The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-07-16
MARCELLA'S PRESENT.
"a Mistake in Rings That Caused
Much Trouble.

Marcella's birthday was approaching
and desired to give her present. 1t
grieved me to think that could not
afford a costly one. l should have re-
joiced to be able to offer Marcella dia-
monds. rubies or emeralds, but since
this was impossible, l did the best
could. A ring is always an acceptable
token Of love or friendship, and having
spent an evening or SO roaming the
Eowerv, l venturcd into a shop in
which the unreclaimcd pledges of a
pawnbroker were displayed for sale,
and found amongst the jewclry very
nice amethyst ring of the right size,
at the modest price of ten dollars.
Worth double, so help me Simpson, -
said the young Hebrew behind the coun-
ter. worth double, or I'll eat'my head ~
twas such a large head and so covered
tum, that this was very impressive
offer; and knew that it really was a
nice amethyst, and l hoped that it had
never been stolen.
OF course, Marcella would never
know where bought it, and poverty
drives us to strange deeds.
bought the ring, took it home, pol
i3hed it up with an old nail-brush
and ammonia, rubbed it in wash-leath-
CIR, and resolved to get handsome box
for it.
had barely time enough to do this
and express the ring in season to reach
my darling by the dawn of the ami
vcrsary of the day on which she first
saw the light; for she had gone with her
mother to visit All aunt in Boston, and
the aunt was not favorable to my
suit: and even if had had holiday,
which had not, had no invitation to
visit her. The ring must be sent, and
before six o'clock, and hurried from
the Bowery in the direction of Broad
way, toward the establishment of a
well-known fashionable jeweler. l was
acquainted with one of the clerks; and
they would sell them. Young Doughty
was at counter and unemployed,
and he exhibited some little boxes of
satin-ined Russian leather which were
very handsome. -
Give me your ring" he said, land
I'll fit it to one.' AndI gave it to him,
and he went away. When he came
back he had two boxes in his hand,
and handed one Of them. to me, the
other to an elegantly attircd lady, who.
after receiving it, passed to a carriage
which stood before the door. A foot
man in livery opened it, coachman to
match was upon the box. Mr.. Glitter
himself opened the door. Mr.. Glow
bowed in the background
Notice that lady, Parkin?' said my
friend.
''She's a handsome woman" replied.
Very we'll for married lady of
forty" said Doughty. ''But was TAX
ing what you might call professional
view of her. She is said to have finer
diamonds than any other woman in the
country. They say there are lots Of
duchcsses and all that on the other side
that couldn't show their equals. OF
course she don't wear 'em on the
street, but of IN evening she blazes
with them. Her husband is immensely
rich, but they say he hates to hand out
ready cash, and now and then-but
there is Glitter coming this way and he
don't allow gossip That's a pretty
amethyst of yours. She'll like it. Ha!
ha! hap
And glad to escape, for had not a
moment to spare, rushed out of the
store and to the express office. l
longed to look at Iuy ring again, but
Doughty had it put up into such a
workmanlike little parcel that hated
to undo it. The clerk at the express
Office directed it and rejoiced to know
it was on its way. Two days after I
: received note from Marcella.
DEAR CHARLES: Your magnificent present
took my breath away. Have you come into a
fortune? am utterly amazed The name on
the box told me at once that it was something
very fine, but never in my widest dream
thought Of anything 50 lovely, etc., etc" -.
OF course do not mean to give YOU
the whole of Marcella's love letter. It
was so kind of the dear girl, who had
such a fuss about this little amethyst
ring. But it was just like her. car
ried the letter next my heart until ]
heard that she had returned home and
went to her.
When she entered the room, smiling
and holding out her hands to me, for
got everything but her beauty, at first
but when we were seated together
upon the sofa she held up her finger.
Upon it she wore, firstly, the little
pearl engagement ring which l had
given her, above it ring in which
shone the most magnificent diamond
had ever seen. as large as her finger
nail and perfect we'll of blazil, g light.
"Your diamond, Charles" said she.
ID, my diamond" repeated, in be-
\ wil6ered way.
\ Il suppose it is an heirloom or some
Fhing of that Sort. said Marcclla;, 81
lever was so overwhelmed. But do
Ru know you have won Aunt Matilda
A it? Her own Diamonds are very
IN, but when she saw this she fSirly