satin and sandal-wood interior
lac drew forth a long string of carved
amber beads. Miss Nasqnel gave lit
tie cry Of delight as she gathered the
curious, shining things in her delicate
fingers. She held them to,her burning
checks, touched them with her scarlet
lips, whispered 10 them under her breath
and then held them up between her eyes
and the ono dim window, that the sun
beams. prisoned in them centuries ago
might meet the light once more The
artist, dazed for a moment by her unex-
pccted enthusiasm, soon recovered him.
~elf ana ~ent TO work. The sketch grew
in bold relief and delicate tin, and color.
xhile the girls eyes questioned of the
amber rosary What its mystic depths and
brightness held of fate for her and hens.
suddenly she gathered the whole shim-