The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-03-05
ISELMERE.
OR;
THE MYSTERY OF NIGHTINGALE'S
BOWER.
Written for the GOLD LEAF.I
BY S. JESSIE WILDER.

BOWER.
Written for the GOLD LEAFl
BY S. JESSIE wILBER.
CHAPTER V.
AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
Rising early Ronald strolled down
the sweet scented avenue, leaving
/ Aunt Jane to her reflection. Modest
violets raised their gentle face while
the sun kissed last nights dew away;
daisies and ferns nodded to the spor-
tive little breeze, as it conquet,ed
among them; while further down the
hedges we're gay with woodbine. Our
hero, usually passionate admirer of
nature in any mood, appeared not to
notice his surroundings; he seemed
engrossed in thought.
"Ah! it must be mans nature" he
was thinking; 'to long fer what we
may not have. Put thing beyond our
reach, and that thing of all others
we most desire. Why do think OF
this girl, this beautiful Ivey, Sc
much? There are others, equally pure,
good, and lovely to whom never give
a thought; but she is beyond my reach,
and for that reason of more interest
than all the world, very load star,
as it were.'
Thus philosopnizing, he walked on,
far down in the deep shaded forest.
He would not admit, even to himself,
that he loved this girl to whom he had
never spoken, but on the previous
night,
At the nightingales bower,
Perched near the maiden fair,
! Cupid shot an arrow through the heart
OF flower,
And it landed--he knew where.
But if the naughty tyrant had heen
practicing his art at his expense, he
was as yet in ignorance of the fact,
and walked on thinking deeply. Pres
emily he found himself in the woods of
Iselmere; near tiny, rippling stream,
which wimpled and dimpled its peace
ful way, through the trees near the
nightingale bower. Following the
course of the meadow brook he reached
the elm and paused, tracing a delicate
footprint in the soft soil. He smiled
with delight as he spied tiny bunch
of sweet violets, crushed and faded
Picking them up he carefully placed
them in his pocket and looked up to en-
counter the earnest gaze of-Ivey Isel-
mere. For an instant he felt confused; !;
he did not dream Of seeing her here,
only by moonlight, to listen to the
nightingale's song. But he flushed
with pleasure, Notwithstanding, and
determined to make the most of this
chance meeting which fate had granted
him. Ivey after one hurried glance of
surprise tried to run away, but he de-
tanned her, chatting easily and natur-
ally on different subjects. Gradually
her shyEess left her and she melted his
genial good humor and as every one
did, remaining with him almost against
her will.
| "Oh! l must go!" she exclaimed at
length, "Mrs. Craven will be looking
for me-" Ronald looked at her won
dering who "Mrs. Craven" was but
thought it best to curb his curiosity for
the present. Ivey, flushed and nerv-
ously clasped her hand, as he prepared
to accompany her home. "Just to
the bend of the lane," he pleaded
understanding that she would prefer
his not going further. The tiny hands
relaxed as sne smiled her consent, and
, something Of pleasure shone in the
pure, sweet face, which should have
been full of nothing but sunshine. -
"Is this your first visit to the nightin
: gales bower?" Ronald asked as they
walked slowly along through the sun
light, canopy Of green leaves over
head, full of tiny riffs, the blue, sky
shining through. "No," she answered
81 have been here many times before;
and OH" she continued ecstatically, 81
do so love to hear the nighlingales
5 sing. 1t is my only pleasure, | almost
live on the thought, that at the twi
light hour, can steal away and thro"
dull care to the winds, and for JUS
' little while yield to the sweet de
!; light inspired by natures music
: Ronald listened; deep respect and
admiration in his earnest eyes
Il She turned with simple grace. "For-
=, give me-" she said, 81 am SO accus
:. toned to communing with nature anc
my own soul, that l almost forgot hat
companion, and spoke my thought
' aloud"
Ronald assured her that there wa
= nothing to forgive and for awhile the.
. walked on in silence.
e As they neared the bend Of tn
;: lane, Ronald took from his pocket tn
n handkerchief he found the night befor
: and held it out to her. 81 think thi
s must be yours" he said; 81 found
u under the elm last night
= eyes, it is mine; but were you a
: nightingale bower last nigh,?" she SAT-
= wonderlngly, yleldlng 10 an lnl
|, pulse.
= Ronald told her the whole story
n how he first saw her by accident, {
his successive visits, his wish to be
friend her, and all. She blushed a
1t is natural, but it quickly faded an
re turning her clear eyes 10 his face, sh
'e said earnestly, "For your offer {
n friendship thank you; do no, sup
y pose that any one in the wide worl
$, ever longed for friend more than
&c and yet," she continued sadly, 81 ca
make bu, poor return for your FRIEND
ship SO generously offered" an
q one," she concluded, while the shar
r ows slowly crept back to her eye