The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-12-12

ment, and Jack Ralston went west,
leaving his sweetheart we'll nigh bro
ken hearted, with only duty to console
her, and sometimes duty Is the best
consolation one can have.
If he had been less impatient there
would have been no trouble. DR.. Bland
did not understand the effect which
broken heart sometimes produces upoa
the body. Mr.. Ackermann died before
the winter was over. Jack Ralston
came home as soon as he beard the
news. but Miss Alderman had gone to
the city with cousin Of her mother
and was Obdurate. Her filial affection
found satisfaction in refusing to for
give the lover who had desired her IA
Tiers death. She would not even see
him, and SO the affair ended.
Well, it was too late now, and she
was a fool to be dreaming of 1T. The
sermon was ended, and the music OF
the organ reused her to the conscious
ness of things present and to come.
She took part with the congregation In
the rest of the service and then hur-
ried home TO make hasty toilet for
dinner.
There was only quiet family gath
ering. The fiance of the oldest daugh-
ter, travelling salesman in the en-
ploy of a wholesale house, was the
life of the party. He was considered
a very bright young man and a good
talker. BE was at his best today and
kept them all amused with stories OF
his travels, so that Miss Alderman
had only to listen with a semblance of
interest.
by the way, Miss Ackermann," he
said presently, Il met an old friend of
yours Oh this last trip. Ralston was
the name-J. w. Ralston. It was in
Idaho, Boise City. He is doing well
in mines out there and is quite chum-
my with one Of my best customers,
who has some money in his business.
The two were together at my rooms In
the hotel, and he saw Minis picture on
the bureau. l always carry it around
to keep me out of temptation-guard-
ian angel business, you know, Min
and he saw it. You know people say
yOu Two lOUh uuhC, duu tuC AhcAcSS
comes out strong in that photo. 1t
struck him all of heap. Excuse me-
he said, but will you tell me whose
picture that is? 1t looks very much
like some one 1 knew ten years ago.
"'Certainly,' said l. That is my
best girl. She is thought very much
like a lady who lives in the same
| house, Miss Ackermann, from New Jer-
sey.' Well, it turned out to be the
| very same. He asked lots of questions
about you, especially whether you were
married. I gave you good character,
| and 1 guess you'll be hearing from him
before long. Ross says he is bache
lor."
Miss Ackermann controlled herself
| sufficiently to smile. THANK you, we
| were friends and neighbors when /
was GIRL" she replied, and in mo-
ment more they were all laughing at
comical anecdote which the drummer
was telling in his best style. 1t was
no wonder he sold goods.
When the dinner was over the host
ess excused herself soon upon the plea
of domestic duties, leaving Miss Acker-
mann with the young people. So,
knowing herself in the way, she lin
| gered but few minutes. Back in her
room she gave way and took refuge in
that last solace Of her sex, good cry.
Her overweight nerves demanded re-
lief and would not be denied.
She was still huddled, q disconsolate
heap, on the lounge when there came
a tap at the door which she recognized
as that Of her little friend. She sat
up and hurriedly Strengthened her hair,
trusting that in the dim light of the
fast falling twilight the child would
notice nothing amiss, sharp as she was.
"Come ill.," she called as the knock
was repeated.
Heres a gentleman to see you," the
child said, with the air Of a person
who confers a favor. "He says he is
an old friend. so l brought him right
up" Miss Ackermann remembered
that, it being Christmas day. the maid
would be out and that consequently
the little girl would answer the door.
THANK you." she said. you may
CO." Then she found herself face to
face with a bronzed and bearded man
whose eyes only were familiar.
"Well, Annie" he said in a voice she
knew so well, "here l am once more"
She held out both hands with an
eager gesture. "Oh, Jack, Jackw she
cried.
A moment more and she was sob
bling on his shoulder while his arms
held her as though they would never
let go.