The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-11-25
Miriam'S Rival


backed up against the curb on the op.
posite side of the road and remem.
bered Jim Ridgeley's promise.
He had purchased the land across
the street from her own home and
had built thereon a handsome resi-
cupied many a pleasant evening. as
the fluffy golden head was bent close
beside the sleek brown hair. and Jim's
hand closed over her own as she
pointed out defects in the blue print
plans.
saw the burlay shrouded furniture be-
ing carried into the house. II was
evident that some other girl would
share the home she had planned with
Jim. and she tried to tell herself that
she did not care. even while the tears
streamed down her cheeks
In the interval that had elapsed
since she had given Jim back his ring
and had refused to permit him an ex-
pi.aation wounded pride had prevent
ed her from owning. even to herself.
that she still cared, but the furnish
ing of the house seemed very definite.
There was horrid woman, too, super
intending the operation of moving In.
1t was because of this same woman
that they had parted. Miriam had
wanted to be the first woman to en-
ter the new house when II should be
dopa apd che Ioorad ouf Dpa y,,nrptng
to see this business-like young person
let herself in with a key. That even
ing when Jim had called. Miriam
had sent him away with the curt ex-
PLANTATION that she had found that she
did not care for him. He had begged
that she tell him what the matter
was and suggested that there might
be some mistake. but Miriam had
turned a deaf ear to his pleadings.
and after half dozen of his letters
had been returned, Jim had written
no more
Late one afternoon Ridgeley look.
ed up from his desk to behold a small
feminine cyclone. He sprang to his
feet and held out his hands in greet.
ing, but Miriam shrank back.
do you suppose that would shake
hands with you?" she asked scorn-
fully. Il am not come here to con-
graduate you, but to tell you how un.
utterable is my contempt for you"
Il think that you have gone pretty
fully into that exposition in the past
few months" said Ridgeley. May l
ask what fresh occasion has moved
you to reduce your silent contempt
to words? Is it about the house?"
Your conscience proves your
fault declared Miriam. "You might
have had the decency to sell the
house"
Il suppose that would have been
the best way" agreed Ridgeley. but
as the real estate market is now I
could not sell to any great advantage
1t would mean an out-and-out sacri.
flee"
II suppose that sentiment makes no
appeal to suppose" said Miriam scorn-
fully. but to bring another woman
to live in the house we had planned
together for our home! You have had
your revenge" she concluded weak
ly.
Il am not yet rich enough to keep
a valuable piece of property closed
up for lifetime through sentiment"
reminded Ridgeley gently 81 assure
you that l feel none too pleasant
about it. but / had to put 1t on the
market"
ION the market" sobbed Miriam.
do you call coming to live there
with the woman who made all the
trouble putting it on the marketT Do
you deny that you are going to mar
ry that horrid woman"
Its the first I've ever heard of q
'horrid woman" declared Ridgeley.
and SO | can't very well marry her.
1 didn't know that there was a woman
at the bottom of things"
She's there this very minute SD
perintendlng things" explained Miri-
am between sobs, II stood IT Just as
long as l could; then ! came down
here to tell you what thought of your
conduct"
There is no woman" insisted
Ridgeley.
Yes, there is" insisted Miriam.
THE same one who came and spent
a morning in the house before l saw
it myself-and you promised that I
should be the first woman to cross
the threshold"
$50 that's the trouble, is it," asked
Ridgeley. why didn't you tell me
this before?"
What was the use when you
knew" sobbed the girl.
But didn't know" declared Ridge
ley. 1T must have been someone
from the decorators. I'll call up end
find out"
There was a brief interval in the
telephone booth. and Ridgley emerged
smiling.
That is what 1t means" he con.
firmed Il didn't know 1t, but their
chief decorator Is a woman. She was
there the first time to measure for the
curtains. engaged the same firm
to settle the house, so she is there"
AID you are not going to be mar
ried?" asked Miriam.
Not unless can induce you TO
reconsider your objection" said
Ridgeley. VIII you. dear?"
Perhaps. whispered Miriam. If
If You promise never TO do IL again"
Ritgeley smiled at the feminine
rsrf. ~ IL
was very tender as he bent close to
the golden curls to whisper his prom
ise. Miriam's first rival had been dis
posed OF and Cupid had come again
into his own-CELLA CRANE