The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1921-05-13
TRUE GOLD LADY |
BY MoLLIE MATHER.
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NO one WCulQ nave accused JOnn
Towers of harboring romantic dreams,
yet half-unconsciously, at the back of
his well ordered bachelor life was
kept a daintily colored picture Of
a glorifed being who should one day
become his wife-one day. for the
attainment seemed ever farther off.
Johns measure of success in business
had not fulfilled boyish promise,
though the village bank had grown to
reality through his tireless and sys-
tematic effort.
The bank had been but part Of d
store when John began as its am
bilious cashier. Now he was presi-
dent and owner and the small white
pllared building, the finest on Main
street. John Towers home was also
capably managed, with meals always
just on time, and regular cleaning and
baking days never varied.
His elderly sister followed Johns
ways Of prudence and matter-o
ness. And II she had visioned for her
brother a wife it was some sensible
and efficient creature who would con-
tinue sufficiently the daily routine.
dream picture she would have been
astonished and alarmed. AS resident
young women and visitors coming
from far and near failed as time
passed to arouse Johns serious inter-
est, his sister settled down assured OF
her continued comfortable reign. And
then John saw the White and Gold
lady. That is the name his heart In
stantly gave her as he walked idly one
Sunday morning to the farthest end
of the lane Lovers Lane" the young
folk called 1t, but until John came
walking back again later by the White
and Gold lady's side he had never ap-
preciated the meaning Of the name.
She was sitting on bench built round
the old park tree when he first found
her. Her dress was white and her hair
was gold and she held some marigolds
in her white fingers.
eff you please" asked the White
and Gold lady, with smile that was
golden too, "could you tell me the way
to Willow Lawn house? I'm a visitor
there and started for the woods and
can't get back; the turns are so very
confusing"
John Towers drew a happy breath
Of anticipation.
81 will be delighted to show you the
way" he offered, and that was the be-
ginning of the end. A small-town
banker seemed not a desirable hus-
band to the father Of the White and
Gold lady. And he told her so with
an emphasis which hurried her into
marriage. For Lily had to make her
choice between father and lover and
she made 1t inevitably, trustfully-
while the old capitalist withdrew in
injured pride to his great home.
So for a time did routine and order.
But Lily. the dainty, bent to cook and
menu, with the same intensity that
had carried her through music and
study; and If household tasks were
not always accomplished. John Tow
ers, coming broodingly from his bank,
found awaiting him deliciously cooked
meals that tempted his tagging appe-
tite.
Things were not going well with the
bank on the village street and John
wondered and wondered-about the
White and Gold lady.
Then the bank failed. The circum-
were unforeseen and unavoid-
able, yet he blamed himself. And
when he could no longer bear the |
pathos of Lily's patient face, he babe
her go away some place for visit.
Obediently his wife went. If he
had expected her to demur he did not |
show his disappointment. 1t was an
old school friend that Lily selected
to visit in her old college city.
The friend had been inviting her for
a long time. And when John found
that he could no longer bear the
loneliness of his own desc |
late home he took Of the small saw |
ngs which could lily be spared for |
even that purpose and travelled the
miles to see Lily. She was more the
White and Gold lady than ever In a
ilmy white frock at tea her hostess
was giving.
The yellow-shaded candles shone on
her yellow-gold hair. He sighed hope
essly at the difference between their
present lives. II will 60 back" he told
Ter huskily, ito my failures. The pity
If 1t is that 1 should ever have
brought you to share them" Lily
1rew him aside.
Dearest" she said, you are not
going home to failure; and when I
nave finished here what / am doing, 4
hon 7 will como hack m vou-for