The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-04-14

THE DOCTOR STROVE TO CALM HIM.
speaking the name slowly, as if he loved
the sound of it. The family lives in
Baltimore" he added after pause.
Take my advice, George, and try not
to brood over the matter There is
nothing so futile as regret" | said. ut
eats up ones courage to go ahead and
does nothing but mischief. Come, let
us take brisk walk on deck before we
turn in.
The fog was lifting aud stars were
giimmering family The ocean was be-
ginning to heave in long swells and
walking on the roller was not an easy
matter We soon gave it up.
In truth, | was not inclined to carry
the conversation further. Travelling
on the Continent the year before, l
had met the Masons, of Baltimore, and
had some acquaintance with them;
enough to know the character of the
people | had almost forgotten them,
but it all came back to me now-the
polnpous. purse proud father, the alnbi-
tious mother and the pale, listless, silent
daughter had no doubt that she was
pining for her young English sweet
heart She looked like it, but that did
not help matters any. At the time l
knew the family it was reported that
she was soon to marry French count
who was always with her, and by this
| time she was probably beyond the reach
of my young friend the doctor.
After that voyage did not see George
! Norwood for months The next time
! crossed the water circumstances COM
PEELED me to start suddenly, and missed
! my favorite steamer But | did come
home on her
In the hurry and confusion of getting
on board saw the doctor for an instant
ONLY. but when the ship was well out tc
sea and the hustle of sailing day was
over. went to the smoking room to fine
him. He was not there: neither was he
in his stateroom, and | sat down on the
deck alone. The spell of the sea haC
fast hold of me, and was lost in thought
when a hand fell softly on my shoulder
Come to my room, Vincent; | have
something to tell YOU" said the doctor.
followed him down the deck and be
low to his cabin When he closed hi
door and nervously snapped up the cleo
trio light saw that he was greatly agi
tated
Vincent. Mary is on board this ship,
he said.
is it possible?' | exclaimed | di'
not know what else to say.
Yes" he went on. "she and her fathe
! and her mother and maid are passen
gers, homeward bound. They have tn
two largest staterooms amidships. say
their names in the passenger list
The mechanical, hard way in which h
stated these details was startling.
Have YOU seen herr | asked.
No, | have not seen any OF them.
do not intend to- 1t is easy enough t
keep out of their way" he said, curtin
, his lip.
"Do they know you are here?'
, 'sProbably not. How should they
The name of the ships doctor Is nc
likely to interest them. | had to te
. YOU, that YOU might understand my al
! sence from the smoking room. Maso
will probably spend his time there an
;. | cannot meet him. You will alway
find me here, and if you see Mary l be
Won tell me if she looks we'll and happ,
Even to know that would be consol
g ton"
J; 1t was evident that the young girl w;
S Mary Mason still, which was poll
d gained for the doctor, | thought.
l The next morning | watched the fac
J, that gathered around the breakfast t
Q bic, but stiff January gale was bloN
,. ing and the roller was up to her wilde
! pranks. Only few hardened sea ira
y elers were out. | spent conslderao
% time with the doctor, but had no news
j. give him, and he was moody and sller
l. 1t was not until the third day ou
er when the storm had passed and the S
ID was calm, that | saw Mr.. Mason.
l. was sitting in the cabin He did n
It recognize me, and | did not speak
k him. but noticed how old and wo
le and weary he looked. 1t was not t
le WEAKNESS of seasickness, but more as
r some great anxiety was weighing heavl
er upon him. -,
Ell That evening was sitting with t
le doctor when a message came that
" was wanted in haste in the cabin.
10 went Immediately, and l followed III
[ shall never forget the scene. Th
- had brought Mary Mason from her sta
70 room and laid her on lounge, but
,g was feeble and the exertion was too mu