Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-04-30
A DISCOVERY.

II do not care as much about dia
monds as most folks" said grand.
ma, who had hitherto boon silent
listener to n discussion which we
younger people We're having about
gems, but our discussion instantly
gave plaoo to interest in grandma s
remark, for what she had to say we
generally found intensely interest
ing.
Polishing her glasses, grandma
said: They were associated in my
mind with youthful oscapade of
mine that caused mo so much dis
tress of mind that for long time
could not bear to look upon dia-
mond if l could help it, for as sure
as did experienced all the feeling
of deathly faintneSs which overoame
mo when mado the startling dis
oovory that had lost my stepmoth-
cr's Jewels. "
Hero grandma put on her glasses
and resumed her work, rs if that
was tho end of tho matter. But the
olamOr which followed this move on
her part soon convinced her that our
nowly awakened interest was not to
be so easily allayed or her work re-
sum ed until wo had heard the story
of her osCnpado.
"Wcll, you know" said grandma,
IL was quito young whom my mother
died, and my stopmother was q
woman of very good family and con-
siderable wealth. l was the only
child, and, fear, somewhat spoiled
That winter l made my debut in So
ciety, which was an event / had long
looked forward to. Mother had been
very indulgent to mo, and not one
of the bevy of buds who were to
come out at the same time had a
handsomer or more costly outfit
than that which was ordered for me.
But did not have a single orna-
ment given me for the event. Most
of my companion buds had been
moro fortunate than myself in that
respect. Some had pearls of great
price bestowed upon them. A few
had old fashioned gems reset for
thom, while one or two had confess
cd to borrowing from sisters already
married or older friends ornaments
elegant enough to wear upon that
suspicious occasion, for young ladies
did lot in those days make their
first appearance at tea or q recep.
tion," added tho old lady, with a
rather disdainful curl of her lip.
"a grand ball was considered the
proper thing.
Now, my stepmother had set
of magnificent diamonds which she
never wore, for rs she was great
sufferer from asthma she seldom
won't into society. She had planned
however, to chaperon me, but {
GOLD caught few days before hat
brought on an unusually severe at
tack of her old complaint, and ,
friend of the family, who was bring
ing out her own daught ter, WAS t.
take charge of me also.
Under the circumstances I ven
tured to ask my stepmother to le
me Wear her diamonds and received
very prompt and decided refusa
to my request. 1t Is needless to say
sulkod n good doal. could no
understand why she should refus,
to thus complete my happiness. o.
course she was right, and l wa.
wrong, but at the time I thought
was n much abused individual
Il poured my tale of woe into thu
sympathetic ears of my closes
friend, Oily Smith-Daffy Dowl
billy, as we girls called her. Sh,
was not bit like n daffodil. but ,
very sturdy young lady, full Of spiri
and resource, which she needed, be
ing the only girl in a house full O.
boys.
Won't your father come to thu
resoue?' said billy.
But shook my head. 1 knew
better than to appeal to him.
DO You know where they art
kept?' she next inquired, and 40
knowledged that did.
" Help yourself, said Dilly. Ssh,
will never know it, and even if sh,
should hear of it afterward she will
overlook it, or you can do penance
Diamonds are your style exactly
and it is mean Of her not to lot 20,
borrow piece.
at is not difficult task to per
suade one to follow the way thei
inclination leads, as mine did in tina
case. / knew right from wrong yer,
decidedly, but / soon mado mysel
believe that mother would overlook
my disobedience and forgive mo TO,
taking such liberty with he
Jewels.
when one yields to a tempta
ton, ! believe things are made casio
for them, at least so it seemed to m
then. Tho very day Of the ball al
aunt of mine-my fathers eldes
sister-came from distance t.
make us "a short visit, and mothe
was consequently much occupied
so that l found an opportunity t.
get the diamond case out of tn,
small iron safe in nlother's room ant
carried it to my own chamber
where, behind locked doors, 1 mad
my selection.
II did not intend to wear then
all, my natural taste making up fo
my youthful inexperience. l CHOSE
a brooch, a most beautiful affair
and the earrings to match. These
made up into a tiny but solid parcel