The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-05-08
h. BELLA'S LOVER.
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From the Philadelphia Evening Call.

lAuoo 10: Salu 4OW OAeueu, as lie look
from his vest pocket small parcel tied
with blue ribbon, which he proceeded
to vnclose. 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
lips. eyes" he continued, "the owner
of this glove, if she be heart free, shall
be my wife! Iswear it-or I will die a
bachelor!"
Tom had spent the evening at ball
given in an old-fashioned house belong
ing to one of his friends. As he passed
down from the dressing room, through
long corridor, 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 down there as though the fair
owner had meant it as challenge to the
finder to seek out its fellow. Tom took
it up with the most delicate of touches.
It was as soft as a rose-leaf and still re-
tanned the shape of the hand that had
worn it. He hid it in 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 sentient thing whispered
to him of it's 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 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 that 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
cess, and the light Of day was streaking
the horizon as he returned home, pom
dering as he went over 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 turn part of heinside out
ward, when 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 consternation
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 of the
rainbow What should he do? The
glove SO dear to him was only baga-
tclle, but the possession of this costly
jewel was quite different thing.
Should he advertise it? No! thou
sand times no! What! sacrifice all the
fair castles he had been building -sacri-
fee the prospect of obtaining precious
little wife under such glorious circum-
stances? He had not so much self de-
NAL He would wait for further de-
velopments. Tom Selden was gov
erment official, and for the next month
his duties called him to Washington
Tom was 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 of these
was for that very night, and he deter
mined to accept it at once, as it was for
another dancing party at the same house
where he had found his precions glove.
He felt oppressed with thoughts of the
jewel in his hands, and where would
he be likely to hear if anything had
transpired concerning it during his alb
sence as there?
Tom made his toilet with great care
that evening. He was long time about
it, too, for he thought, as he once more
caressed the tiny glove and placed it
again in his bosom, "Who can tell but
that I may meet my fate tonight y
GLOW are you, old fellow cried Harry
Evelyn, as he grasped Toms hand at
the door of the dancing room. II am
glad tn see you at home again. oyo11
know you are losing your prestige with
all the young ladies of our town? They
say you did not dance at all at our last
party, but played the part of locker on
throughout the evening. You will not
escape me tonight, though"
He drew Toms arm within his own as
he spoke and led him across the room to
lovely young girl scarcely more than a
child in years, Miss Isabella Tremaiue
from Westmoreland, to whom he repre-
sented Tom as partner.
Although Toms thoughts were SO
engrossed with his ideal love that other
ladies had no charm for him, this little
girl won him even from his chimera.
Was it the familiar scent of the roses of
her breast knot lingering about her
that so fascinated him? Or was it the
diminutive little hand, sparkling with
jewels, SO warm and soft, that fingered
in his as he led her to seat in an al
cove after the waltz was over.
Mamma thinks [ am lost, Mr.. Sell
den," said Isabella, as she drew part of
curtain before her, hiding herself in
it's folds. "See how she is scanning
every face to find mine?"
She pointed toward lady who was
approaching them.
"Your mamma, did you say? Why
she is an old acquaintance of mine; we
pent delightful summer together at
Long Branch. I hope she still remem-
bers me-"
Tom went forward to meet the lady,
when cordial grasp of the hand showed
that their friendship was not forgotten
on her part. :"
"You are a good for nothing little
girl. Bell" Mrs. Tremaine said, as she
tapped her daughter on the shoulder
with her fan. "You have been running
away from me all the evening! Sit
down, Mr.. Seldep; surely the sofa is
large enough for three, and I want to
chat with you awhile. Bella, where are
your gloves? Why do you take them
from your hands?"
Because [ do not like to make pris-
oners of my hands. See the red marks
the tight things have made upon them
already" and she held them up for in
spection.
Tom thought as he looked at the dim
pied white hands that he would like
very much to kiss them and smooth