The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-03-25
Original story by a Henderson young
lady, published by request.l
HARRIE;
Or the ClematiCe Garden.
BY "N. Y. CARSON
BY "N. Y. CAR SON.
CHAPTER VII.

| DiOSoOli administered tnc SOOtnlnS
potion as directed, and did all for her
Grandfather she could After she had
attended to all his wants and lulled
him to sleep with a gentle song, for he
was not too i'll 10 listen to her singing,
she gently left the room to join Sir
HarrIe who was impatienily waiting
for her. Blossom had not forgotten
the little Clema,ice incident and the
spray was crushed even as the wearer
After lnhallng its fragrance on the
bosom which covered frightened
fluttering heart, Sir Harrie seemed so
kind and anxious for her Grandfather
that she could but love HIM for it.
They sauntered out on the long
veranda while the old man was rest
ing. The gentle Blossom clung to Sr
Harrie in this her first hour of trouble,
as tender vine would cling to a
strong oak. He was considerate an
consollng and told her many pleasant
stories trying to avert her thoughts
from her sick Grandparent, but if he
paused she would steal softly to the
sick chamber and watch the sleeping
old man.
Her gentle steps did not disturb bu,
they awoke him. He did not speak,
but waited until he knew she could not
hear him. He Crept from his bed and
opened his desk and was searching
among his papers. Having found what
he wanted, he then placed them back
n their same resting places. Such a
| look OF COntentment stole over his face
that 1t was almost sublime. He fell
on his knees and offered up a fervent
prayer which was known only to God
and himself. Then he went back to
bed and deep pallor spread over his
face. He was ghastly. Then one
loud shrek and the crimson life blood
trlckled from his nostrls and mouth.
Blossom and Sir Harrie heard the
cry but they thought it was some Of
the servants and still fingered on the
veranda until Blossom became uneasy
| and sought the chamber once more.
She saw the crimson stains on the white
coverlet and she madly rushed to his
, bedside. But there was no warm brow
| for her 10 stroke, no feeble aged hand
10 CareSs. There was another wild cry
and youth and beauty were unconscious
in the chamber Of death.
SIT HaIrle was the first to reach her,
then The servants came to see what was
the matter. They discovered at once
that the old man was dead and then
| their eyes fell on the grief stricken girl.
Sir Harrle sent them in all directions
TO fetch rcstoratlves to bring the un-
conscious back TO consciousness again .
When the servants had left the room
he knelt beside the PROSTATE girl and
felt her pulse. He could hardly per
| cleve their feeble beating.
"My God. ii we cannot restore her
my life will not be worth living" he
cried.
He called her his darling and other
endearing names, although in bright
ness and happiness he had never whls-
pered it to her. Now that she was
unconsciou. he could tell her that he
| loved; yes, adoIed her.
| The servants had returned and Sir
| Harrie took Blossom in his arms and
carried her to her room, and gave di-
rectlons for applying the restoratives
they had brought. He himself assisted
i'll bringing her to consciousness again.
When those blue eyes of Blossoms S
opened they first looked in his face.
| "What is i,2 Why am | here? o.!
l remember. Grandfather is dead,
and am all alone in the world"
| Her grief was painful to witness.
Sir Harrie then left the room to dc
what he could for Mr.. Vernon. After
he had finished this last sad earthly
duty for the old man who was friend
of his fathers, he quietly left the beau
tful home that but a few short day:
before was bri ght with not a sh adow
hanging over it. But now all was still
save the muffled tread OF the servants
The sunlight had vanished and lef,
sorrows veil instead.
1t was sunset now and Blossom had
not taken any food during the day.
They lett her alone, she wished it.
While her Grandfather was living, she
was happy and did not look up to thai
One who gave her all things. But now
when she was alone and in trouble she
sough, and prayed to God and conse
Grated herself to Him to do His bid
ding whatsoever it was.
| Bennett, the old servant, was crushe q
with grief, for he served Mr. Vernon's
father and mother and had watched
Mr.. Vernon grow TO manhood. He
felt it more deeply than the others.
Bennett went several times TO Bios.
som begging her to take some nourish
ment, but she would not. Again he is
knocking at her door.
"Come in, Bennett, know what you
want, but l cannot eat anything.
feel as if it would choke me-"
"Do, Miss Blossom, take something
| You will be i'll from this.
"No, Bennett, | do not want any
thing; if do will ring for it. Leave
me alone for little while. Wait just
moment Has Sir Harrle gomez
"Yes, Miss Blossom, but he told ms
he would come early in the morning
to do what he could for you
| she burst out to weeping again
| Nigh, in her sable darkness had al
ready spread its gloom and the in
mates of that home were silent. Nc
one watched with them that night bu
God.
1 hr,u n