Upon the inside of the gold plate were traced, in almost illegible lines, the letters, "A.R."
"It was my child's!" he said, hoarsely; "where did you get it?"
Redbud, with a tremor which she could not restrain, told how she had purchased the necklace from a pedlar; she knew no more; did not know his name—but recollected that he was a German, from his accent.
The lawyer fell into his chair, and was silent: his strong frame from time to time trembled—his bosom heaved.
At last he raised his face, which seemed to have sunken away in the last few moments, and still holding the necklace tightly, motioned Redbud toward the door.
"We—will—speak further of this," he said, his voice charged with tears; and with a slow movement of his head up and down, he again desired Redbud to leave him.
She went out:—the last she saw was Mr. Rushton clasping the necklace to his lips, and sobbing bitterly,
In the outer room they laughed and jested gaily.