The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-01-16
PEMBNA PEMBINA COUNTY, DAHOTA,
BELLA'S LOVER.

BELLA'S LOVER,
FrotG ths Philadelphia Evening Call
"I1l seek her through the whole city
until I find her! What dear girl she
mtist bel" said Tom sleden, Is he took
from his vest pocket small parcel tied
with q blue ribbon, which l,a proceeded
to vnclose. There, within the folds of
soft tissue paper, lay one of the tiniest
ef 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! I swear it-or will die .
bachelor!"
Tom bsd spent the evening at . ball
given in an eld.fasl,ioned house belong
ifg TO one Of his friends. Az he passed
down from tic dressing room, through
9 long corridor, o small a,jecs lying on
tlie carpet under the gaslight attracted
his attention sisd he immediately made
il his own. It was stmy white glove,
thrown down there as though :i,e fair
owner had meant it as challenge to the
finder to scek ont its fellow. Tom took
it up with the most dclicate Of touches.
It was as soft as rose-leaf and s*ill re-
tanned the shape of the hand that had
worn it. He hid it in the bosom of his
vest, where sll tho evening it had lain
against his heart.
TONI proceeded to the dancing apart
ments, oil lighted up with gas jets snd
glittering with the sheen 6k astin and
diamonds. He stood for q moment
at the d6of; Eszing with admiration up
on the scene, but the glc~. within his
bosom like o sentient thing whispered
to him of its owner, and he entered the
rooms, not to partake of the amusement,
although he wss particularly fond of it,
but to stand and wsteh the dancers to
Discover if possible by syfhmstry Of
fofm @ & superior style of beauty tho
owner of his treastlrs trove: He went
from room to room, and evety dancef
passed before him, yet he saw none whd
could have worn that little glove. There
were but three ungloved ladies', and
theft hands could never have worn the
toy In his possAssio1.. Tom prosecuted
his search with ilntitinE vigilance until
the rooms we're empty, bdt without sue
cess, and the light of day was streakiBg
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; snd hoping to
find the name inscribed within it that
might guide him to the owner, he ae-'
tempted to turn part of the inside out
ward. when diamond ring rolled from
it and fell ttren the floor, where it lay
sparkling in ray Ct sunlight that found
its way through the white drspe1y Of
his window.
Ton was struck with CONSERVATION.
He lifted the ring from the floor and
placed il on tho 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 lie do7 The
glove SO dear to him was only q baga-
telle, but the possession of this costly
jewel was quite q different thing.
Should he advertise it? No! thou
sand times no! What sacrifice oil the
fair castles he had been building-sacri-
flee. the prospect Of obtaining precious
little wifd Under such glorious circum-
stances? He had not so much self de-
nial. He would wait for further de-
velopments. Tom Selden was q gdvr
erment official, and for the next month
his duties Galle5 him to Washington.
Tom was handsome y6ths fellow of
good address and q great favoritd 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, us it was for
another dancing party at the same ho,tse
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 may meet my fate tonight"
"How are you, old fellow cried Harry
Evelyn, as he graspcd Toms hand at
the door of the dancing room. II am
glad tn see you at home again. Do yo,,
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 a.
he spoke and led him across the room ia
lovely young girl scarcely more than a
child in years, Miss Isabella Tremaiue,
from Westmoreland, to whom he repro.
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 I am lost, Mr.. Sell
den" said Isabella, as she drew part OF
curtain before her, hiding herself in
its 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 a delightful summer together at
Long Branch. 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