The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-03-26

humbly before me. I just raised my
eyes and glanced scornfully and incred-

humbly before me. just IdlScu iAS
eyes and glanced scornfully and 1ncred-
ulously at him.
He went angrily out. and did not re-
turn. Late at night note was brought
me. It was Philips last word OF regret
and farewell. He begged my forgiveness
for his SHAH of our mistaken life, and
for thy rest, he hoped would go back
to my brother Richard, to whom he had
written in my sshalf.
THAT was all. was really i'll now
fell from one long faint into another,
and, in the midst of my anguish, Pearl
came wailing into the world. For
long time was quite dependent on the
pity and charity OF my poor neishbors !:
and when at length was able to rise and
look the world in the face again, L
scarcely knew which way to turn.
, After many weary days I found q
position as under music teacher in 4
third-rate school. I only got bear pit
lance for six hours labor day, .ind lad
to give that up when little Phil. ard
Rosa took the scarlet fever
And they died?" asked.
Both died within twelve hours OF
each other. and even little Pearl was
long ill., In all those long hours, when
stood thinking and watching between two
worlds, you may be sure my sins Of
every kind were brought to my remem-
brance.
lone spring night 1 was taking Pearl
walk up Broadway, in order to let her
see the bright lights and gay shop win
dows. Suddenly a gentleman stepped
before me, and, laying his hand upon
my shoulder, cried out:
Margaret! Margaret
1T was my brother Richard. He had
come to New York Immediately on re-
! ceiving Philips last letter; but Philip
had either forgotten to put my address
in it or had supposed l would go to Bos-
ton at once He did not find me though
ne had looked long, and spent much
! money in seeking me. He had then re-
turned to Boston, sought me there, and,
falling also, had come back to New York.
well, l never again knew what it
was to have an unqualified want, or to
miss loving care for every hour. 1
hope, I believe, that 1 valued these
blessings now at their true worth.
Richard and spent many happy years
together, and for many OF them made
d every effort to trace my lost husband
so Pearl grew to womanhOOd and we
were happy. On her seventeenth birth
day we determined to have our pictures
painted, and a chance remark sent us to
Signer ROma's studio, where l also met
you. One day, just as we were leaving
the city, we called there to ask him to
| visit us during the summer. He was
! busy on historical painting, but as we
| entered, dismissed his model and put
| aside his brushes.
The model took his hat sadly up,
| bowed to Roma and advanced to the
.. door AS he passed us, he glanced at
| Pearl, and being detected, made move
| lnent Of apology and went on. 1t was
| cnough-I knew him. With rapid move
meat, placed myself before the door,
and stretching out my arms, cried out
| paSSiOnately
"'Philip! dear Philip, forgive mel"
| Roma, with delicate divination and
tact, withdrew Pearl to an inner paint
ing-room. and there, and so, we met and
! knew each other again"
| He had suffered also?"
"Who can tell how much? He had
| been in California; he had been rich and
| become poor; he had gained much and
| lost everything; he had been in captivity
| to Indians, and been shipwrecked; he
| had known the extremes Of poverty and
sickness. When l found him he was
earning q scanty living as a painter
| model
And now you are happy"
| Yes, indeed God has given me the
| opportunity l have been praying long
for. Yet, remember, because Of my
| foolishness l have begun to be happy
about twenty years too late"
! About Pearl2"
| "She knows ALL
! Are you pleased with her choice?"
Roma has given me back my. hus-
| band. 1 may well give him in return my
| daughter. I am content"
| I kissed her tenderly and went silently
home. Henceforth had higher thoughts
| about marriage than such as centered in
upholstery and millinery matters.