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

onoS'ShooN PA'SS1Ay wiz @Auu' jaw .
"ghost," was and resolved to visit the
spot again himself.
"No, but they say it always vanishes
when any one appears, and l tell you
l would not 60 by there after night
fall for pretty" Aunt Jane concluded, !,
gazing mildly after "Ronnie's" re-
treating figure.
CHAPTER III.
When the huge iron gates clicked
after the girl on the night our story
opened, she walked quickly up TIE
gloomy drive with its border Of
ancient decaying oaks and entered
side path fringed on either side with
stubby unkept box trees. Approaching
the western wing, she tapped lightly
on one of the many doors opening on
the long veranda and was admitted.
The light revealed slender, beautiful
figure, tall and straight and a face
gentle and lovely. An elderly woman
sat sewing at small table. She
glanced uneasily at the girl, who stood
near the window looking out in the
gathering darkness.
The woman's face was sharp and
stern, cruel and unscrupulous. What
relationship she bore to the girl, it was
impossible to tell, or why they we're
living so strangely alone at lselmere.
Neither spoke while the girl remained
in the room. She soon tired of her
position by the window and taking a
small lamp from a stand nea, by, she
crossed the long, gloomy hall, and as
cended flight of winding stairs.
Another tap at the door. The old
woman opened it and started back in
surprise. "Why Bob, is it you? I am
very glad to see you," she said as the
new conner advanced TO the fire and
prepared to make himself at home.
His face was the counterpart Of his
mother, cruel, harsh, and unscrupu-
lous.
eyes, it's me" he said in reply 10
his mothers remark. 81 have come
to see the girl, where is she?'
"In her room," his mother replied:
"and it will be best not to try to see
her to- night" "But l wiH see her, l
have come all the way from New York
for that purpose and must return to-
night, so 60 at once and tell her to
come down." Mr.. Bob Craven said
imperatively.
"She will not see you, tell you,"
his mother said sullenly, "you know
how she hates you, and if you force
yourself in her presence it will l,e ia
tai to all our plans"
eyes, she does hate me-" he said
fiercely, "but she shall marry me yet,
by fair means or foul, it matters little
to me which. Keep close guard on
her movements" he concluded harshly
"if catch any of these idle dandies
round here trying to steal a march
on me it won't be gool for them,
that's all. l won't try to see her to-
night, but will he back soon and you
can warn the proud Miss that | shall
expect to see her them
The outer door Summed and the
old woman was again alone.
CHAPTER w.
CUPID's DART.
After Aunt James communication
Ronald grew more restless. He could
settle to nothing. Calling to his dog
he started off hunting, changed his
| mind, came back, straddled his horse
and thought he would enjoy ride, bu,
did not ride but mile or two before
he concluded that that was not what
he wanted to do either.
81 would like very much to know
what ails me-" the easy-going young
man thought. 81 never was like this
before; guess its owing 10 the quiet
after living in large cities. I'll 60
away tomorrow and will be all right
in day or too"
He grew more restless as night ap-
preached and before the first star was
out he stationed himself on the fallen
log. The scene around him was truly
lovely. AS far as the eye could reach
huge oaks stretched their gnared arms
beavenward and the immense elm
called,nightingale's bower, reflected the
moons beams which now rode in
mid heaven, round and brilliant, bath
ing the beautiful landscape in a food
of golden glory. Far down in the wood
the last, faint, sleepy chlrp of many
little birds could be heard. Ronald
gazed at the scene about him entranced
when suddenly the nightingales burst
into song, SO sweet, SO sad and ten
der, that it seemed as though the
whole world was set to music, con-
| densed in that one song, and he felt
| ennobled and elevoted with the lofty
emotions which thrilled his soul. He
turned and started quickly for there
| under the tree, stood the same young
girl whom he had seen there before.
She was clad in a clinging robe ol
white with no ornaments save a scar.
let rose which nestled in the coils OF
her hair. One tiny dimpled hand
hung listlessly at her side, the other
was clasped behind her head, which
she leaned wearily against the tree. A
mischievous moon-beam had stolen
down thro' the leaves, and played ovel
her face revealing its pure beauty.
She looked SO lonely, so unprotected
and friendless, that koEald's heart
went out to her in deepest, tenderes
sympathy and he longed to speak te
her and offer to help her, for he fell
| 81 eh,I~u,