Year: 1874

"That pearl ring, Mabel,-you pre-
fer that to all the others?"


| I fancied my aunt spoke in a slight
ly regretful tone, although she had
emptied the contents Of her little jew.
el-casket into my lap so carelessly,
and bid me select the trinket . which
should be her gift to me on my ap-
preaching wedding-day.


"You know I have strange fancy
for pearls, aunt; but if you have the
slightest affection for this ring, I
would not take it for the world -
and indeed" I added, setting the DEL
icate little circlet aside, and turning
again to its more glittering fellows.
"I dare say I can find one which
pleases me equally amidst such q col
lection"


But with a little hasty movement
my aunt threw it back, saying, "No,
no, my dear, if you like it, take it. I
have no affection for it. Heaven
knows I have little cause ever to wish
to see it or hear Of it again" And
then, seeing that I looked up in some
amazement at her unusual energy, she
added, with almost a scornful smile,
"What are jewels to me now"
We were silent moment or two,
and somehow 1 felt that, in spite Of
the quiet manner with which my still
beautiful aunt sank back in her chair
and resumed her embroidery, I had
inadvertentl y touched on some pain
full memory, and reused some motion
which it required all her strength Of
will to repress.


She was no ordinary character, as
we'll knew. selfpossessed and re.
served to a remarkable degree, she
had always inspired me with more
awe and respect than loving conf
dence; but as she sat there, with the
evening light falling on her delicate
face, her lips firmly compressed, her
brows slightly frowning, something
seemed suddenly to thaw my heart
toward her, and, laying my head on
her knee, I said softly, II fear I have
panied you, aunt Magdalen."
Her needle went very fast for a few
stitches, and then, as if with some res
olution which cost her an effort to
make, she laid down her work, and
fixing her eyes on mine, gazed at me
for some moments thoughtfully and
intently.


II am not superstit ious, Mabel, as
you know" she began slowly, and
laying her light cold hand on my
head "but think before we quite
conclude the matter Of the pearl ring,
I should like to tell you its history.
am not sure that you will think it
an suspicious bridal gift when you
know all about it, and-and me-"


Her voice dropped painfully az she
said the last words, and I saw by her
face that the memory of some past
sorrow was pressing upon her with a
force that even her strong will could
scarcely meet and master.


"It is not pleasant story to tell,
Mabel, and it is one, which, though
known to others, my lips have never
before told and"


eff it is painful to you, dear aunt, -
I interrupted quickly, "do not make
such an effort for me, then. Never
mind about the ring, aunt Magdalen
give me that little cross you used to
wear,-indeed the only ornament !
have ever seen upon you; I shall
treasure it even more than the pearl
ring"


"Hush, my dear, hush !" she answer.
ed, more kindly, however, than was
her wont. Il have made up my
mind to tell you this story. Do not
interrupt me, but listen quietly; and
if you can draw any lesson for your
own future guidance in life, do; and
then, at any rate, some good may re.
suit from my pain.


I was very handsome when I was
your age, Mabel; I was, moreover
accomplished; and having lived q
good deal with q fashionable cousin
in London, I had acquired all, the
polish Of manner, at least, which the
habitual contact of good society gives.
So when on one of my rare visits
home 1 met and became engaged te
Lord Rutherford, the possessor o.
Rutherford Park, no one was very
much surprised, except perhaps my:
self.


Your mother was very much my
senior, and though an angel in dispo
sition, she had never been remarka
BILE for beauty neither was she &C
complished; and she therefore regard
ed me as a marvel, and thought M
position too high for me to aspire to
Ny father shared her enthusiasm, snt
the consequence was, when I occasion