Year: 1876

III the most delicate kfacery IN DcduI


iui rosebuds frosted with dew forme


By tiny diamonds. In the centre


the necklace was small rose, and o


the underside of that there was a plac


for picture, in which receptacle ther


was the likeness of that very identica


hon who. was to appear at the enter


talnment that evening, though Mis-


Craig was in blissful ignorance of this


Elolse had had her dream of love. an,
though at times she was almost force,


to think her lover had forgotten her


yet she could not Danish him from he


heart. She had met Frank Harwoo,


two years before. At that time, b.


was rising young lawyer. handsom


and talented, but poor, while Elcis


could scarcely count her wealth. Thu


the months of their social intercourse


passed, each growing dearer to eacl


other, though he would not open his


heart to her, little dreaming how sh,


loved him. Bus one evening, he called


to see her, and while there told her hi


had come to indulge himself with one
more pleasant hour in her society, and
that 1t would necessarily be his last
that he was going away. Eloise utter
ed an exclamation of surprise and
sorrow-it was so unexpected-and
turned very pale. But with an effort
she recovered her self-control; not soon
enough, to hide her emotion from her
lover. A food of happiness seemed
to sweep over him, and he caught her
hands saying:


'Oh, Eloise, Eloise, can it be that
you really care? You have seen that
| really love you; tell me, darling, is it
possible L have any place in your
heart?"


Her blush and smile answered him.


They spent one blissful evening to-
gether, and then he left her, for he had
given his promise to act as travelling
companion to his uncle, a wealthy
bachelor, who wished to make the tour
of Europe. They sailed that day. The
next packet brought the news that the
invalid uncle had died in foreign city.
Frank had nursed him through his
long illness, and he had made him his
sole heir, leaving him nearly million
dollars.


This, then, was the distinguished
parsonage they were feteing and court
ing in the circles of uppertendom.
How like dream it seemed to Eloise
now as she thought of that evening so
many months ago. These memories
were all called up by seeing the pretty
necklace, where his handsome likeness
was hidden.


Why don't you answer me, Miss
Dale? You have such far-away look
you might as well be hundred miles
off"


Excuse me; what were you saying,
Miss Craig ?"


Saying Why, 1 was saying that l
had set my heart ON wearing the coral,
and | wish you would oblige me.


Not that" said Eloise. ITO my
other sets you are welcome, but | do
not like to lend these, and she passed
her hands lovingly over the rose-buds.


She was thinking how Frank always
loved to see her wear them, and how
greatly he had admired the delicate
carving; and an hour before he left he
had sent her the little picture himself,
and asked her to put it in the rose in
her necklace. So how could she let it
go from her hands only for few hours?


Il know it is beneath my dignity to
beg as am doing, replied Miss Craig;
but | did so want to look well in Har-
woods eyes tonight. All the girls
will be trying to catch him"


Whom did you say? cried Eloise
quickly.


Mr.. Frank Harwood, the million
aire. He came down yesterday, and
have already invited him over to lit
tie tea-party that Mrs. Markham has
consented to let me have tomorrow
evening for my friends that are stop
ping at the hotel"


Take the jewels, and welcome, Miss
Craig. | shall be very happy to have
you wear them"


You are very contradictory per-
son-one moment making me beg for
the jewels, and the next making me
perfectly welcome to them. But I'm
much obliged all the same"


Il merely changed my mind, replied
Eloise quietly.


Miss Craig would not have been so
exultant that night as she stood in the
crowded drawingroom, decked in the
beautiful jewels, ii she had known
their history.


The evening was about half oyer, and
Mr.. Harwood was standing listlessly
laning her after a waltZ, when he sud-
denly stopped short, bending down to
her, and exclaiming:


Miss Craig, pray excuse me, but
that necklace; may / ask where you
procured it? 1t is so very beautiful"
he added, seeing her blushing with en-



She made some indefinite reply, evil
IDENTIFY surprised at his excitement, but
not bright enough to attribute it to
anything except admiration for the jew
els. On his again repeating the ques-
ton, she did not hesitate to tell that
they we're a birthday gift from her
father. He curbed his curiosity, but
did not long remain below, but went up
to his room to think.


Il could not be mistaken" he mus
ed. "Oh, my darling has it come to
this, that you have had even to sell
one of your jewels ? | wish | had
inquired where that girls father bought
this necklace. l will ask tomorrow.
| must find some clue to my lost dar-
ling"


He had heard on his return of the
death of Mr.. Dale and the poverty of
Eloise, and had spent the whole Of his
time since his retnra in travelling and
searching for her, but hitherto his
search had been fruitless. He could
hardly wait for the next evening to
come, so anxious was he to see and
question Miss Craig.


The Markham farm was only about
one mile from the village hotel, Mr..
Harwood concluded to walk over. He
started early. He knew that he would
be about an hour before the other
guests, but he was too impatient to
wait. After brief walk of only few
he reached the foot of the
long, shady avenue that led up to the
farm house Finding himself 40 much
before time, he determined to have
stroll in the grove before presenting
himself at the house. Sauntering on,
he soon found himself In an old fash
ioned fower-garden that extended
down from one side of the house. In
this be saw a summer-house covered
with vines, and thither he bent his
steps. On entering, he found the
benches strewn with flowers that wers
being fashioned into boquets to place
by the plates of the guests at the tea
table. Apart from the others were two
lying side by side that we're exactly