The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-12-25
found myself in the parlOr.

The lights were out, but the fire still
tlazed up brightly in the ample CRATE
By its light | saw the misty outline of q
white figure thrown full length upon the
sofa. From the wavy outlines and the
soft feecy effect of the subdued light it
might have been an Undine, or some I'M
substantial sprite.
Hooked closely; it was only the White
Mouse. Her face was buried in the
cushion she clasped in her arms, and the
fragile figure was swaying and racked
with heavy sobs. The wavy masses Of
fair hair had fallen loose upon her Shout
ders. and the sleeve carelessly drawn
back, displayed All arm that matched
Bette Blythe's for roundness and SYM
metry.
as the iitful freight rose and fell,
seeming to dilate and contract the con-
tours of the delicate figure, | wondered
why | never had noticed before how
graceful and willowy it was.
She did not hear my abrupt entrance
Her sorrow had full possession of her,
and She sobbcd as if her heart would
break. What the matter was | knew
not. 1t might have been 4 tiff with the
Ancient Griffin. the death of pet poodle
or the trouble about her auriferous
alfilnced.
At all events, she had my perfect sym
pathy. She was miserable, and was not
likewise: Poor child. Every sob went
straight to my heart; | really never be-
fore believed | could feel SO kindly dis
posed toward her. But felt my presence
was IN intrusion. l thought she did not
Bee Inc, and | started out. Just then a
heavier sob than ever seemed to rend the
poor child, and a shiver ran through her
from head to foot.
1t was too much; the softness of my
heart conquered. l could not 90 with
out one word to tell her how pitied her
grief
In the tenderest manner I took her
hand; III the gentlest tone l said: 'sDO
not be unhappy; do not weep 500
She started up with stifled cry. On
seeing me vivid flush passed over her
brow and neck, and she quickly with
drew her hand. Then the color fell out
OF her cheeks, leaving thom deadlier
white than ever, and she dropped her
face into her hands as she murmured:
'Oh, you here! You to see mer'
l didn't understand the emphasis on
the 2ronoun, but only answered.:
do not send me away before | tell you
1t was accident brought me here and
sympathy detained me- You seem very
Size glanced shyly at me from under
the swollen lids.
Il WAS little while ago. But don't
feei SO now" she whispered.
The seuce! Here was an odd return
for my sympathetic interference. 1!
rather liked it, however, for seemed to
DO the poor child good, and l felt SO
Wretched and alone in the world.
But, oh! what must you think Of
me- she cried suddenly, and again the
face went into the hands and again the
bushes mounted up to the eartips.
Il think-1-that isl am very, very
sorry to see you suffer" l answered,
incOnsequently.
But to think you of all people But
you will never tell him?'
Why |, 'of all people," couldn't con-
ceive, but it was very safe to promise
about him, as had never set eyes on
The grief producing Goodwin. Therefore
| answered honestly:
On my word, never!"
But then you know all. Oh, how
forward, how unmaidenly, how bold
you must think mel"
What in the deuce the girl meant why
should think her bold for not wanting
70 marry her grandfather I could not
So l only shook my head
sasely. In medic tutissimus ibis.
But then this never has seemed like
nome, she went on. "Auntie tries to
De very good, but she doesn't know
now. And then young girl may have
terlym |
What" l gasped, surprised out of |
pfopr1e' THE devil you do" 1t was /
very improper; but then to think of her /,
ICING sold to man of 60, and then ''lov- /
ing SO utterly!" Wonderful creatures are i
women Ny abruptness made her recoil, [
0ut 1t was only for moment.
Then you won't think me immodest |.
l could not bear it. You, /.
u All people in the worldr'
.here 1t was again. Why in the deuce
llo she care for my opinion SO much if /
me loved Goodwin 80 utterlyY' /
,,oOhwomanly! neverw I said vaguely. !
20, thank youl thank your She was {
ihning to get excited again. II felt }
you would understand; you have seen |
.no,e OF me than any one else; you can
MAKE allowance for young girls feel
oVerstepping the bounds of prudish- i
rose and walked to the mantel. I i
vesan to believe that the stone sphinx
'nat upheld it had turned suddenly soft |
aao blonde and crept into the form OF |
sae White Mouse. She was ely talk
Ing in riddles of the deepest,
ing me to the hearth, "tns p lose moth