The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-06-21

L
ductor.
And as Lydia crept sorrowfully out
OF the train, something bright, like a
fallen drop of dew, scintillated on the
floor at her feet. She stopped to pick
it up. 1t was diamond scarf-pin in
the shape OF horse shoe.
esquire Carhart's company must
have dropped it, said lydia 10 herself.
"Oh, how it sparkles Il it were only
mine For | am sure it must be worth
more than hundred dollars"
She glanced furtively at tall, broad.
shouldered young fellow who had been
seated IN the train few seats beyond
her.
"He never looked around" thought
Lydia. "I'm glad of it, for he must
have known that l had been crying.
But | must give this back to him.
With light, swift step she fastened
to over take Squire Carhart's city guest.
Please, is this yours ? she said hold
ing up the glittering half circle. l found
it on the car floor close to where you
were sitting.
He started and raised his hat.
1t IS Mr.. Watton's niece, isn't it2
said he, Miss Lydia1 Yes, it is mine,
and I'm a thousand times obliged to
you. ! must have fastened it in care
lessly. And value it very highly, too !;
it was gift from my father.
Is it worth a great deal OF money?
asked Lydia, lifting her sea-blue eyes
to his face.
About hundred dollars, | suppose.
l wish it was mine, said lydia, with
a long sigh, as If she were talking alond.
Yours2 Why, it isn't lady's orna'
ment.
Oh, not the pin Lydia fastened to
explain, but the money-the hundred
dollars. Goodby Here is the carriage
waiting from Carhart Court.
eWill you let me drive you as far as
Wstton Farm?" asked the stranger, cou
rteo(sly.
And tired Lydia willingly acceded.
The upshot was that when she enter
ed her uncle's presence, she give him
bank bill representing the price of the
prize colt.
Where did thee get this money,
child1" solmonly asked Uncle Joshua.
II borrowed it, confessed Lydia.
Don't ask me any more questions uncle.
I'll pay it back if | have to pick black
berries at four cents quart all summer.
l hope thee will give up this bust
ness of scambering about on horseback,
Lydia, after this. Severely spoke Aunt
| Rebecca.
But, aunt the old fortune-teler told
me that my fortune would one day be
made by "a
Lydia stopped abruptly as she re-
membered how the diamond horse
shoe had glittered on the floor at her
feet that day. Her color rose, her heart
beat.
Thee must remember, Lydia, admon
lshed Aunt Rebecca, that all OWNERS
and for-tune-tellers are snares of Satan.
Yes, Aunt Rebecca, murmured the
girl.
But from that day an insCrutable
change came over the whole character
of her life.
The pleasant summer sunshine had
faded out OF the land. The Saratoga
hotels were closed gay Newport was
deserted.
And Mrs. Blythe, sitting in the yell
low light of her jonquil silk curtains,
was smiling over a card which Matilda
had just brought in
Dear Algy |" she mumured. l knew
he would come
Sne glided into the wife and gold
drawing room all gracious cordially.
You recreant cavalier p she smiled.
I've half a mind to scold you, and
yet
Do | deserve that title2 Mr.. Vane
asked. For you are the first person to
whom l have told the great happiness
of my life. Oh, l see you don't under
stand me /! Come out from behind the
draperies, Lydia, and help me to ex-
plain.
And Lydia, blue eyed and fair-tress-
ed, came.
We are married, mamma, said Lydia
Algy and l. And we sail for Europe
in the Comandra, at noon. Won't you
you kiss me, mamma, and wish me
joy7"
Mrs. Blythe kissed Lydia-and Algy,
too-and wished them joy,
But it was the severest ordeal to
which she ever had been put. A
mother-in- law instead of bride This
was hardly what she had looked for
ward to.
Bat even in that trying moment she
noticed the ghttering pin which fasten
ed Lydia's lace bonnet-string- quaint
device of tiny dlamonds-and remem-
bered what the girl had once SAID
about a fortune.teller and horseshoe.
Mamma didn't look quite pleased,
Algy, said the bride, when they were
hack in the carriage, driving to the
steamers wharf. Do you suppose she
IS vexed because we didn't take her
into our confidence ?"
dare say, remarked Mr. Vane, that
no mother likes to lose her child to
suddenly. Least of all, darling, so
sweet treasure as you.
And neither of the two suspected
what a poisoned danger was that day
ranking in the breast of Mrs. Rosa