McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-05-01
BELLA's LOVER.

'I'll seek her through the whole city
until l find her! " hat dear girl she
must be-" said Tom Sleden, as he took
from his vest pocket small parcel tied
with blue ribbon, which he proceed
ed to unloose. 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! 1 swear it-or
i will die bachelori"
Tom had spent the evening at a ball
given in an old-fashioned house be-
longing to one of his friends. As he
passed down from the dressing-room,
through a long corridor, small object
lying on the carpet, under the gaslight
attracted his attention and he immedi-
ately made it his own. 1t was the tiny
white glove, thrown down there as
though the owner had meant it as
challenge to the finder to seek out its
fellow. Tom took it up with the most
delicate of touches. 1t was soft as a
rose-leaf and still retained the shape of
the hand that had worn it. He hid 1t
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 moment at
the door, gazing with admiration upon
the scene, but the glove within his
bosom, like sentient thing, whispered
to him of its owner, and he entered
the rooms, not to partake of the
amusement, although he was particu-
larly 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
that little glove. There were but three
ungloved ladies, and their hands could
never have worn the toy in his posses
sion. Tom prosecuted his search with
untiring vigilance until the rooms were
empty, but without success, and the
light of day was streaking the horizon
as he returned home, bordering as he
went over a fascinating picture his
fancy was painting of his beautiful I'M
known.
AS soon as Tom awoke the next
morning, his thoughts again took up
the subject of the lost glove, and hop
ing to find a name inscribed within it
that might guide him to the owner, he
attempted to turn part. of the inside
outward, 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 dra-
perry 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 of the
rainbow. What should he do? The
glove so dear to him was only baga-
telle, but the possession of this costly
jewel was quite a different thing.
Should he advertise it?'' No! thou
sand times MOI WHAT sacrifice all the
fair castles he had been building -sacri-
flee the prospect of obtaining a precious
little wife under such glorious circum-
stances? He had not so much self
denial. He would wait for further de-
velopments.
Tom Selden was government Off
cial, and for the next month his du-
ties called him to Washington. Tom
was handsome young fellow of good
address, and great favorite with the
ladies. When he returned to Maiden
he found his card-receiver filled with
pretty scented notes of invitation to va
rious entertainments. One of these was
for that very night, and he determined
to accept it at once, as it was for an
other dancing party at the same house
where he had found his precious glove.
He felt oppressed with thoughts of the
jewel in his hands, and where would
he be as likely to hear if anything had
TRANSFERRED concerning it during his alb
sence asthereP
Tom made his toilet with great car e
that evening. He was long time
about it too, for he thought, as be once
more caressed the tiny glove and
placed it again in his bosom. "Who
CaH IeIl puG tnat may meeC my Idle
to-night?'
elbow are you old fellowP" cried
Harry Evelyn, as he grasped Toms
hand at the door of the dancing room.
'sI am glad to see you at home again.
Do you know you are loosing your
prestige with all the young ladies of
our town? They say you did not dance
at our last party, but played the part
of looker-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 a lovely young girl scarcely
more than a child in years, Miss Isa-
belle Tremaine, from Westmoreland,
to whom he presented Tom as Q part
Ger.