"Well, Mildred, I am going to show you my diamonds. They have not seen the light for a long time, for they were left at the banker's when my husband and I went abroad; and there they remained until a few days ago, when I had them brought home." My aunt took out a key, the ring of which she slipped over a flower carved on one of the panels in her room. As she did so a little iron plate flew back, and showed a keyhole, into which my aunt put the key, and on turning it, what I had thought to be a wooden panel moved slowly out, and I found that it was the massive door of an iron safe. Inside were a number of cases; and, taking them out, one after another, she showed me their glittering contents. I was full of astonishment and delight at the beauty of the gems; and, as Aunt Milly took them out and placed the bracelets on my wrists, the rings on my fingers, and the larger ornaments on neck and hair, I moved about to see their ever-changing hues, and that curious shimmering light which makes them seem almost alive. "They are very beautiful, Mildred," said my aunt; "and when, sixteen years to-day, my husband gave them to me, I thought I should never be tired of looking at and wearing them. I wore them first on Christmas Day, and for seven Christmas Days after that. Then for eight long years they lay hidden and unused. I almost forgot I possessed them, so absorbed was I with the thought of the treasure of love I had lost. Now, I hope I have learned a better lesson. I believe my treasure is not lost, only laid up amongst my heavenly Father's jewels, to be restored to me again when the summons comes to call me from earth in my turn." "Do you never mean to wear these again, aunt?" I asked. "Yes, dear. I intend to wear them to-morrow. I shall try to use all the good gifts that have been bestowed upon me in their season; and I thank God that He has made the world full of beautiful things as well as of useful ones. Now I must lock up these jewels, Mildred, for earthly treasures are a temptation to thieves to break through and steal. What a happy thing that no one can rob us of our heavenly treasures!" I do not know what possessed me to say, "What are your heavenly treasures, Aunt Milly?" "My dear, I hope your heart can answer such a question as well as my voice. But I must not forget—you are young; and when I was a girl, I am afraid, I thought more about possessing such things as these diamonds than I did about heavenly riches." Aunt Milly paused a moment, then she turned her face to me, lighted up with such an expression as I had never seen there before, and said: