The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-16
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A GIRL OF GOLD

marry a poor musician. who love,
thee :"
Elsa hand slipped into his as she
breathed rather than said. Yes. Ru-
dolph.'
There was no one In sight. not
even an absent minded policeman.
/ Only IA curious sparrow saw how Elsa
blushed when Rudolph gave her that
FIRST kiss. "s
A month before their wedding day
letter came 4rosl Uvfnal4s AZ
Rudolph After he had read 1t he
paced his room Tor hours. When he
sought Elsa his face was very grave
and spoke with new authority
/ Dear, must nov tell thee the
truth. / wished to walt ill after our
marriage. bat things have happened
that compel me to explain now nv
father has suddenly died. My mother
sends for ne and must gu to Ger
many to look after our affairs There
j. great deal of money never
thought 10 have it. for my father once
Glsinherlted me because / would not
marry the girl he had chosen for me.
| would never even see her-the tiided
one / desired love before marriage
SO ran away to America, and my
violin has kept me In bread ana
Hut II my mother needs me- must
go for a little while"
And does she wish thee to marry
this unloYed girl, my Rudolph o.
asked Elsa wistfunv. Perhaps now
to please her.
What. marry srauleiu Herter Of
the money bags now that have
found thee No. no"
Elsa turned very white and uttered
a little cry. She seized her lover 3
arm Rudolph. tell me the truth.
What - thy real name
Rudolph won Heide- Edeishe elm. 90
he replied proudly
The effect on Elsa Of this admjs-
sion was astonishing She gaspel
and became paler still Then the
color streamed back into her face, her
eyes shone like stars. At last she
spoke mischievously.
And thou wouldest not even see
this Fraulein Herter. That was not
fair 10 her. Perha ps she might have
I attracted thee. in spite Of her gild-
ing
Why shouId my life be bartered
FOR money" cried Rudolph. i ran
away II vas all / could do. But now
/ / must go back for a little time"
Thy high born mother She viii
r
1 ter laughed Elsa.
Her lover replied with frmness Il
am now the head Of the family She
4 VIII accept the wife | choose
/ Elsa kissed him Joyfuly. "Oh. Ru-
! doiph. thou art the prince of lovers.
She murmured. And now | have 4
request. Tonight. to please thine Ell
| 81, play on the violin upstairs ant
let me accompany thee below as a
the beginning Of orr acquaintance
Question not | have reason"
W hen evening came Rudolph played
the home songs, but with a melan.
choiy cadence, Even in the parlol
! below Elsa felt his sadness at tn,
thought ~ separation till She couls
bear IT no longer Soon she callet
| MIN As on that first night she
heard his quick steps on the stairs
nut now he came running to her side
When he saw her he stopped, trans
hNed' beautiful woman In eVeninj
dress sat at the piano. her happy fac
turned expectantly toward him
ELSA he stammered.
fraulein Herter, but thine Elsa
nevertheless She threw herself int.
his arms. "Dost thou love the girl o
gold visit thou barter thyseif TO
money. now, my Rudolph ." she aske,
gaiiy.
Her lover was dumb and she wen
on; =. too, refused TO wed whel
there was no love and thy father of
fefed thee to me as husband NJ
guardians insisted / could not rebs
for was not Of age. !. too, ran away
intending to take care Of myself unit
came into my Inheritance. Their
was much searching for the lost heir
ess, but ! had hidden myself we'll
knew how to do nothing gainful bu
house work. 80 | became a serving
maid rather than marry thee, Ru
dolph, trom sheer happiness he
laughter dubbed mp again
Rudolph held her close Thou ar
truly a girl OF sold--pure gold" h
whispered fondly