The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-02-27

den observer trembled lest his pres
ence be discovered. But she did no.
see him and with sigh she slowly
turned and walked away. Ronald
arose, and slaughtered his cramped
Ii mbs and went over and stood where
the girl had been.
"Who is she3" he wondered, "and
why is she living so strangely alone
at Iselmere? She is as pure as morn
ing dew, l know, but there is a mys-
terry somewhere and oh, that l could
solve it.. VIVA would l not'give only
to learn her name, but what is this?
be exclaimed STOPPING to pick up a
small, white object which lay near the
foot of the tree. Holding it up where
the moon beams fell full upon it he
read in delicately embroidered letters
-''Ivey Iselmere' "Ivey what
sweet name and how we'll it suits her."
Ronald thought. "She looks like a
delicate, dropping spray Of ivey, de-
prived of its support. Well, won't
leave this neighborhood just yet, but
will stay here and watch over this
beautiful Ivey. for l am afraid foul
play is going on somewhere.
Placing the handkerchief carefully
in his pocket he leisurely wended his
way homeward. The night was beau
tiful and bright but Ronald involun-
tarily repressed shudder as he passed
Iselmere. All was dark and gloomy,
weird shadows seemed to chase each
other over the house and grounds in
wicked glee; the trees were SO thick
that no light could penetrate and the
owls were holding high carnival in the
ruined wing and the ominous whoo!
whoo! falling on the night air with an
uncanny- sound. Ronald quickened his
steps, laughing afterward. 81 believe
l was frightened,' he thought. "Ah,
what an unearthly voice an owl has,
no wonder the ignorant and super
stitious shun that spot. Oh, what
shame for that lovely girl to be buried
there"
1t was with sense of relief that he
reached his own pleasant home, with
its twinkling lights and large pleas
ant rooms now thrown wide open to
admit the gentle summer breeze. Miss
Leigh met him at the door exclaiming,
"Come right in Ronnie, supper is
waiting" leading the way as she spoke,
to the brilliantly lighted, elegantly fur
nished supper room.
"Where have you been, Ronnie2"
she inquired after they are seated.
"Only for walk he replied
evasively, 'but The night was SO beau
tiful it tempted me to stay longer than
| intended" which was true
my dear child, l do hope you did
not 60 by Iselmere, or the nightingales
bower either,' Aunt Jane exclaimed
in alarm. "They say that girl'sspirit
has been seen many times at night
ingale bower and always in white. Do
not walk that way, Ronnie, l shall
always feel uneasy about you if you
do
"Why, Auntie, you do not suppose
that a delicate girl could hurt me,
even though she were ghost, do
you?" Ronald questioned amusedly.
"Besides, she may not he inclined to
hostility"
"Now you are laughing at me"
Aunt Jane said aggrievedly, "bu, l
shall feel uneasy about you whenever
you walk that way, for you can't de-
pend on even girl ghosts"
Ronald laughed outright and wen,
over and stroked Aunt James silvery
hair. "Your charge gives y IL lots of
trouble, doesn't he Auntie? but you
really have no cause for uneasiness. If
l ever venture by either of the places
named / promise you that will arm
myself against these ghos,ly visi
tants.'
"Now you are laughing at me again"
Aunt Jane replied, but she smiled On
him as he left the room and honestly
thought that there was no other like
him.
t. BE CONTINUED.