The morning call., 1891-04-15
AUNT MINNIE.

ooh, that dear beauty! Aunt Minnie,
where did you get itp l never saw it be-
fore"
mo, my child" she replied, 81 never
wear it, for there is terrible story con-
nected with it."
"Tell us, Aunt MINI lie. tell u.s." we all
exclaimed at once.
Well, we had inquisitive minds and we
did not let Aunt Minnie rest until she told
us the promised story.
When l was young I was called very
handsome. l had many lovers. Among my
lovers was Halbert Vain. He was every
thing that woman could desire in hus-
band. During the summer OF IS went to
the western part of the State 10 visit a
cousin. They lad, not long before, bought
Governor IS place, a delightful country
seat. HalDert Vain had come on to see me,
for. unexpectedly, l had extended my visit
some months. He brought with MIN his
first offering to me as my betrothed lover
an exquisite set of diamonds, of which that
bracelet which you saw this evening f0rmed
q part.
One afternoon we were riding on horse
back. At the gate of the avenue we met
some friends of my cousin. Among the Ia
dies was Beauty Bell. Her hair was SO
much au auburn that many called 1t red,
Her eyes had tint of the same rich color
Ing, ana when Ill DIlBil llslJ olO ldlSUu
she raised those wondTOuS laSheS you saw
that hair and eyes were the same color, and
both snsularly beautiful
No wonder, then, that Halbort was ia s.
cinated.
When we reached our gate he excused
himself to me, and said he would ride home
with Miss Bell.
Ny door once closed the storm burst.
wept. l raved. Every minute grew more
angry, and at last l resolved to break our
engagement that very night. Half an hour
passed, and l heard him coming.
The DOOR opened. l did not move nor look
up. He came around and stood in front OF
NE. Then, kneeling, he laid his curly head
OH my hand. and said, carelesSly:
"You are not angry, my dove, found
her"
The mention of her drove me Wild.
l sprang up, and, with dlSdaln, spurned
him from me.
minnie, wont you listen to mep" he
asked, in tones of such misery that l felt
touched.
But fierce anger burned in my breast
and with naughty bend of my head l
turned and left the room.
Day was breaking l lay with my aching
head in the open window. My hair, damp
with the night dew. fell around me, but l
did not move.
Then the sun arose with golden CLEAN
and as the bright beams broke over the
earth so gladly light entered my soul.
had been wrong, haSty and untruthlul. He
should not 60 without my seeing him.
l sprang up and began my toilet. The
sparkle returned to my eye and the color to
my cheeks
Suddenly I heard startled shrek in a
distant part of the house and | distinguished
the servants voice and heard her say:
"0h, God! Oh, Godi What shall dor
! went hastily through the dining-room
into the hall and met her.
Av,Jf j., To- I'D,
sake, keep away!' And she kept wriuging
her hands and moving backward toward the
parlor door. l knew it then. l pushed her
aside and entered.
looked around at the gilded walls, hung
with pictures, the crimson chairs, the dark
marble center-table. and near it, under the
window, that the girl had thrown open, lay
my darling-deadl
By his side was the bracelet, bathed in his
blood. On his face and white bosom, ard
all around him, this red stream Of life had
flowed.
And there he lay. with those open eyes
that would never look into mine again-gone
from me forever.
l put my cheek to his, but it was cold as
marble. L kissed the white lips and tore
open the stained bosom; laid my head on
his heart, but it was silent.
His first hemorrhage must have come on
AS L was leaving the room. Had | looked
back when that low heart-moan fell on my
ear he might have been saved; but he must
have tainted from the loss Of blood and been
unable TO call assistance.
Beauty Bell came over the next morning
to see him. She was his own cousin, and
her remarkable type of beauty, so like his
mother, had led him to make inquiries which
resulted in knowledge of their relation
ship.
My angry heart and those hasty words
had brought punishment almost greater
than ] could bear-Boston Globe.