Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-03
THE LOVE CHARM,
OR
IN TROUBLED WATERS.

m TROUBLED WATERS.
nWhy. Lettie Vincent, you don't mean
RI saw YOU have been quarrelling with Der
tie. and only six months married?" saiq
Mrs Austin, reprovingly to her niece, VINO
had run in for moment to see her. -
"Well. ie wasn't exactly quarrel" Dali
sobbed Lettie. But if he fiuds fault with
me have to talk back little snarp, al"
then he goes away angry" =.
81 always had charm against these lit
+le storms when was married. 1 inherit
ed it from my mother, and l think l shall
give it to you"
AS she spoke she upclasped necklace
from her throat made of twenty iustrous
amber beads. 81 didn't wear these when
I was first married." said Mrs. Austin.
1sbut carried them around in my pocket:
So must Won, Now when your husband
speaks sharply to you, and you teei like
Swapping back, irst count three of these
beads on your fugeFs. There's something
mystic about amber, and when you've
counted three beads you can say Wist you
please"
Lettle laughed little apgrily. -,
''You are making fun of me, aunty'
she said. ~,
6Nc, amt" she said, gravely. 81
don't expect you to believe 1t, but Go ask
you to give it a fair trial"
s'But it seems SO ridiculous?'
fsPlenty of good things seem ridiculous
at first, but I know that if you won't utter
a syllable after you have been vexed by
BERTHE until you say one, two, three-one
for faith, two for hope and three for char
ity-then mark my words, child, you will
find the amber charm will work.
"Well," Lettie said, taking the beads
and glancing at them little snpeIstitious
", ssI'll try them, but I'm certain they
Non't do any good.
'And 1 am certain they will" said the
old lady cheerfully.
When Lettie went back home tlas night,
in the solitary summer twilight, BERTHE
Vincent was there before hur, impatlently
Qaclug the floor.
ssWell," he said sharply, 81 don't know
that particularly admire to come home
and find the house deserted. Why couldn't
you have told rae that you were going
awal?''
t'Because am not three-year-Oid baby
20 have to ask leave every time go out
That is the reason why"
Theae words wera the answer that rose
hoty to Lett;e's lips but she suddenly re-
mem bered the amber charm. and slipped
her hand down into her pocket, and DELHI
erately counted off three of the glttering
globes; and by the time she had finished
She zone for faith, two for hope, and three
Tor charity.'' a little of the dreariness IF
the uulIghted apartment struck into her
own heart, and she realised it was cheef-
less place for BERTHE to come home to.
81 didn't mean to stay co late" she said,
cheerily. s'But did want to go and see
aunty so badly, and perhaps [ should have
told you that [ thought OF spending the
day at the farm. I'll light the gas in a
minute, dear"
Berries frown faded away.
Well, suppose we both go down On
Sunday, Lettie? l declare DON'T wonder
you want TO go, for it is insufferaoly stupid
for you here all Gay long alone, with only
the canary and Inc kitten for company.
Nog sit down and let me read the paper to
you until you get rested"
And an almost supersttious thrill passed
4!no1gh Lettie's heart as she realized the
success OF tee amber charm.
Next morning, lir. Vincent, dressing il
hurry, found a button of his shirt.
''If here isn't another button gone" be
exclaimed, angrily dashing the shirt to the
aoor.
st does seem to me you might be lit
tie mere careful about such things, Let
tle."
4 sharp retort trembled on Lettie's
tongue, but like lightning the amber charm
flashed across her memory, and the faith.
nope and charity trio were called to her
relief.
81 will look them all over this morning,
Berthe. You shall find every button right
after this"
As she spoke, she laid out another shirt
not buttonless. and he laughed happily.
81 shouldn't ave spoken SO quickly"
said be; ''but you know what button IF
= mau's shirt is to his temper
when he had gone to the Office, leaving
All sffectionate good on Lettle's pretty
face. she drew out her amber charm and
divided Bertie's kiss with it.
You darling old thing" she said, aloud
''Bertie does love me, and thanks to you,
my blessed trio, l am learning to control
this pettish, wayward tongue of mine l't-
Eis."
Autumn leaves were falling when she
vent down to the old farm house again.
"Vell, dear" said Mrs. Austin, ''and
how does the spell works'
sob, aunty?" she cried, 81 am so happy
am SO thankful to you. Aud If can only
keep these precious old beads forever
''Of course, my dear, of course; keep
'en as long as you want 'em. Only as far
as theic being a charm is concerned''-
"You needn't tell me, aunty, abont
that" And Lettie laughed and colored. q
know it is not the three beads so much az
tie stopping 10 think. Bnt who w0nld
think that little way ofstopping to oDupt
would be actual discipline for ourselves?
know was always quick and irrita Die!
but, Aun5y, am learning TO control my
TEN per. And if live a hdndred years, 4
feel that l must have my faith, hope aGd
chority' charm"
"And SO you shall, dsar," said Mrs.
Austin, as she took off her glasses and
wiped away the mist of tears that had gath
cred on them.
Because" Lettie added, ''they base,
no doubt, been to me a precious charm