The Worthington advance., 1900-09-21
HER JEWELS.
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IT OUGHT to have been a radiantly
/ contented face that was turned to-
ward the dress lying like snowdrift
across the lounge, so beautiful, so taste
full it was, and so certain to be won
drously becoming to the fair, dainty
little lady who stood looking at it, her
blue eyes frowning, her red lips little
pouty.
Mrs. Clifford touched the thick, shin
ing satin bodice caressingly and looked
up at Jennie.
Don't you like it, dear? I can't
see where there is room for the slight
est improvement. The skirt is elegant
and the bodice is exquisite"
Jennie laughed at her mothers evil
ly satisfied.
1T is perfectly lovely, mammal" she
replied. There can be no doubt of
that, and am quite sure I shall look
nicely in it, and I am also quite sure
Phil will admire it. Only"
And the little discontented look came
back into the pretty blue eyes that
Phil Courtenay swore by, that had
played sad havoc with his heart until
he had conquered their owner.
Mrs. Clifford looked inquiringly.
"Only what, Jenniec"
Then the secret dissatisfaction came
out in burst Of emphatic earnestness:
If I didn't have to wear flowers,
mamma, with it.! Oh, am so sick of
fiowers-aowers, always flowers, for
ornaments-and I am just dying for
jewels-a diamond cross and earrings"
And accompanying the words was
defiant little nod of the head and COM
preston of the red lips.
Mrs. Clifford gave an exclamation of
startled astonishment.
Jennie! A diamond cross and ear
rings! The idea! Why don't you wish
for queens crown or an angels wing,
and be done with it? A diamond cross
and earrings! Child, how silly to waste
even thought, a wish, much less.
word, on such an utter absolute impos-
sibility!"
Instead of being hushed by Mrs. Cliff
ford's positive determination, Jennie
only smiled, with a little more of def
ance in her blue eyes.
"But do wish for them, all the same,
mamma; and 1 think I ought to have
them, too. And so does Phil, and he has
as good as told his rich old granduncle
to give me just such present. He's
horribly stingy, old Mr.. Be1nerton is,
and if I wait until he gives them to
me"
The willful little beauty crested her
head and shrugged her shoulders very
becomingly. ~
"But, dear, I cannot see what that
or anything else can have to do with
your insane desire. Wait until Mr..
Bemerton sees fit to present you with
some handsome jewels; and meanwhile
you will look just as sweet us ever in
fresh, lovely fowers!"
Mrs. Clifford had a caressing, gentle
way of speech that was the very essence
of motherhness.
"But, mamma, you see, must have
the diamonds, or else won't go to the
ball."
Her mother sighed over the sweet,
willful girl.
"And,''. Jennie went on, in decisive
sort of way her mother knew would be
of no avail attempting to prevent, Il
can easy enough have them, mamma.
I'll hire them for the occasion!"
The girls suggestion fairly took Mrs.
Cliford's breath away for the minute.
Jennie! Hire them! Child, what
folly you are talking! Wear hired jew
els--hired finery! Jennie, surely you
are not in earnest when you propose
such an unwomanly, such a perfectly
disgraceful thing?"
Jennie's eyes sparkled as she listened
impatiently.
Mamma, what nonsense. Better
people than we do such things, and I'm
sure it can be no worse than hiring
masquerade suits, ahd everybody does
that, or imposing upon people with
hired wedding presents, as Cousin Amy
did;"
"VVhat your Aunt Olive does is often
very different from what would do.
Besides, Jennie, you know Philip would
be indignant. You know he would never
tolerate such thing"
Jennie's cheeks flushed.
II will tell him, II he says word, that
1t is because his cross, miserly old
uncle refuses to give me any, and
there'll not be anybody at the ball
without ornaments. Mamma, I'm go.
ing to have them, and that's all there is
about it! And I'll look so nerfectlv fas-
cinating that even you will forgive me,
you dear, little over-conscientious
mother you! Now let me kiss you
mamma, for I assure you I .shan't stir
one step till you do, so I'll know you
aren't cross with me.' ~ u 81 q. & M
And, for all the mother heart was
sore at the girls headstrong willful-
ness, yet It was no easy matter to -
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