The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-07-19
The Biography of a L0cket.

will you let me- get you locket for
keepsake, Norah?' l heard him ask.
After little hesitation she said
Yes
DO You care for any of these-this,
for instance" he questioned. pointing to
me. Now, l was a pretty gold locket
in tiny brilliants, and l was resting in
crimson velvet case lined with white
satin.
Yes: Rex. I should like that one,
please
l was soon bought, put into paper and
placed III the gentleman's waistcoat peck
ct. Then he carried ME away, and, of
hearing what they said, could l!
Il will meet you on the Jetty at 3.
Your father promised to see me at %
Very well. l Will I've there. Good
by
Soon after I heard a bell ring. us
Maj. O'Connel at homer my young man
questioned. Yes, sir; come this way,
please
chair. my boy"
Thank you, I prefer to stand, major,
want to know yonr decision concerning
Norah,' he said, coming to the point at
once.
"Oh. You want to know my decision
concerning. Norah. do you? Well, as l
weli-ahem. other views for my Gaugh-
ter he drawled.
But. sir, l love. her. and
Love. Dosn, me other interrupted
Love is a disease we all suffer from
some time in our lives. but like measles,
though very infectious, it's not danger
GUS: All. my boy. when you are as old
no, %y,I L 4
sary in the world than love- lie finished,
mockinSly.
Il did not come to have a debate with
YOU. major. I came to ask you fer your
daughter'
And. hang it all; man! I say you
can't have her. and You are no man if
you try to bind hei., Why. a month be-
Used to marry Lord Melville.''
promised to marry Lord Melville" he
wen. next door to it; but look here,
old fellow. you leave my little girl free
Promise me on your honor not TO bind
her, and then when you come back from
the war You shall have her, but no love-
making: now mind"
"You are very cruel. but as Eorah is
do as YOU ask he replied. bitte:l=:
We'll goodby. Mnsgrave. Wish
We're going with you. I should enjoy pot
ting few Beers" he said. touching a
bell. capt. Musgrave's hat" he asked.
with admirable sang froid, as the maid
appeared.
\ door banged. and then heard nc
more until woman's voice said "You
are late, Rex
After that they talked in low voices
for long time. At last he took me out
of his pocket and then had good lock
at their faces. His was very white and
sad. and her eyes looked as if she wanted
to cry.
Little woman he said. tenderly. Il
dare not give you ring, and I promised
your father not to speak to You Of love;
but, NOrah Mavourneen. wear this for
my sake, and 'Forget-menot.' He
pointed to the inscription on my face.
II PROMISE she whispered. And,
Rex. dear. YOU won't forget me:'
\orah, my love, my darling, goodby-
goodby." and moment later my young
lady and were alone on the long level
sands.
The next day she took me to shop in
back street. will you please fix this
photograph and these flowers in this
locket?'' she asked shyly. l was taken
into a dirty room. and. much to my in
dignation. my glass was taken out and
put in. But when we reached home, my
indignation turned to pleasure. My
young lady kissed me several times and
murmured softly, "You dear old locket
I shall wear you always"
I spent a very pleasant life now. My
young lady used to wear me every day.
tucked inside her dress. One day she sat
with a deep sigh she opened me and said
piteously. ''Oh. Rex, l can't believe it.
You surely have not forgotten me 50
soon. 1t can't be true
Il have been fooled long enough: the
golden calf has evidently proved too much
for your faith" she read slowly from the
letter in her hand.
After that morning she grew much
quieter and looked at me less. and one
placed me in a box. I lay there for a
long weary time until one day she came
and took me out. l got quite a shock
when l saw her face. All the roses had
fed from her cheeks and the violet eyes
that had been so sparkling and merry
We're now dark with pain. She held me
in her hand for long time, then said
YEARLY, "Ah, my poor little locket, I
must not even look at you now. am
going to be married to man I don't
love. He is so good and kind but I
have nc heart to give him. Oh. Rex.
Rex. my darling" she walled. How
could you! Why were you not true?
| would not have believed it, but yonr
letter. ali! your cruel. bitter letter.
''All gold is tried by fire. so a heart
must be tried by pain" she murmured
dreamily. | saw her no mere after thai
day until she came to me one morning.
dressed in trailing white gown with
long veil over her face and orange BIOS
SONS in her curly hair. She came to the
box to get some pearl pins. Her face
grew. white and look of agony crent
into her eyes as she caught sight of me.
Rex: love- for the last time. gcodby,'
bling fingers. ::
Just then her father strobe into tho
room. another present? Whom from =,
he questioned, holding out his hand. .
After a second hesitation, she turned
and looked him full in the face. no.
father, it is not another present. It's 4
!ocket that Rex Musgrave gave me the
day before he sailed for Africa "a
His face was crimson. ''Tlat Young
scamp he cried. Il wonder you care