The Mineral argus., 1884-05-15
BELLA'S LOVER.
the PHILADELPHIA Evening Call

r,ust bel" said Tom Sleden, as he took
from his vest pocket a small parcel tied
With 9 blue ribbon, which he proceeded
70 v~nclose. There, within the folds Of
soft tissue paper, lay one of the tiniest
Of embroidered gloves, redolent of the
scent of roses, which he pressed to his
Iips. Eyes" he continued, "the owner
of this glove, if she be heart free, shall
he nv wifel 1 swear it-or L will die a
bachelor"
Tom haG spent the evening at a ball
given in an old-fashiOned house belong
inc TO one of his friends. As he passed
down from the dressing room, through
q long corridor. a small object lying on
the carpet under the gaslight attracted
his attention and he Immediately made
it his own. It was the tiny white glove,
thrown dawn there as though the fair
owner had meant it as achallenge to the
finder to seek out its fellow. Tom took
II nm with the most delicate of touches.
1t was as soft as a rose-leaf and still re-
tanned the shape of the hand that had
worn it. He hid it i'll the bosom of his
vest. where all the evening it had lain
against his heart.
Tom proceeded to the dancing apart
ments, all lighted up with gas Jets and
glittering with the sheen of satin and
diamonds. He stood for a moment
at the door, gazing with admiration up
on the scene, but the glove within his
bosom like a sentient thing whispered
to him of its owner, and he entered the
rooms, not to partake of the amusement,
although he was particularly fond of it,
but to stand and watch the dancers to
discover If possible by a symmetry OF
form or a superior style of beauty the
owner of his treasure trove. He went
from room to room, and every dancer
passed before him, yet he saw none who
could have worn hat little glove. There
were but three ungloved ladies, and
their hands could never have worn the
toy in his possession. Tom prosecuted
his search with untiring vigilance until
the rooms were empty, but without sue
NNnos anu LHG llBnb VI uhN WAS SlEedhlu3
the horizon as he returned home, bon
dering as he went over a fascinating
picture his fancy was painting of his
beautiful unknown.
As soon as Tom awoke the next morn
ing, his thoughts again took up the
subject of the lost glove, and hoping to
find the name inscribed within it that
might guide him to the owner, he at
tempted to urn a part of the inside out
ward, when a diamond ring rolled from
it and fell upon the floor, where it lay
sparkling in a ray of sunlight that found
its way through the white drapery of
his window.
Tom was struck with CONSERVATION.
He lifted the ring from the floor and
placed it on the tip of his little finger,
where it seemed to nestle as it sent out
brilliant flashes of all the colors ofthe
rainbow. What should he do? The
glove so dear to him was only a baga-
telle, but the possession of this costly
jewel was quite a different thing.
Should he advertise it? mol a thou
sand times no! What! sacrifice all the
castles he had been building-sacri-
fee the prospect of obtaining aprecious
little wife under such glorious circum-
He had not so much self de-
NAL. He would wait for further de-
velopments. Tom Selden was a gov
official, and for the next month
his duties called him to Washington.
Tom wa a handsome young fellow of
good address and a great favorite with
the ladies. When he returned to NAL
den he found his card-receiver filled
with pretty scented notes Of invitation
to various entertainments. One ofthese
was for that very night, and he deter
mined to accept it at once, as it was for {
dancing party at the same house
where he had found his precions glove.
He felt oppressed with thoughts of the 5
jewel in his hands, and where would {
he be likely to hear if anything had {
transpired concerning it during his alb I
sence as there? {
Tom made his toilet with great care
that evening. He was a long time about {
too, for he thought, as he once more t
caressed the tiny glove and placed it !
again in his bosom, "Who can tell but
that l may meet my fate tonight" ]
"How are you, old fellow ? cried Harry 6
as he grasped Toms hand at {
door of the dancing room. II am t
glad tn see you at home again. Do you
know You are losing your prestige with l
all the young ladies of our town? They '
say you did not dance at all at our last !
party, but played the part of ~looker-on
throughout the evening. You will not l
escape me tonight, though" t
He drew Toms arm within his W as
he SDOka and 1ad him across tho NOM tO (