The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-09-21

chair, looking westward through the
vista of small rooms occupied by the
firm, was always waiting for him, with
the latest publications arranged on q
stand near by.
Lansing & Lane were distinctively
English in their tastes and surround
ings Their offices consisted of a suit
of small low rooms, up stairs. opening
directly into each other from east to
west and furnished ..den fashion,
which, as the reader well knows, i'm
plies rugs, couches. heavy hangfngs.
bric-a- brac. and the like, bathed in a
rich, winelike glow Of intercepted sum
light
AS one sat in the big, leather covered
chair Of the "den." looking westward
through the several rooms, there was
one window, at the end of all, left I'M
curtained. and on bright afternoons
the sun always poured through this
west window in flood of glory. Fuse
bus Smith, lounging In the big chair,
could not help seeing. day after day, 3
certain patch of brighter gold in the
midst Of the sunlight 1t was WON
ans shining head, always with the
face turned away from him, bending
over some absorbing work, behind a
sort of counter that concealed all of
the fair toiier but her head and neck
At first the young author was aware
of this patch Of gold merely in sort
of subconscious fashion-pleasing, but
not mentally notable. Then one day
he discovered it as a material for a
passing thought-recognized it as a
girls head, crowned with remarkably
fine, abundant shining hair, coiled like
q coronal.
The next time he dropped in and saw
it he wondered who this girl might be,
what she might be doing, always bend
ing so absorbedly over her hidden task.
Then later on strange curiosity seized
him to get glimpse Of her profile to
see If she were beautiful He would
often lie back and peer over the top Of
book. hoping that the magnetism of
his fixed gaze might cause the I'M
known divinity to turn her golden
head ever so little and reveal the in
visible features. But the patient work
er never yielded to his gaze, If, indeed,
she were aware of it. There was just
the patch Of gold in the afternoon SUM-
light, beautiful shining as a dream.
What lovely mystery!
In the meanwhile Eusebius Smith
held back his manuscript and dreamed.
It was a new sensation for him to
actually dream I'm life and not on pa
per. to have q personal and not liter
airy romance taking form IN his con-
sciousness day and night JmI
And well could he afford to lofter and
dream In his bachelor apartments on
royalties netting him $1,000 a month.
There was no need Of haste. Life
seemed 70 him beautiful and iieisufely.
It was charming to spend ONES morn
ings browsing IN the libraries and ones
afternoons lounging in the big chair at
Lansing 3 Lanes. Idealism is always
delightful. It Is SO sweet to have a
patch Of gold in one's life!
Various are the ways Of falling in
love. Eusebius Smiths way was char
acteristic Of him; he imagined himself
into it; be fell into it from an easy
chair.
1.-THE sunset is really fine through
our west window" said Mr.. Lane one
day, following the rapt eyes Of the lit
erary lion.
'T find kind Of perpetual sun glory
there" replied Eusebius Smith dream
lily.
Eyes" said Mr.. Lane. "It certainly
is a bright corner all the afternoon"
"Who does your book designing, Mr..
Lane?' asked the author abruptly and
with so loud voice that Mr.. Lane
started. Was there not little nerv-
GUS motion Of the patch of gold also?
Eusebius Smith sat looking straight
westward. 1t was strange way to
press a question.
'sft is done by a very clever young
woman in our employ" replied tie
publisher, after q moments hesitation.
"Weil, Mr.. Lane" cried the literary
hon in startlingly loud and roaring
voice, II must say that think~ie Is des.
pepately'-
He stopped short and with eager,
fixed gaze awaited the inevitable re-
suit. The patch Of gold swayed, vac
illated and then turned fashingly for
an instant in the sun.
"Finep' finished the author. with a
quality Of tone and intensity Of feeling
that astonished and delighted Mr..
Lane 81 am going to give you my lat
est manuscript" added Eusebius
Smith, ION condition that your clever
book designer makes it the chef
d'oeuvre Of her life. Understands
Perfectly" cried Mr.. Lane, rising
and rubbing his hands delightedly.
Archer, will you ask Miss Torrey to
step here, pleaseY'
"Now," said Mr.. Eusebius Smith III
being six months later), what design
have you conceived for the volume OF
life-onr life my little Golden Hair Y
They were standing in the sunlight
Of the west window, and once more the
lover saw only the snowy neck and the
bowed coronal Of gold.
"a fireplace and two easy chairs
came presently the shy answer.
Admirable" cried he.
And there ended bachelordom and
| Bohemia for them both. Exchange.