The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-03-13
A TWENTY DOLLAR GOLD
PIECE.
BY OLIVER BELL.
From the Sunny South,l


loupging before the library fire in
the stylish town house of his friend,
Major Leigh. He was just home
from a five years tour on the CONT
nent, for he was the fortunate possess
sor of half million, and half the
women in his circle were ready to
drop into his mouth like ripe cherries,
while the other half were vigorously
shaking the crimson fruit before his
indifferent eyes.
For something held him back, and
this very something was troubling
him as he leaned his handsome head
against the crimson cushions Of his
chair and gazed thoughtfully into the
glowing Goals. Night was just set
Ting down over the great city, the
wind howled around the corners of
the house, and bursts of sleet and
chilling rain beat against the damask
draped windows. And as the fire.
light danced over the costly furniture
he is wondering in dreamy sort of
a way if he shall ever love any wo-
man as he loved Lillian Berry. He
remembers distinctly her round, dim
pied face, shaded by hair Of a rich
dun gold--hair that fell about her
like a golden cloud, reminding him
OF the Scriptural words, "the glory of
women" Her father failed suddenly
and died ruined man, and from that
hour Lillian had been as one dead to
him, for her letters had ceased, and
after his return to New York he had
searched for her every where, but the
once popular Lillian Berry, whose
beauty and wealth had been the theme
Of every tongue was now utterly UNI
known in the fashionable world.
Belle Leigh his hosts handsome bru-
nette daughter, had fascinated him
with her innocent face and gentle
manners, and as he had fully given
up all hope of ever seeing Lillian Ber-
ny he was seriously meditating on the
possibility of her accepting or reject
ing him, for Belle was a thorough
coquette aud knew how to keep
her admirers on the tenterhooks of
doubt. A ring at the boor- bell startles
him.
rs Miss Leigh inT' enquiries a
clear, mellow voice, heard distinctly
above the tumult of the storm--a
voice which stirs every pulse in his
body. He rises to his feet and drops
into his chair again as the servant
admits shabbily dressed woman in
to the warm, lamp-lit hall, then goes
in search of his young mistress.
Tell her / must have some money
tonight" said the mellow voice, as
its owner sinks into chair opposite
the library door and with her back
toward Reuben, whose pulses thrill
as the voice awakens some answer
ing chord in the past. He had heard
that voice before, but where or when
he could not tell. He throws back
his head and listens, steadily watch
ing the silent figure before the hall
register. Her hat is concealed by a
brown veil, now wet and limp with
the winter rain, her shawl is limp
and faded, and her dress is Of the
poorest and coarsest material A feel
ing of pity stirs his generous heart
as he watches the detected figure,
and his fingers instinctively find their
way into his vest pocket in search of
twenty dollar gold piece he had
placed there that morning, but he
was surprised TO find it gone.
81 must have dropped it some
where" he said to himself as the SER
want returned saying: "Miss Leigh
says you must wait; she has not a
cent of money about her.
"Must wait Tell her have waited
month already" walled the mellow
voice, and the sharp profile of a
youthful face is revealed, as thin
hand dashes the brown veil aside.
II must have the money for my
sewing. am half starved, my
mother is dying, and l will not
leave the house until get some
money"
The servant turned away and Har
rington, half ashamed of his position
as eavesdropper, yet powerless to
move, sat as ifspellbound. Miss Leigh
was certainly careless. for he could
not think it was any other feeling that
kept the poor sewing girl out of her
wages.
Suddenly the quiet figure in the
hall arose and picked up some
thing shining from the crimson wool
of Persian rug before the register.
"a twenty dollar gold piece" be
heard her say softly, and he knew it
was his own, "and they say she has
no money"
She held her hand up to the light
and he noticed the transparent white
ness of the slender wrist. a
"Shall keep it?' was uttered in q
low, bitter voice. Heaven knows /
need it. God would surely hold me
guiltless if l kept this money. All,
once i had love and warmth and gold
pieces in plenty" A deep sigh
was waited to Harrington's ear, as
the speaker stood with her head bow
ed over the precious money. He
fancied he could see her waver, yet
he little knew what struggle was
going Oh in that young girls breast.
How the miserable mother lying on