The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-03-18
lOrigInal story by, a Henderson young
lady, published by request
HARRIE;
Or the ClematiCe Garden.
BY sfN. Y. CARSON
CHAPTER V.

delighted with everything.
"Oh, Grandfather, how am ever tc
thank you enough, and repay you fo'
what you have given me1 You have
brought me to an Eaden. 1t is per
fectly beautiful here"
"My Blossom, don't speak that way
| would give up everything in life fol
you"
She flung her little white arms abou
him, and kissed the tears away.
"Blossom, you are growing to be ;
woman. You ought to have younger
! companion than myself Old age has
long since left her sllvery frost upor
my brow"
"Dear Grandfather, want no Other
than yourself.
Come, Blossom, with me to accus
tom myself with my fathers possessions
once more after 50 many years.
The old man took her arm, that
strong young arm guiding the feeble
one along. As they slowly walked
adnlring here a bower Of clematice
for whispering lovers made, and there
clump of shrubs, the old man told
her about his childhood, and related
every incident connected with the
beautiful old place. A pearly teal
would spring to her eyes as she listened
to some boyish trick.
Blossom life was one long dream
of sunshine. The deepest sorrow wa:
dispelled by her musical laughter
She was the very Light OF the old mans
heart. Every one loved her. The
children from school that passed her
home would linger to catch a glimpse
Of her. She often gave them flowers
In the evening she would lull the ole
man TO rest with the soft notes of hel
Italian harp. People would stop, list
ening to her clear voice. 1t was hel
custom to 1ing as She played. The
school master would sometimes accom-
pany her in her morning rambles
Often she was alone, when Grand father
was tired.
Blossom" the old man said one
day, 'fwould you like some other en-
tertalnment than wha, you havel''
81 d Mt know, Grandfather. an
always pleased with the h)wers and
birds, and the solitude love-
"My pet, tomorrow you will be
eighteen. Would you like a nice even
ing with crowd of young peopleP
Will send the invitations. 1t will seen
something like going back to my boy
hood for one brief interval"
Next day dawned bright and beautiful
Blossom was busy and quite happy al
day. She had just finished inspectin:
her lovely costume when the clock OF
the mantle chimed four, She started
"Bennet, have everything right, an(
attend to Grandfather. Now to bt
arrayed for a reception" mused Bios
som as she stood at the window look
ing across the woodland. She turnel
and began 10 arrange her toilet. oh
had adjusted the last article, when he
Grandfather came TO fetch her down
"lou are my grown-up pet now,
nevef dreamed that a few stylish thing
would change you So
Gam | changed very muchP'
"lndeed, my pet, you look Venus
the trailing robes Of woman has rob
bed me of my child"
~
child"
"But ! am keeping the fair one hit
too long. The personages assembled
will wonder when ] present my treas
u1e. Come, let US descend"
Blossom could not help the flutter
ing of her heart as she neared tn
drawing room. There was surprls
for her. She only expected few
There was a gllmmer OF beauty, tn
great and noble men and ladies wer
en- tetf-tete. All were bright, brllllar
and happy. The flush On her Chee
deepened as she walked in leaning O
the arm of her grandfather. Ever
eye was on her, she had never been
gay, brilliant assemblage like tn
before, and her debut was somewh;
embarrassing. Still it did not ste;
the fresh innocence away. The noble
and handsomest bowed before he
She was the same to all. Every on
; was anxious to be near her. She COZ
! versed with such sparkling wit, an
: was the same sweet, gentle one TO al
The evening had reached its helg
and conversation was beginning
grow monotonous to certain tai
+ handsome man. He had througho'
the evening seemed listless and deaf
all about him. a group of Blossom
t admirers had asked her to sing son
}, of her sweet songs; she would not ha
done it if her Grandfather had NJ
stepped forward to lead her to II
piano.
"Slng your sweetest, my love- sa
; he.
t A few chords were lightly played E
,, her sllvery voice fell upon the perfume
I air. This inattentive man had nols
lessly sought her side. The clear, swe
words touched every heart there.
Take me back to the happy land.
Where had grown to love;
There have played on pebbled sand.
Looking and thinking of Mother abo'
l have watched the meadow with corn
Waving gently to the summer bree2
The dear happy land where Mother "
born,
SO beautiful and grand beyond the sea
Her fingers lay motionless on t
keys. Every one turned to see t