Little Golden's Daughter; or, The Dream of a Life TimeMiller, Alex. McVeigh, Mrs.
Philosophy
Little Golden's Daughter; or, The Dream of a Life Time
Miller, Alex. McVeigh, Mrs.
Fiction
"Did you not understand me before? It is Golden Chesleigh--Chesleigh
after you, Uncle Bert. Is it not a pretty name?"
"Very!" he rejoined, pale to the lips. "Did you think of it yourself,
Ruby?"
"Not at all; I asked Mary for a name, and she said Golden. Then I added
Chesleigh."
Some curiosity came over him to see the good nurse who loved Ruby and
was kind to her, but who hated men, and who had chosen for the pretty
wax doll, the sweet and unusual name of Golden.
* * * * *
There came a light tap on the outer door. Mrs. Desmond rose to open it.
Golden peeped again and saw her cousin Elinor coming in.
"May I come in and see the invalid?" she asked, brightly, and Bertram
Chesleigh answered:
"Yes, do, Miss Glenalvan. Ruby is better and is holding a levee of her
humble subjects."
Elinor kissed the child and sat down as near as she dared to Mr.
Chesleigh.
She looked very bright and blooming, and her dress was as usual
fashionable and becoming.
Golden could see that Mrs. Desmond regarded her with a real fondness.
Elinor had found out the lady's weakness and played upon it skillfully.
She saw that she was jealous of her husband, and immediately affected
an indifference to, and an utter obliviousness of the fascinations of
the handsome Mr. Desmond, that delighted his wife and drew her heart to
Elinor.
Clare, on the contrary, had an uncontrollable propensity for flirting,
and took a malicious pleasure in witnessing the grand lady's silent
rage at her walks and talks, and careless enjoyment of her flippant
husband's society.
The result was that Elinor received a charmingly worded invitation to
return to the north with Mrs. Desmond, while Clare was silently and
chillingly ignored.
She was bitterly angry at missing the trip, and sorely repented her
weakness, but too late for the repentance to avail, while Elinor was
transported with delight.
Surely, she thought, a whole winter in New York, with beautiful Golden
out of the way, would be sufficient for the accomplishment of her
designs upon Bertram Chesleigh's heart.
Sweet Golden read her cousin's purpose plainly in the tender glances
she gave Mr. Chesleigh now and then, from beneath her black-fringed
lashes, and the heart of the innocent girl sank heavily.
"She will win him from me," she said, drearily to herself. "Elinor is
so beautiful, and graceful, and brilliant, it is a wonder that he ever
liked me better than he did her. It was but a light fancy after all,
perhaps. He will forget it and turn to her."
The thought gave her inexpressible pain.
She sank upon the floor and hid her face in her hands, weeping silent
and bitter tears while the hum of gay talk and laughter flowed on
unheeded in the next room.
So it is ever in the busy, jostling world. Sorrow and joy go side by
side.
The bridal train meets the funeral procession. Life is mingled sunshine
and shadow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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