The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-03-11

Off went Blossom sure enough like
a birdie. In moment she was back
wit tea, helping the old man, talking
merry the while. The old man had a
grave look on his face, and did not
talk much, but sat as if wrapt in
thought. He looked up once, and his
dark eyes met those strangely beautiful
blue ones of Blossom.
at is time my pet was dreaming
sweet dreams now, | must retire." he
said "and will talk over my beautiful
Italy OF the morrow. Good night,
Blossom, my own"
"Good night, dear Grandfather.
The world lay basking in the light
of beautiful sunrise across mountain
and vale coated over in pure white
making gems of the loose snow fakes
ere the old man opened his eyes to
contemplate the magnificent land
scape.
81 wonder if Blossom too is gaz
| ing on the beauty around u.s. he said
to himself, and arranging his toilet
he proceeded to the little parlor. Bios
SONS musical voice rang merily out
on the invigorating air to greet
him.
"Come in," she said.
The old man was beWildered as he
beheld his darling, fresh as a lovely
morning flower, in her dark gown with
nut brown curls waving gently over a
white blue veined brow.
"Grandfather, l am SO anxious to
hear your recital of the wonders Of
fair Italy"
only own, come sit at my feet, so l
may see your face"
Blossom seated herself at his feet,
with one arm resting on his knee, her
head thrown slightly back unconscious
of her beauty, that fair face of his
grandchild would dispel the sorrow,
and bring sunlight into the old mans
heart.
"To tell you when | arrived there
in my native land | could not stay the
tears that would come. | thought oil
the olden time when l was young,
chasing the golden winged butterfly OF
romping joyiously on the green. Bios
som, dearest, | have few sad events
to relate, ere l tell you of Italy. My
mother | never knew, my father was
taken from me when | was TOO young
as to contemplate the loss l had sus-
tanned, his property was securely man
aged until became of age. | lived
the life of an exile in idleness, until !
met beautiful young girl. Then
everything changed, | was not myself,
| was ambitious to attain something
noble for her my love, wanted tc
mount the ladder, and be placed on
throne of eminence all for her, bu,
after my striving to be something and
my great love for her, she did not
love me in return. Then my hear,
was broken, | sought 10 erase hel
image from my heart by incessant
travel and exile. left my boyhood
home to be wanderer over oceans
and plains. | wanted to bury my
broken self i'll oblivion, and l have
lived an exile flom home ever since.'
"Grandfather, who am l?'
.You are Blossom Vernon, my own
pet"
"rell me Of my mother, dear
Grandfather
"My child, your mother is dead"
! Blossom noticed the moisture on hel
grandfather's brow, but she did no.
know what it meant. Alas! for that
beautiful girl she did not know. The
old man recovered himself.
"My Blossom, listen to me. We
are to 60 to Italy, then you may see
its grand old walls and listen to its
sweet strains of music.
II can almost hear them to my heart steal
ing,
Like the nightingales soft notes on
balmy breezes pealing.
"Dear, my poor feeble words art
inadequate to portray fair Italy"
"Grandfather, you have become el
oquent as you think of all that was
dear to you. When will we start7'
"On the morrow if you wish it,"
Blossoms lovely head was pilloweC
on his breast; and she sobbed out how
! happy she was. The old man let {
tear fall on her tresses, as he thought
how little it was to make his darling
happy.