The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-09-21
YEARS AFTER.

"Mattie, you little brown thing, what
are you doing? Dreaming, declare! Did
you know, child, you have just IS min
utes to dress in before the inner bell
rings?''
She had donned her prettiest costume
and brightest smiles in honor OF she new
arrival, Guy Edgerton.
how my beautiful sister would have
laughed could she have known that this
same new arrival was the hero of my
dreams! I will tell you how he came to
perform SO important a part in them. We
at home always made it practice to cele-
brate the birthdays with a fete. Five
years ago, when it lacked but two weeks
Of my sisters eighteenth birthday, my
mother died. We mourned her loss deeply,
but Kate, for her oath's sake, given in the
shape Of enalneled invitation cards, would
not give up her usual custom.
The party came off, protesting ] would
not appear i'll the drawing room. and I
did not, but, sitting alone on the balcony,
watched the forms fit to and fro in the
brilliant drawing roou.
1 was crying bitterly when "a firm step
sounded beside me, and, looking up
met the gaze of Guy Edgerton, my sister
Katie's most ardent ad,nfrer.
''Why do you not join tho company
Miss Howard?"
He bent forward and looked in my face
"What. in tears, little one?'' At this !
cried harder than ever
"Won't you tell me What grieves your
At this l told him all-how it seemed
to me sacrilegious SO to treat my mothers
memory
He said nothing, only smoothed my hair
tenderly until ceased weeping.
AS looked up he said:
Little Matte, am going away tomor-
row-going to Europe. Will you Kiss me
Goodbye"
1 was only is, SO raised my head and
kissed him.
''Thank you, little one, and when l
como back will you give mo a kiss of well
come? l have 10 mother, no sister, Mat
tie, 10 one to welcome mo back. VIII
you?"
"Ycs, SIR eobbcd
He said ''Thank you" again and then
left me.
For five long years had heard nothing
from him, and now he had returned.
This is what had been dreaming about
this pleasant morning. The dinner bell
Housed me from my reverie, and, hastily
donEing my prettiest blue muslin.
sought the dining room. AS l entered my
father presented me to Mr.. Edgerton.
Ny little daughter, Matte.
II think arc already acquainted"
he said and then passed on.
The last morning of Mr. Edgorton' S stay
the subject OF conversation turned upon
kissing Nj. EdsertOn, sitting by, did
not join in the con-. ersation. Pretty Flo
Archer saucil. demanded Mr.. Edgerton's
opinion.
Nv
like TO attend forfeit partiesf''
"Nu, Miss Archer, do not l think
kiss obtained hy compulsion no kiss at
all. "
"Fic! We shall get up party on pur-
pose u test you. We believe you would
assist
- certainly should not"
"Why, Mr., Edserton! You shall do
penanco for that speech. y
You are TO tell what lady you kissed
last.
THAT would not do, as the lady is pres
ont and would be tho sufferer rather than
myself
"Wcil, then, you are to tell how long it
is since you kissed her
viii you promise not to doubt my
wordy'
"Oh, certainly"
1Hell, Miss Layton, nave Kissed DO
lady for the space of five long years.
"Oh, Guy is probably faithful to some
fair lady who favored Elm then,' suggeat-
ed Ned Archer.
EXACTLY so, Ned" and be passed. to
meet his valet, who came with letters.
My checks were burning, and l arose
and fled to iay room.
Matte you little goose, what are you
blushing forr He doc sn't mean you
1 said this over to ulyself, but somehow
doubted my own words.
Here Kate burst in upon me.
Here you are. FUSS l have been out
hunting for yau. We have made up
party TO ride ant to the Shaker settlement
and take dils. ~ and ra1urn by moonlight.
Won't 1t be fun, and don't you want to
go?''
''No guess I,had rather stay at home
and have quiet day of it,
what little old maid it is! Well, it
needn't 90 unless it wants to!' And she
was Oft. watched them drive off, Then !
took my sewing and ensconced myself in
a bay window in the quiet, cool parlor.
Scarcely had l seated myself when some
one entered the room, repeating those
lines Of Leigh Hunts little ballad:
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me
Say I'm growing old, but add
Jennie kissed me.
My heart gave a great bound for recop-
nized Guy Edgerton's voice.
Not knowing l was there, he came to
the very window where l was sitting. .
He drew back the curtain and looked in
upon me.
why, Matte, you here? I thought
you were out with the riding party. How
cozy you look here. May sit down be.
side your
Yes, sir, l answered frankly.
His dark eyes searched my face for a
moment. Then he said:
II AIN going away tomorrow, little one.
VIII you redeem your promise before eof
have carried the kiss you gave me last
through all my travels, darling, and have
brought it back to you pure as you gave
1t. L have kissed no woman all the five
years, for, do you know, Matte, you
made a conquest of mo that night when
you kissed me. l have loved you ever |
since, and now, darling, if you give me
my KISS of welcome you must give your
self with it. Shall it be so, darlinpp Will |
you be my little wife?'
knew then what he had been to me all |
these years, SO l acted my simple self and |
kissed him.-New York News