Evening star., 1927-05-14

<<VV YE'RE very happy--viols
IS a and 1. In Is years o.
wv married life our portion
had been health, peace
and fair competence.
In Summertime our small house
| was a bower of fragrant beauty ano
| in the Winter the trysting place OF
warmth and good cheer.
Then there was Lotus, our only
daughter. The artist painted her as
gazing dreamily into the future. with
the tiny dimnIed hand holding her
lacy gown against her right shoulder
her only ornament being pecuilaf
brooch with a large emerald cleaning
from its dull, old-fashioned gold
setting,
1t was conceit of Viola's to have
her nainted thus, to show the soft
round neck and arms, but Lotus het'
self had cried for the emerald brooch.
THE ornament always held a curious
fascination for her. When all else
failed to amuse, she would tease for
it. and sit in the sunshine turning 1t
round and round, so that the light
would sparkle and Scintillate from lts
manv facets. Then she would laugh
with glce at the warmth and beauty
of its radiance.
'See. mamma" she cried one day,
my emerald is happy; 1t laughs when
I laugh, and when l think sad things
about poor little hungry children. 1t
grows dull and does not shine. Let
me wear it on my collar, just for
little while" :.
'I am afraid you might lose It,
Lotus" her mother answered, tenderiy
stroking the dusky curls.
II will be very careful, mamma!
nIay il is a dreamstone, and we have
such good times together. Please,
mamma, dear"
II would not allow it," I said sharp
Iy. looking up from my paper.
Viola laughed.
cit is only a childish fancy" she
pleaded. What possible harm can
it do her?" and, kissing the child she
fastened the brooch on the lace collar.
Lotus ran happily out to her play.
Soon there was a sob from the direc-
ton of the porch. We both turned to
see a forlorn little figure awaiting our
notice.
II have broken the brooch, NAM
ma" she said in a whisper. II was
climbing the cherry tree when I
slipped. and. see, mamma. the emerald
gone"
I took the trinket in my hand. Sure
enough, it's green radiance had van
ished and it seemed to me that the
jewel sent a baleful gleam. 1t was
not injured. only loosened in its
setting.
1--WE will put this away Viola" I
said firmly. IF Lotus cares for this
bauble she may have 1t on her eight
eenth birthday. but for the present
shall lock it up"
Times flies, and before Viola and ]
could realize it Lotus had grown into
a tall. slender girl with a face for
which men do and dare. 1t was with
anxiety that her mother and l watched
the growing attachment of Lotus and
Raymond Birkley. They had been
playmates since they were children.
We had no personal objection to him,
only wanted the young chap to show
his mettle before we gave him our pet.
Besides, Lotus was too young
too young. Her eighteenth
was still a month distant.
We were planning party and dance
in honor of the event and she was
bubbling over with girlish enthusiasm.
Papa" she said to me one day,
coming up to me in her sweet. coax
ing way, ''do you wish me to tell you
what / want for a birthday present."
What is it, dear?" / asked, pinch
ing her soft cheek and dreading lest
1t be something connected with Ray.
mond.
Just this, daddy; that you redeem
your promise and restore to me the
emerald brooch"
/ brought out the velvet case and
together we examined it's contents.
felt the old feeling of repugnance
arise at the sight of the jewel. Lotus
went wild over it.
well. take it," said. not very
but the emerald is loose.
You must have it fixed. Better take