The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-03-14
Select Storg,
A CLASP OF AMETHYSTS.

e'N-a-5 50 -
you?" said Lucia Fanshawe, rather super
ciliously, as she glanced around the neatly
furnished back parlor, with its fashion
plates on the table, its lay figure in the
corner, and its sewing machine under the
window.
Miss Fanshawe was tall, elegantly
dressed young woman, with perfectly fit
ting kid gloves, bonnet that had been
imported direct from Mademoiselle De-
vigne's, in Paris, and general "I am
better-than-you" air.
Ellen Lilburne was pretty, too, but her
dress was cheaper, her manners less aggres-
sive.
The two girls had been desk mates at
Madam Duponts fashionable school in
Philadelphia, but since their graduation
the wheel of fortune had revolved In far
different directions. Lucia had become
engulfed in the whirlpool of gay society,
where rich husband was the prize for
which all were striving, and nothing more
serious than the last german or the next
progressive euchre party was talked about,
while poor Ellen, driven by stress of cir
cumstances into the noble army of bread
winners, had dwelt in a more toilsome at
mosphere.
"Yes," said she composedly, 81 am tax
ing in dressmaking. Have you any Gus
toners that you could recommend me :?
Since papa's death mother and l are thrown
upon our own resources, you know"
She had spoken quickly and with spirit.
Something in Miss Fanshawe's manner had
nettled her.
'Oh, dear, no y said Lucia, smelling at
the la France rose that she held in her
hand. "My dresses are all designed in
Paris, except the very commonest, and
those 1 have from Miss Attineli, on Four
teenth street. / never did care for anna
teur work"
Indeed p said Ellen. "Then TO what
do owe the pleasure of this call? 1t is
not at all probable that you have taken the
trouble to come here merely to see me"
Lucia laughed little awkwardly.
."You always were so satirical," said she.
"Bat l am going to fancy dress party as
heliotrope flower next week, and l re-
membered that pretty amethyst clasp that
you used to wear at school. 1t would
match my trimmings exactly, you wouldn't
mind lending it to me for a few days"
Ellen opened little desk close to the
( window and took it out-a creseeRt-shaped
line of purple fire, set in dull gold frame
$50 much obliged to you" said Lucia
smoothly. "And if l hear of any one who
desires to employ dressmaker l shall GER
tainly recommend you"
Old DR.. Findley was in his study the
next day when Miss Fanshawe was an
nounced. He knitted his shaggy brow
"a silly, fippant votary of fashion, h'
muttered to himself. aWhat brings that
grand-niece of mine here? I've given heI
to understand often enough that her visit
are unpleasant p
But Lucia came in smiling.
''Dear Uncle, said she, "I've heard tina
you are making a unique collection of pre-
cious stones, and I've brought an humbl,
contribution to it,
DIR. Findley pricked up his ears, his eye
grew bright.
"Eh ?" said he.
''It's an heirloom in our family" sai
Lucia. can amethyst crescent that be
longed to my mothers mother OF cours
we are very much attached to it, but t
, please you we would sacrifice any feeling G
mere sentiment"
; sLet me see it, . said DR.. Findley.
He turned the trinket over and over
held it so that the sunlight was refecte
from the facets of violet fire and serutinize
the setting keenly.
"Hump," said he, "hump It's goo
color, and the pattern is choice. But
shall not take your pretty ornament, Luci
/, without making some return. A fair e
change is no robbery. Amethysts are rar
but diamonds are more precious. Here
He took from teak wood jewel cask
ring set with dew drop of glistenir
n whiteness-a diamond Of the choicest watt
''Oh, uncle ' cried delighted Lucia, c.
oring high with pleasure" this is t
much"
''No, it isn't" he retorted, curtly; al
Lucia went away feeling that she had
e ce ring handsomer than Miss DeBougainyill
solitaire that everyone admired so much
e 1t SO happened that young DIR. Linds
to strolled in few days subsequently to &C
lal suit with the old practitioner about sol
new combination of drugs, and found h
absorbed in the contemplation of his
4 tiques.
Y "I.ook here, Frank, did you ever sec
"a "a finer row Of amethysts? Leave off talk
ion about Materia Medica. One can't eat a
drink shop the whole time. Look at
color-see the size