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Aunt Milly's Diamonds · Aunt Milly's Diamonds

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Grandmamma's story. Yes, children, I will tell you the story of Aunt
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Milly's diamonds. And in telling about them, you must hear the tale of
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my own life. Almost because one is so mixed up with the other that
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they can scarcely be separated. The speaker, an old lady, looked pleasantly
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at a group of grand children, her Christmas visitors, who tired with many
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a merry game, were clustering round her and asking for the story. It
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was Christmas Eve, and they had been making the old Hall at Deansfield Manor
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ring with happy voices, and now in the dim twilight hour, they came
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into the drawing room and begged that before the gas was lighted, Grandmamma would
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tell them all about those diamonds. A charming group they made, the girls
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with their young fair faces and streaming curls, the boys full of life and
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strength and fun, yet all so loving to the silver haired lady, who
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delighted to see them round her at happy Christmas tide. Picture them for yourselves,
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some the older girls, demurely seated ready to listen. Two little ones
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on footstools by Grandmama's knees, each holding a hand tenderly imprisoned. The lads
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just stretched here and there upon the rug, while on their upturned faces the
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blaze of a Christmas fire shone and danced merrily. But listen, Grandmamma is
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beginning her story. Aunt Milly and my own dear mother were sisters, but
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there was a great difference in their ages, and still more in their worldly
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possessions. My aunt married while very young, the owner of deansfilled Manor,
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where we are now gathered to spend our Christmas. You know, children.
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Her husband, Squire Dean, was a very rich man, and the diamonds
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you have heard so much about were his wedding gift to Aunt Milly. They
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were worth many thousands of pounds and were talked about all over the county.
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But though they were so much admired, both for their cost and beauty,
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I do not think anybody envied Aunt Milly the possession of them, You know,
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DearS, there is a great difference in the way persons use jewels.
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If people think themselves the better for possessing them and look down upon their neighbors
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because they cannot have such costly things, they show a foolish pride and a
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wrong spirit. But if they look upon them as beautiful things that God has
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created and to which He has been pleased to compare his own beloved servants and
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children in Christ. Just using them in a spirit of thankfulness to their maker,
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they will stir up no envy amongst those who do not possess jewels themselves.
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I believe that Aunt Milly looked at her diamonds in this way. She
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used to say that she never put them away so carefully in their cases and
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locked them up in their strong box, without thinking of God's promise to them
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that feared him, and spake often one to another. The text is in
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Malachi, and the words are and they shall be mine, saith the Lord
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of Hosts in that day when I make up my jewels. Aunt Milly told
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me that the sight of her husband's costly gift made her often pray to be
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numbered amongst the jewels of the Lord of Hosts. My dear mother's home was
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very different from Deansfield. Her husband was a clergyman, and though for a
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few years the sisters lived near each other, my parents were moved to well
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and Vicarage whilst we children were quite young, and then we were a hundred
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and fifty miles from Aunt Milly and Deansfield. Soon after came a great sorrow.
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Mister Dean and my aunt went abroad for the winter, and while traveling
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together in southern Italy, he met with an accident, from the effects of
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which he never recovered. My father went to try to comfort my aunt and
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thought she would return to England with him, but she could not bear to
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think of that fair home where her brightest and happiest years had been spent,
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and he came back alone, leaving her in Italy. Beautiful Deansfield was deserted,
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and only a few old servants remained in charge and looked longingly year after
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year for the return of their mistress. Well and vicarage, where my youth
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was passed, was a happy, peaceful place. My dear father was the
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beloved vicar of the parish, and his wife and children found a welcome in
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every house, from the cottage to the hall. We knew little of such
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great wealth as Aunt Milly could command, for mister Deane had left all to
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her. But on the other hand we were free from those small economies and
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anxieties which alas harassed so many. The income of the vicarage was not large,
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but my mother's little fortune and a small property of my father's made our
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means quite sufficient. Possessing plenty without luxury, and having occupation without wearing toil.
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Surely we could say that the lines were fallen unto us in pleasant places.
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There was no small excitement in our country home when one day my mother,
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after reading a long letter from her sister, exclaimed, how glad I
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am I Aunt Milly is coming home at last. My father looked up with
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an expression of please surprise, and we four girls plied our mother with questions
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as to when Aunt Milly would arrive, which she stayed with us at welland
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and if not, where Aunt Milly is going to her own home. They
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are now preparing Deansfield, and in a month she hopes to be settled there.
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As children, we had always been warmly welcomed under our aunt's roof.
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But during the long years which had passed since our removal to Welland we had
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forgotten what Deansfield was like. We told our mother, so when she spoke
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of its beauty, you will soon have an opportunity of refreshing your memories.
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She answered, Listen to what your aunt writes, And she read from the
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letter. I hope my young nieces will be my guests as often as for
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as long a time as you can spare them. As Mildred is my namesake
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and god daughter, you must let her come as soon as possible after I
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reach home. Alice, Ellen and Miriam will forgive me this preference. Tell
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them with my love that I hope Aunt Milly's house will be a second home
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to them all. There was no feeling of envy because I received the first
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invitation. We sisters loved each other, and if one had a special pleasure,
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the rest rejoiced with her. There was no striving amongst us, and
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as I look back, I often feel how the sympathy which reigned amongst us
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increased our happiness. I own that I was nearly wild with delight at the
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prospect of leaving welland for a time I longed to take all my dear ones
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with me. But in that quiet spot, with its round of duties and
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pleasures, the days seemed so much alike that I was eager for a change.
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The time came to an end at last, and I started on my
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journey. Traveling was not so easy then as now, but I was able
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to go nearly the whole distance under the care of an old friend. Two
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miles from Deansfield, I changed my seat in the mail coach for one in
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my aunt's carriage, which was waiting for me. But I received my welcome
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before I reached the house. A tall, stately looking lady stood on the
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pavement as the coach drew up, and having seen her likeness, I recognized
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my aunt. I sprang forward, exclaiming you must be Aunt Milly. I
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am sure. What a beautiful hearty smile of welcome lighted her face as she
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answered, and you are my niece, Mildred Courser, my dear sister Ellen's
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child. I am so glad to see you. She kissed me tenderly,
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and then, bidding the footman see to my luggage, she led me to
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the carriage and we started for Deansfield end of Section one, Deanesfield and its
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owner. As we drove through the beautiful park and wide grounds, I was
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full of wonder that my aunt could have left such a lovely spot. For
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so many years I used to visit all the country gentry round welland but how
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modest all their homes seemed in comparison with Deansfield. And my aunt, with
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her tall, graceful figure and stately carriage, looked fit to be the mistress
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of such a home. We had not much talk that night. My Aunt
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asked questions about my parents and sisters, but beyond telling her of them and
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delivering the loving messages with which I was charged, there was little time for
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conversation. It was evening when I arrived, so Aunt Milly kindly insisted that
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I should go to bed early. I want you to be quite rested after
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your long journey, dear, she said, so as to be ready to
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make acquaintance with all the inns and outs of Deansfield. Indeed, Aunt I
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replied, I am not at all weary. It is very nice to travel
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when one leaves home, so seldom true, my child, at sixteen,
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we know little of weariness. But when you rise feeling fresh and looking bright
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in the morning, you will thank me for having given you a long night
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in bed. At a breakfast we had much pleasant talk. Aunt Milly seemed
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anxious to hear as much as possible about those I had left behind. Nothing
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was uninteresting that related to my home. To me, the subject was a
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very delightful one. I have said before that the members of our family realize
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the blessedness of dwelling together in unity. So it was very sweet for me
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to be led on to speak of all its branches and to picture our daily
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home life to my aunt. I have never yet seen welland Aunt Milly remarked,
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but I hope to do so. Your father and mother went there just
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before I left England. I shall want to be really amongst you all in
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your own home before I can know you properly. That cannot be just yet,
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so I must have the family piecemeal at Deansfield first. My aunt rose
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from the table as she spoke and added, I dare say you will like
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to go over the house and grounds first of all. I should like that
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better than anything, Aunt, If you will go, too, certainly,
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dear you and I will be companions for a time. At any rate.
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Soon we shall have more of our neighbors about us, for some have called
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already, and you will find acquaintances nearer your own age. I shall not
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care about them, Aunt, I could not enjoy being with them more than
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with you. Aunt Milly smiled and kissed my forehead. I shall be glad
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to have you, Mildred, but I am not so selfish as to expect
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that you should give yourself wholly to me. Now put on your hat,
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dear, and let us enjoy the fresh morning air. My aunt spent some
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time in showing me her lovely home and its surroundings. After rambling till we
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were tired, we sat down to rest, and I said, Oh,
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Aunt Milly, this place is a perfect paradise. What could any one desire
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that cannot be found at Deansfield? Once I should have said the same,
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Mildred replied my aunt. But for a long time past, deans Filled is
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the place I have least wished to see. You know why I lost my
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dear husband. And then, though so much was left me, I closed
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my eyes to the light and selfishly shut myself up with my great sorrow.
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But now, Mildred, I am able to look back and thank God for
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the past happy years. I have been awakened for my selfish dreams, to
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see that there is yet something left for me to do in the world,
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and that I have lost many an opportunity of comforting others during the years given
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up to nursing my own sorrow. I hardly knew what to say, except
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that we were all so glad at home to think of having Aunt Milly back
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in England again, and how we all hoped she would have many happy years.
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You must be my helper, Mildred. My desire is that we may
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together find a welcome not only in rich homes, but in those of the
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poor, whom I have neglected too long. I have been used to such
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work, Aunt, I said, as Papa is a clergyman, he has
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found us plenty of visiting. So I will either be your companion or messenger.
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Then Aunt Milly told me of plans she had formed for the good of
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those around her, and of her anxiety to consult my father, whose experience
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was so much greater than her own. I wanted him to come here at
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once, but that cannot be, it seems. I do hope that Christmas
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will bring not only him, but your mother and sisters to Deansfield. With
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the whole family gathered round my fireside, Mildred, I should feel as though
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I belonged to somebody. My father was always busy amongst his people at Christmas
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time, contriving comforts for the old and pleasures for the young, yet all
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the while while striving to link the present with that far past, when Jesus,
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a long promised Messiah, was first revealed in the flesh, expected as
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a king, given as a helpless babe, and cradled in a manger in
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Bethlehem. I told my aunt that I doubted whether my father could be spared
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well, and people would hardly think it could be a merry Christmas, scarcely
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a happy one if the vicar were away. Though to me, the prospect
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of seeing all the members of our dear family circle collected together at such a
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season in my aunt's beautiful home was the most delightful thing possible. It was
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only the beginning of October when I arrived at Deansfield, so there was plenty
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of time to plan, hope and prepare. More voices to sound in those
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noble rooms, more feet to awaken the echoes in the long corridors, more
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happy faces, run, hearth and table. Those were, to my mind,
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the only things needed to complete the charms of Deansfield. When I expressed
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my doubts as to whether Papa could come at Christmas, Aunt Milly would not
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hear me. They must come, Mildred, was her answer. They must
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teach me how to work and use my talents for God's glory. I have
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been so long out of the way, and I want a guide. Do
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you suppose your father's people would keep him away? Why he has spent the
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best years of his life in teaching them to be unselfish, nonsense child,
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His precepts and example cannot have been thrown away. Aunt Milly spoke and looked
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as though she should be quite certain to have her own way in the matter.
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And while I feared, I wish she might prove to be right.
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End of Section two, The best treasure. Long before Christmas came, Aunt
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Milly and I had become closely attached to each other. I had learned to
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love her second only to my parents, and her own words taught me how
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much she cared for me. I shall never part with you for long together,
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Mildred, if I can help it. Deansfield must always be your home,
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and I shall give you all the love that I believe every true woman
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has stored up in her heart, ready to be lavished on her children.
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I have had no children of my own to draw from that store, but
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you are making me pour out on you my long hidden treasure of affection.
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I could hardly for my eyes and my heart were full, but I am
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sure she did not need words to tell her how warmly my affection was given
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in return. Perhaps the fact that my aunt was still a young woman,
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only thirty six years of age and young hearted despite her past sorrow, drew
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us still more closely to each other. She never forgot her own girlish tastes
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and likings, and whilst often giving me wise advice, she was full of
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sympathy and consideration for me. She won my entire confidence, not so much
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by asking for it as by giving me her own. The days passed quickly
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we had, as Aunt Milly expected, plenty of visitors and invitations, and
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in the village too, we had become well known both to young and old.
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My aunt did not wait for Papa's coming before commencing her work for the
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good of the poor people round Deansfield, but she consulted him by letter and
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followed his advice as closely as possible. We were not quite sure he would
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be with us for Christmas until three days before, and then Aunt Milly,
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with a bright smile, gave me a letter to read, saying I was
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right. You will see, dear, you might have spared all your fears
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and misgivings. The letter was in my dear mother's hand, for Papa was
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far too busy to write, but it told that they, with the three
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girls, would be with us on Christmas Eve. Now I must tell you
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that during all the time of my stay at Deansfield, and I had been
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there nearly three months, I had never either seen or heard a word about
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Aunt Milly's diamonds. I often caught myself wondering that these costly jewels, so
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much talked of by others before I came, were not alluded to now by
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the owner. My aunt spoke of everything else, I thought, but not
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of these. Perhaps, after all, she had not kept them during those
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years of mourning. She would not care to wear such things. But still
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it would be strange for her to part with her husband's gift. My curiosity
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was set at rest on the morning of Christmas Eve, when all was ready
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for our expected dear ones, and there were only the few last hours to
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while away before their arrival. Come up into my room, Mildred, said,
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my aunt, when we are expecting very dear friends, the hours seem
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as long as days. I will show you some things that you have not
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yet seen. And looking at them will occupy a little while. I followed,
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saying, indeed, Aunt Milly, I do feel eager and restless.
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As long as there was anything to do in the way of getting ready,
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I could not move fast enough. But now everything is done well, Mildred,
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I am going to show you my diamonds. They have not seen the
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light for a long time, for they were left at the bankers when my
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husband and I went abroad, and there they remained until a few days ago,
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when I had them brought home. My aunt took out a key,
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the ring of which she slipped over a flower carved on one of the panels
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in her room. As she did so, a little iron plate flew back
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and showed a keyhole into which my Aunt put the key, and on turning
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it, what I had thought to be a wooden panel moved slowly out,
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and I found that it was the massive door of an iron safe. Inside
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were a number of cases, and taking them out one after another, she
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showed me their glittering contents. I was full of astonishment and delight at the
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beauty of the gems, and as Aunt Milly took them out and placed the
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bracelets on my wrists, the rings on my fingers, and the larger ornaments
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on neck and hair. I moved about to see their ever changing hues and
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that curious shimmering light which makes them seem almost alive. They are very beautiful,
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Mildred, said my aunt. And when sixteen years to day my husband
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gave them to me, I thought I should never be tired of looking at
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and wearing them. I wore them first on Christmas Day, and for seven
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Christmas days after that. Then for eight long years they lay hidden and unused.
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I almost forgot I possessed them, so absorbed was I with the thought
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of the treasure of love I had lost. Now I hope I have learned
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a better lesson. I believe my treasure is not lost, only laid up
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amongst my heavenly Father's jewels, to be restored to me again when the summons
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comes to call me from earth in my turn. Do you never mean to
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wear these again? Aunt, I asked, yes, dear, I intend
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to wear them tomorrow. I shall try to use all the good gifts that
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have been bestowed upon me in their season. And I thank God that he
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has made the world full of beautif things as well as of useful ones.
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Now I must lock up these jewels, Mildred, for earthly treasures are a
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temptation to thieves to break through and steal. What a happy thing that no
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one can rob us of our heavenly treasures. I do not know what possessed
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me to say, what are your heavenly treasures? Aunt Milly, my dear,
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I hope your heart can answer such a question as well as my voice.
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But I must not forget. You are young, and when I was
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a girl, I am afraid I thought more about possessing such things as these
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diamonds than I did about heavenly riches. Aunt Milly paused a moment, Then
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she turned her face to me, lighted up with such an expression as I
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had never seen there before, and said, I have a long list,
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Mildred, all bought for me at a vast cost. There is an inheritance
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incorruptible and undefiled, and that fateth not away a place in one of the
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many mansions, a welcome into the family of God, whose child I am
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through adoption in Christ. Yes, Mildred Deans filled is fair, but it
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will crumble and decay. These diamonds glitter, But I look for a crown
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of glory that fail tadeth not away, and a home in a city that
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bath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. I can dress here in
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costly clothing, but what is that to the robes washed, the raiment made
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white in the blood of the lamb. Then there are the beloved friends who
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are gone before, all kept safely in the same treasure house, my dear
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exclaimed Aunt Milly. If I were to go on speaking forever so long,
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how could I tell you? All? My earthly treasures were the purchasing gift
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of my dear husband, and I must leave them behind when I die.
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My heavenly ones were bought for me by the precious blood of Jesus, and
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will be mine for all eternity. Never while I live shall I forget my
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aunt's face and words. Never before had I understood so well as then the
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difference between earthly and heavenly things. My aunt, possessing all that earth,
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could give fair home, glittering gems, costly raiment, obedient servants ready to
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do her bidding, regarded and use them thankfully, yet counted them as but
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nothing in comparison with the enduring and heaheritance of God's children. Her words kept
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coming into my mind even after the arrival of my father, mother and sisters
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had given me something else to think of and to do. End of Section
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three More about Deansfield. While my aunt and mother were enjoying each other's society,
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I had the pleasure of taking my dear father up and down both park
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and village. The girls stayed indoors, but my father declared he was not
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tired. All he wanted after his long ride was the change which would be
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afforded by walking in the frosty December air. He had a bright word for
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everybody. To the grooms who were busy in the stables, he gave a
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pleasant greeting and said, when you are filling your mangers with hay, doesn't
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it put you in mind of the babe born as at this time whose first
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bed was in one. I can't say that I have thought of that,
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sir, but I shall do now, replied one, and wishing them a
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happy Christmas. We passed on. Old Maurice, the shepherd of the home
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farm, had his word. He was a sturdy, grizzled old fellow,
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and my father said, well, Maurice, haven't you wished you had been
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amongst those shepherds who heard first that angel chorus of glory to God in the
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highest and on earth, peace, good will towards men. Aye, sir,
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that I have, and I've thought to myself, if it had happened
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in this country, the angels wouldn't have found us in the fields at this
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time of year. They'd have had to come to us in the home pens.
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My father laughed, and on we went, he scattering kindly questions and
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good wishes, words for the little nurses who were tending the babies, words
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for the mothers who must strive to teach their young ones to know and heed
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the voice of the good shepherd. I think I never enjoyed a walk more.
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And as it was that most delightful of Christmas seasons, not only frosty,
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but with the moon rising to turn all the frail crystals into shining gems,
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our stroll home through the park was very lovely. We had no other
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guests that night, but we were to have quite a gathering of various ages
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on Christmas Day. My aunt had taken good care that there should be plenty
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in every home round Beansfield. There should not be festival in the hall and
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pinching want in the cottage. No thought of spiritual blessings scent at that season,
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disturbed by thoughts of earthly needs unsupplied. My sisters and I had a
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great deal to say to each other, and many questions were asked and answered
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by us, while the elders sat and talked at some distance from us in
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the great drawing room. During a little pause in our conversation, I heard
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my father say to Aunt Milly, will any of the Deans be here tomorrow?
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My aunt's face flushed as she answered, no, I have seen nothing
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of the Deans since my return to England. They have neither written to nor
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come near me. I am sorry for that, Milly, said my father.
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I did not like to name it in a letter, but somehow,
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knowing how your views were changed in so many things, I hoped that those
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old differences were now only like shadows of a nearly forgotten past. What could
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I do, Stephen, said my aunt. You know quite well that all
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the enmity was on the side of the Deans. You must remember that I
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did nothing to provoke it. The only fault they could bring against me was
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that I inherited what was never theirs, and what my husband had a right
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to dispose of as he chose. I did not hear my father's answer,
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But Aunt Milly spoke again in that earnest way, which proved how she felt.
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All she said, No, Stephen, believe me, I have not
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the smallest feeling of anger or revenge. How could I entertain bitter thoughts in
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my heart when I remember that as a disciple of Christ, my love towards
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my neighbor must not be in word, neither in tongue, but indeed and
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in truth. Then if one of Edmund Deane's children had come to Deansfield,
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you would have welcomed him, most certainly I would. Edmund himself is dead,
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you know, so there is no brother of my husband's left. Just
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then the servants came trooping in as usual to prayers, and the conversation was
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not resumed. But what I had heard set me thinking of things belonging to
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that far away pass that my father spoke of, and of the circumstances which
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made Aunt Milly's husband owner of Deansfield. He William Dean was the younger of
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two brothers. Their father had run through his inheritance and left his children almost
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beggars. There were both the two Edmund and William. William was adopted by
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his uncle, a successful merchant who had been winning great wealth while his brother
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had squandered his own. The merchant bought back the old home, rebuilt the
23:15
house, added to the estates, and passing over his elder nephew, left
23:21
everything except a few thousand pounds to William. Dean Aunt Milly's husband. Edmond,
23:26
disappointed and angry, said bitter things too, and of his brother as
23:30
well as of my aunt. So they parted, not kindly or in a
23:33
brotherly spirit, and met no more on earth. William died abroad, and
23:37
Aunt Milly inherited all his wealth. And now it seemed as though a wall
23:41
was built up between Deansfield and the much humbler home, where Edmond's widow strove
23:45
to make her little income suffice to bring up her three boys and educate them
23:49
to make their way in the world. As I thought about this wall of
23:53
ill feeling and division, I could not help hoping that my dear father would
23:57
somehow contrive to break it down. I had so often seen him in the
24:02
character of peacemaker that I could scarcely imagine his failing if he once took the
24:06
matter fairly in hand end of section four an earnest talk. I am not
24:15
going to tell all about our doings that happy Christmas tide. All I can
24:18
say is that I hope every one who listens to my story may spend this
24:22
Christmas as happily as we spent hours that year. Aunt Milly duly wore the
24:26
famous diamonds, and we girls as duly admired them and wondered at their beauty.
24:33
My mother made the remark that they must have cost a fortune, and
24:36
Aunt Milly said, yes, they did, and laughingly added they are to
24:40
be part of Mildred's She is my namesake and godchild. And years hence,
24:44
when your girls perhaps have children and homes of their own, Mildred will be
24:48
mistress here, and the youngsters will talk about another Aunt Milly and her diamonds.
24:52
My mother exclaimed, Hush, dear Milly, please do not put such
24:56
a thought into the girl's head. I should never like to think of Mildred
25:00
filling your place at Deanesfield, not while I live. Ellen. Of course,
25:03
now she is as a daughter to me. You can hardly think how
25:07
much happiness she has brought to a lonely woman. You must give Mildred to
25:11
me. She must be my child without ceasing to be yours. And if
25:15
she fills the position of daughter here, what would there be unnatural in her
25:18
stepping into my place? You are very good to her, Milly, said
25:22
my mother. But while I shall be only too glad for her to be
25:26
all you wish, neither her father nor I would like you to carry out
25:30
your present design. Stephen is not anxious that his children should have great wealth.
25:34
We have enough to provide for them in the station of life. They
25:37
are accustomed to a very happy state, as they all feel. Then would
25:41
you have me find some stranger to bestow my wealth upon Ellen? Certainly not
25:45
Milly. If you like, I will tell you what Stephen says you ought
25:48
to do with it. What Ellen? My aunt asked the question, But
25:52
I feel certain she knew what the answer would be. For that quick flush
25:56
rose to her cheek, and her manner was excited. You will not be
26:00
vexed at me, dear Milly, if I tell you Stephen says that Edmund
26:03
Deane's children are the only fitting heirs of Deansfield. He does not for an
26:07
instant deny your perfect right to dispose of the property which is your own,
26:11
as much as wealth can be by any human law. We neither of us
26:15
believe you will ever marry again. Therefore the responsibility of disposing of this wealth
26:19
rests upon you. But after all, dear, we are but stewards in
26:23
God's sight, and this wealth is one of the talents to be accounted for.
26:27
I am striving to use it rightly, Ellen, replied my aunt gently,
26:32
and I am thankful for advice and guidance. Yes, dear, and
26:36
while you hold it, I shall have no fear that it will not be
26:37
turned to good account. Yes, but I often fear for myself. I
26:42
feel that I have years of indolence and neglect to regret, all that long
26:47
time when I neither use the money nor gave it to those who needed it.
26:51
Still, if when I no longer want the wealth, I may not
26:53
leave it to the friends I really love, but to people I have only
26:56
known as enemies, my stewardship would be a burden. Indeed, I would
27:02
not say enemies Milly. Edmund Deane, being the elder brother, thought it
27:06
very hard when all the riches of his uncle, as well as the old
27:07
estates, went to your husband. He had no claim to anything, but
27:11
the disappointment must have been hard to bear. Think, Dear Milly, had
27:15
you been in his place, would you have said no sharp word, had
27:18
no envious feeling. It was a hard thing to bear. No doubt of
27:22
that, returned Aunt Milly frankly, and now resumed Mamma. The young deans
27:27
are growing up. The eldest, William, is about twenty. I believe
27:32
Stephen has heard a good deal about him from an old college friend, and
27:34
he says, what a fine young fellow he is, how hard he is
27:37
working, denying himself every indulgence that he may not be a burden to his
27:41
mother, and earning money by private teaching, even while a student himself.
27:47
I have told you all these things, Milly, because I want you to
27:48
think of them, and in this blessed season of peace and good will,
27:52
remember your husband's kindred, forget all past differences, love and forgive, even
27:57
as God for Christ's sake loves and pardons. The tears were in my dear
28:03
mother's eyes as she thus pleaded so eloquently, And as she ended, she
28:07
heard a quick sob and saw that Aunt Milly's eyes too were wet. Then,
28:11
after a short silence, my aunt said, Ellen, you have done
28:14
right to speak boldly and frankly. I will think over this conversation, and
28:18
I will pray to be guided aright. Then, with that little impetuous way
28:22
of hers, she drew her hand across her eyes and with a smile exclaimed,
28:26
say what you like. I will not go back from my resolution.
28:29
In one thing, no person but my niece, an adopted child, Mildred
28:33
Courser, shall ever own Aunt Milly's diamonds. My mother was contented with the
28:37
answer, and having been allowed to speak so freely to her sister about a
28:41
subject which she was at first half afraid to mention, she would not attempt
28:45
to combat this last sentence. This conversation took place in my aunt's room at
28:49
the close of that happy Christmas day, when the guests had departed and the
28:53
sisters were lingering over the fire as if unwilling to say the final good night.
29:00
During the rest of the time that my father and mother stayed at Deansfield,
29:03
no further mention was made of Edmund Deane's widow and children. End of
29:08
Section five. An unexpected visitor. It was a happy season to all of
29:15
us. At the end of three weeks my parents returned home a fortnight later.
29:21
The girls followed, laden with gifts and full of delightful memories of their
29:25
stay under my aunt's roof. They had the promise too, that when their
29:29
holidays should come round again, they might reckon on spending them, if not
29:33
at Deansfield, in some place of summer resort, with Aunt Milly and me.
29:37
A few more weeks passed, and for the first time since I came
29:41
to live with her, my aunt had some secret from me. She wrote
29:45
letters and received answers without telling me a word about the matter. In all
29:48
else, she was, if possible, more tender and kind than ever.
29:52
So I comforted myself with the thought that she was not displeased, and that
29:56
she had a perfect right to use her own judgment about t trusting a girl
30:00
like me. One morning, about a week before Easter, I was sitting
30:04
preparing an Italian lesson to read with my Aunt, who knew the language well,
30:08
when a gentleman was shown into the room. As raised my head.
30:12
I could not help thinking I had seen him before, but I could neither
30:17
remember when or where. He had scarcely time to speak when the servant came
30:21
back and said, please to step into the library, sir, missus,
30:25
Dean will be glad to see you there. It was no uncommon thing for
30:29
my aunt to receive such visits. Many a young man whose path in life
30:33
was made smoother through her kind help or effort, came with a full heart
30:37
to thank her. But nearly an hour passed, and still the visitor was
30:41
in the library with my aunt. My task was done, and I had
30:45
laid my books down and now stood looking out of the window at the trees
30:48
just beginning to break out into bud, and thinking to myself how lovely the
30:52
place would be in the green glory of spring. All at once came again
30:56
the memory of that visitor's face, and in a new idea flashed across my
31:00
mind. I ran out of the room and into the picture gallery, where
31:06
hung a very fine, full length portrait of Aunt Milly's husband, taken when
31:08
he was just of age. I saw the likeness at once. It might
31:14
have been that of the young man whose face had struck me some little while
31:17
before as so familiar. I stood for a few moments and then exclaimed aloud,
31:22
how like he is to the picture. He must be a dean.
31:25
You have guessed rightly Mildred, said Aunt Milly's voice, This is my dear
31:29
husband's nephew and namesake, William Dean. And this girl, William, who
31:33
recognized the sort of kinsman in you, is the child of my only sister.
31:37
She is my namesake too, and adopted daughter Mildred Coarser. In my
31:41
haste and anxiety to look at the portrait, I had not noticed Aunt Milly
31:45
and her companion, who were entering the gallery by a door which led to
31:48
it from the library. I was quite confused for a few moments, but
31:52
dear Aunt Milly soon made me feel at ease again. I shook hands with
31:56
William Deane and told him most heartily how glad I was to see him.
32:00
I knew what pleasure it would give my dear father and mother, for Mamma
32:04
had told me of her conversation with my aunt on Christmas night and what she
32:07
hoped might be the result of it. You know my secret, now,
32:10
said Aunt Milly. Or at least you can guess who was my mysterious correspondent.
32:15
Here he stands, Mildred. And now, to make amends for my
32:19
seeming want of trust, you shall write to your father and mother and tell
32:22
them that I have taken their advice. I hope for the future only peace
32:25
and good will may be known amongst Ustines. End of section six. A
32:32
pleasant ending. My task was a very pleasant one. I had to tell
32:37
my parents that Aunt Milly, acting on their advice, had made many inquiries
32:42
respecting her late husband's nephews, and that all she had heard confirmed my father's
32:46
account, especially of William, who everybody said was a kinsman to be proud
32:52
of. So then Aunt Milly had written to him, just in her own
32:55
brave, frank way, alluding to past differences between the all people, only
33:00
so far as was needful, and expressing her hope that they would agree with
33:04
her in forgetting them and beginning a new life of friendship. When my father
33:08
and mother heard this, they were delighted. Time will do the rest,
33:12
exclaimed Papa. All will work right now, and there will soon be no
33:16
question about the inheritance of Deansfield. Aunt Milly will find a son in William
33:21
Dean. And so in the end it proved, William's mother and brothers also
33:27
came to visit my aunt. The widowed mother had no longer to pinch and
33:30
contrive for the education of her children. For Aunt Milly did nothing by halves.
33:35
She had once made an ample provision for her sister in law and the
33:37
younger boys. But William, she said, I must look after myself.
33:43
He is so like what my dear husband was when I first knew him.
33:46
I think that year was one of the happiest I ever spent during my early
33:50
life. Every day that William Dean was with us, we saw more and
33:53
more of the truth and goodness of his character. By degrees, Aunt Milly
33:58
learned to consult and trust him, just as a mother does a beloved son.
34:01
How proud too, she was of his college honors. Indeed, I
34:05
doubt whether his own mother, who was of a very quiet, placid disposition,
34:08
thought as much of her son's well won place as did Aunt Milly.
34:13
One day during the long vacation, my Aunt said to him, William,
34:16
when will your birthday be? Did I never tell you? Aunt said he,
34:21
I am a Christmas child. I was born on the twenty fifth of
34:23
December, and you will be of age next Christmas. Yes, Aunt,
34:28
and I come into my whole inheritance at once. A pair of long legs
34:31
that can get over as much ground as most, a pair of strong hands
34:35
and a head which I have done my best to furnish. These are my
34:37
capital and stock to trade with, and I hope they will bring me a
34:40
fair return. Not to be despised, William. Good health, the good
34:45
education, and the will to use them in a right way are things to
34:49
thank God for with all one's heart. I feel that, dear Aunt,
34:52
And there is another blessing. I have to thank you for an easy mind.
34:57
You have removed the anxieties I used to have about my and the boys
35:00
by your generous kindness to them. My aunt put her hand to his lips
35:05
to hinder the further expression of thanks. Do not speak of that, William,
35:08
she replied. It reminds me that I might have saved you all these
35:12
years of suffering and anxiety if I had only thought less of myself and more
35:15
of others. Now about your birthday, our Christmas this year, please God,
35:22
will be a double festival. We shall gather all your people, William,
35:25
and all mine, and we will have our friends and neighbors, rich
35:29
and poor to rejoice with us. When Christmas Day did come, it was
35:32
such a one as I shall never forget. The old church at Deansfield was
35:37
full to overflowing, and there was one special prayer offered for him who that
35:40
day attained to man's estate, that the blessing of God would rest upon him,
35:45
that indeed he might be blessed and made a blessing to those amongst whom
35:49
he would, in course of time be called to dwell. Those who heard
35:52
that prayer guessed rightly that my Aunt Milly was asking the prayers of the congregation
35:58
for him who was after her to be the master of Deansfield. I believe
36:01
every lip and heart echoed the prayer. For all the people were learning to
36:06
know and love William Dean, and they rejoiced that one of the old stock
36:09
would be heir to Deansfield. My father and mother rejoiced with all their hearts.
36:15
They never desired the inheritance for their children, and when Aunt Milly took
36:19
the course, they always hoped she might be led to take. With regard
36:22
to her husband's relatives, they were greatly pleased. There was one thing which
36:25
excited my surprise, and that was their anxiety that my aunt should arrange all
36:30
her affairs and make William Deane's inheritance certain. I did not know that dear
36:35
Aunt Milly was even then suffering from a disease which left no hope of long
36:38
life, and that when she talked to me of her heavenly treasures, she
36:44
was expecting ere long to enter upon her eternal inheritance. I was only twenty
36:49
when Aunt Milly died, rejoicing in her sure and certain hope, her one
36:52
regret being for those who so tenderly loved and would so sadly mourn for her
36:58
and miss her. She left deanes Filled to William and left legacies to the
37:01
rest of his family, to my sisters and myself. In addition, she
37:06
gave me the famous diamonds, as she had always declared she would do,
37:09
But she made one condition that should I desire it, William Dean should pay
37:15
me the sum of ten thousand pounds instead of the most important ornaments. My
37:20
father had experienced some losses a little time before, of which she would not
37:23
let Aunt Milly know anything. But now I was glad that by leaving the
37:28
diamonds for the future mistress of Deansfield, I could far more than replace the
37:31
money. So I wrote and told William Dean that the article's name by my
37:35
aunt were fit for a lady holding a different position from that of a country
37:39
clergyman's daughter, and that I would only keep those which she expressly wished me
37:44
to retain. The money was duly paid to me, and in handing it
37:47
to my parents for their use, I was happier than I could have been
37:51
in possessing the most gorgeous jewels. The old lady, who had been listened
37:57
to with the greatest attention by the youngsters round her here, paused for a
38:00
moment, and the thoughtful looking lad raised his face and said, Grandmamma,
38:06
I think I can finish the story. She smiled gently and replied, go
38:09
on, will and if you are wrong, I will correct you. In
38:14
the first place, then you got your Aunt Milly's diamonds after all, and
38:16
you were and you are mistress of Deansfield manor Grandpapa's name is William Dean,
38:22
and I am called after him quite right, dear will A year after Aunt
38:27
Milly's death, William Deane brought me here as his wife and gave me back
38:30
my home in Aunt Milly's diamonds. I have had such a happy married life
38:35
as wives have who can honor their husbands and see in them disciples of the
38:37
Savior. We have been spared to see our children grow up and come in
38:42
their turn, bringing their boys and girls to keep Christmas at Deansfield. God
38:45
grant to us and all a happy one this year. But said a little
38:50
girl, were you not very glad and proud when you got the diamonds?
38:52
After all? I was glad, dear, but not so glad as I
38:57
should once have been, for I had in the meantime, I'm found a
39:00
more precious jewel. I wear Aunt Milly's diamonds still on Christmas Day, for
39:05
Grandpapa will have it so. But I have the better jewel always about me,
39:08
the pearl of great price, that means very much the same thing as
39:13
Aunt Milly's heavenly treasure. And now we must go and listen, for I
39:17
hear children's voices ringing through the air, and I catch the words of the
39:21
old Carol Hark. The herald angels sing glory to the new born King,
39:27
Peace on earth and mercy, mild, God and sinners reconciled. End of
39:32
section seven. End of Aunt Milly's Diamonds by Ruth Lamb