The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-08-20
JANET'S LESSON.

Judge Seaton had arranged to take
his daughters TO Long Branch for the
season. and he invited Janet TO accom-
pany them. Janet was beautiful
girl, graceful and well bred. and the
Seatons fanced her; and the Judge,
! being a remote relative of her mother,
felt it kind of duty TO look after
Janet little aud to DO what he reason
ably could do for her.
twill do the child good" he ex-
planned TO his wife, land no one
knows what pretty girl may accom-
pish in the run of Long Branch sea-
SON.
Mrs. Scaton elevated her delicate
brows in well-brcd surprise, but she
was too amiable and lady like to raise
any objection 10 her husbands will. so
the matter was settled.
On the very afternoon before their
departure. while Janet was packing
her crisp muslins and her one silk, an
old camphor- wood box arrived. Cap
tain Larrimer of the brig Nautilus,
brought it down. He had just got in
to port and had spoken with the White
Swan on his homeward voyage. jack
Hilliard was first mate on the Swan,
and he sent the old sweet-scented chest
as present to Janet. They were not
formally engaged, but they had been
lovers ever since childhood, and Janet
wore Jacks plain gold ring on her en-
gagememt finger. Jack never forgot
her. and now he had sent the camphor-
wood box over the seas rs birthday
present.
But Janet was too much excited, to
full of her trip to Long Branch to no.
tice il. Size went on with her pack
inc. and when Tom Seaton. the Judges
handsome son. drove down 10 take her
over to the Cedars she hurried off, not
even pausing to bcStOw a glance upon
the queer old box. When Janet had
fairly gone the old farmer shouldered
it and carried it up to her chamber.
"Ah. my girl he muttered. veil
be glad enough to come home to jacks
box by and by-thiS sudden fever will
soon burn itself out.
Janet found her sojOurn at Long
Branch perfectly entraucing; the gay
company. the balls, the music. and
more than all else Tom Seaton's con-
stant and fattering devotion, bewilder-
Ell Het Drain anu SlcuCcu DOln con-
science aud common sense.
From Long Branch the Judges party
went to the mountains. and one hazy
September afternoon Janet found her
self all alone with Tom Seaton in one
of the most romantic hauutS of the
Catskils.
What in the world makes vou wear
this old-lashoned ring, Janel?' Is it
a love gift or anything of the kiud?'
No, replied Janet. coloring with
embarrassment.
Then let me take it off and put
something pretticr in is place"
Janet was too weak, too fond Of his
flatterv TO resist. but sharp pain
pierced her heart as he drew the plain
gold band from her finger and put
costly diamond i'll its place.
Now. that's something like" ,,be
said. You must wear it for my sake,
jamie. aud I'll keep this"
He dropped Jacks ring in his pocket,
and Janet sal silent. Il vivid remenI-
brance crowding through her mind of
the night Jack put it upon her finger.
Poor jack Her eyes grew dim with
tears rs she thought of him. but she
made no effort to remove the flashing
diamond.
The season was over at last. and the
travellers turned their faces homeward.
1t was the middle of October when
Janet returned to the farmhouse.
Farmer Gresham was busy gathering
in his stores OF grain, ANA his thrifty
wife was up to the eyes in her prepara-
tiOn for winter.
After the first greetings were over
janet ran UP 10 her own chamber,
with It's sweet and simple appoint
meutS. She sat down on the snowy
couch and looked about her. Not an
article had changed. and there in one
corner stood the old camphor-wood
box.
a vague curiosity stirred the girls
heart rs her eyes fell upon it. What
had jack sent her. she wondered, and
she glanced down ut her snowy
diamond with a sudden pang.
Presently she stole down TO her faith
er's chest aud obtained hammer and
chiscl. and then set TO work at the
battered lid.
The box was lined with silk. Down
in the very bottom she came to mar
vel of loyelineSs. A suow-white shawl.
with long trailing fringes and 4 web
of folded silk that cleaned like the
bosom of swan; aud deeper still lit
tie casket. and iii it lace veil that
looked like film of moonlight, and a
string of great milky pearls as lustrous
as Easter moons.
There was strip of paper, and
scrawicd on it were these words!
My darling. When | come home |
shall ask you to be my wife. and if you
say yes these may help for your we'd
ding things"
Janet let the battered lid fall. and
dropped her head upon it. Then she
broke into n storm of passionate tears.
Poor good jack and she had forgotten
him and given away his ring. Then
she went on with her Sobbing till the
sound of Il voice below interrupted her
Miss Tabitha Turner's voice raised
to an excited pitch.
Yes. it's so. an no mistakei Jake
Miller got here this morning and he
was pilot Of The " bite Swan, We know.