The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-03-12
ISELMERE.
OR;
THE MYSTERY OF NIGHTINGALE
BOWER.

The MYSTERY OF NlGHIlNGALE ,
BOWER.
Written for the GOLD LEAF.l
BY S. JESSIE wII.BER.
CHAPTER VIII.
NINA vIvIENNE.
Nina stood on the little porch at
Wild Rose Cottage, with its trailing
roses mixed with some running vine.
She looked very sweet and girlish
standing there clad in clinging robe
of some soft, creamy material. She
had gathered one Of the fragrant roses
which grew near and held it carelessly
in her hand, and her eyes were turned
away to where
A crystal lake with its silvery sheen,
Thro' the trembling trees was dimly seen {.
But she turned at the sound of firm,
manly, footstep, and held out her
hand in cordial greeting as Ronald
came up the steps. They took seat
on a rustic bench, there in the moon
light, and Ronald ran his fingers
through the damp, clustering curls
which crowned his broad, white brow
and the wind rippled through them at
will. He glanced at his companion
and could but admire her. "But she
is not so beautiful" he thought Gas
Ivey, my lonely, unhappy Ivey."
"Did you come through the mead
ow?" Nina inquired by way of open
ing the conversation.
eyes, l came that way, as it was
nearer" Ronald replied, wishing that
she would volunteer the information
he was so anxious for and finally
thought he could stand it no longer
and said as carelessly as he could:
81 am very glad, Miss Nina, that
you escaped this evening, without bod
lily harm, and | hope that you enjoyed
your visit"
A peculiar expression crossed the
girls face as she answered, ssOh, yes
Pm all right, but what are those
twinkling lights, there, among the
trees, Mr.. Thurston?'
Ronald gazed at her in amazement.
She evidently wanted to change the
subject, but z0Ay, Ronald could not
even imagine. Had those peope hyp-
rotized her? Did she imagine she saw
ghost? What could it mean? Ron
aid was almost distracted and moresat
sea" than ever. Presently Nina in
vited him in the little parlor and he
noticed that she looked pale. He
asked her to sing, but the sad notes
of "'rhe Sweetest Story Ever Told"
could not Danish the tantalizing mys-
terry from his mind. His clear, tenor
voice mingled with hers in duet, still
Ivey's troubled face and sweet, shad-
owy eyes haunted him. 1t was great
relief when the clock on the mantle,
chimed the hour Of ten and he could
get away and think, think. What
could have happened at that awful
place, to cause this high spirited girl to
tremble and grow pale at the bare
mention Oft? 81 believe | will 60 to
Iselmere this very night and see if l
can solve this mystery" And quick
ening his footsteps he soon reached
the edge of the grounds and entered
through one of the tumble down
side gates. Brave man though
he was, he could, with difficulty repress
a shudder as he approached the house.
The moon, which had shone so bright
ly early in the night was now obscured
by black clouds and a deep peal of
thunder and vivid flash of lightning
announced the approach of storm.
Far too wrought up we're Ronald's
nerves uow to turn back and he reso-
lutely pursued his way through the
trees, on by the ruined wing round
the house and his heart stood still for
an instant as he reached the western
wing and the sound of a piteous moan
was borne to his ears. 1t came from
the room above him and holding to
the stout vines which clung to the wall
he climed cautiously to the window
and looked in. The sight which there
met his gaze made his brain reel and
he almost fell to the ground, SO great
was his rage and indignation.
CHAPTER TX.