The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-12-25

taper fingers In mine as we guueO In
swift circles over its cold bosom. As I
have said, Tom was always with Us on
these jaunts; but we were partie car
rec and mindful Of the philosophy as to
what constitutes company" and what .
"crowd."
Anna Bolton was ever Toms compan-
ion. A quiet, fair haired, sensitive
mouse Of a blonde, she was the direct
antipode in all thiak q S<1 sworn ally,
Bette, under whose fostering protection
she would nestle confdingly as though
no harm could reach her there.
She was sole heiress and sole compan-
ion at her splendid residence, Shady
nook" of a very deaf but Argus eyed
grandaunt. minated herself for the
full allotment of the human span, the
senior Miss Bolton had small confidence
in the taste or honor of the sterner sex.
She jealousy watched the every move
ment Of her niece, religiously believing
that each man who set his eye upon her
fragile form used it but as medium
through which to cast unholy chances at
the estate ten miles back of Pike
ton-whose exponent she was. But the
home Of the spinster had no great charms
for her heiress unless frightened by the
presence of her stronger friend and ally;
80, when Bette could not be spared
from her household gods, it was great
comfort to quiet little Anna to sit under
these also, and to stay there meekly so
long as Bette could alternately cajole or
coerce the deaf spinster into permitting.
But that ancient and unwinking Cerbe-
rus had carefully reconnoitered the sur
roundings of the mayoralty. She had
long since concluded that l was the
property of the lady Of the house, and
Tom, being only piece Of live furni-
ture, like the cat, was not to be counted.
So little Annals last visit had been al
lowed to run into months. She could
skate well, for all her fragiiity, and her
taste and touch in music were both deli
cate but decided. So, after all, we made
her useful, though felt colnpunctious
twinges when reflected how heavy on
hand she must be to poor Tom; for, be-
sides all other reasons, it was IN under
stood thing among US that Miss Bolton
was engaged. If not formally contract
ed to him she was SO far committed to q
certain Mr. Goodwin as to make that
consummation q mere matter of time.
Not a very enticing person was Mr..
Goodwin, 60 in years and money grub
in nature, but-as tho senior Miss Bel
ton was wont to say grimly-if not q
brilliant man, he was at least safe one.
Twenty thousand a year was his allot-
ment of this worlds goods, and the very
soul of the spinster swelled within her
when she reflected what that would do
for "Shadynook."
Yielding in all things, the white
mouse appeared to accept her fate in this
with perfect composure, but she shrunk
with peculiar sensitiveness from any al
fusion to it by one of us. So, of course,
none was ever made; but land I was
| sure Tom as well-looked upon her as
one of the least interesting of the vic
tins to the Moloch of convenience.
Hence fully appreciated the unselfsh
friendship that caused him to become a
martyr to her stupidity, that might be
| left tete-a-tete with his glorious cousin.
| One night when our bachelor pipes-o1
punch-had been stronger than usual
said words to that effect. Toms rejoin.
der was characteristic. He thrust his
| tongue into his cheek, shut one eye very
i slowly, and nicking my glass with his
said, Heres good luck, and bad cess
| to old Goldwin!"
Verify, we need never leave our OWL
circle for evidences Of the mysteries Of
Natures complex mechanism, and what
very odd errors we make in our estimate
of them sometimes!
| Atkength it's heiress had been impera
lively called back to "Shadynook. The
minated Argus would have her return
for its Xmas dismalness, and when thai
spinster foot was once put down there
it stayed. Exacting the promise of 6
speedy visit from Bette, before Xmas il
possible, and INDUCING in many mys
ferrous whispers and perfect fusillade
| of kisses that set me on pins and needles
of envy, the white-mousey one wept her
self into her sleigh and faded out int<
the snowy avenue.
| Tom and /, as members of Bettie's
personal staff, had, of course, been in
cluded in the invitation to "Shady
nook" but no time was decided in ou1
council, and weeks rolled by with ne
definite plans about it. Happy week.
they were to me-full of sunshine, will
only such fecks Of shadow as made me-
enjoy the more. basked in the smile.
of the only woman I had ever really
cared for, and, whether they were al
for me or not, / was namely happy,
For there's nothing half SO sweet In life
| As Loves young dream.