GOLD ELSIE

CHAPTER I.

It had been snowing all day long,—so steadily that theroofs and window-sills were covered deep with spotlesswhite cushions. And now the early twilight fell,bringing with it a wild gust of wind that raged among thefalling snow-flakes like some bird of prey among a flock ofpeaceful doves.

Although the weather was such that the comfort-lovinginhabitants of any small town would hardly have senttheir dogs out of doors, not to mention venturing theirown worthy persons, yet there was little difference to beseen in the size of the crowd that usually frequents thestreets of the large Capital, B——, between the hours ofsix and seven in the evening. The gas lamps were anexcellent substitute for those heavenly lights which wouldnot make their appearance. Carriages were whirlingaround corners in such tempestuous haste that many apedestrian rescued life and limb only by a sudden leap aside,while curses both loud and deep were hurled after thecoachmen enveloped in their comfortable furs, and theelegant coaches which contained behind their glass doorscharmingly dressed women, whose lovely flower-crownedheads, as they peeped from among masses of muslin andtulle, certainly had no suspicion of the fire and brimstonecalled down upon them. In the warm atmosphere,behind the huge shop windows, elaborately curled andfrizzed wax heads, surrounded by blond and black scalps,stared out upon the passers-by. Smiling shopmendisplayed their fascinating merchandise, and withered oldflower-sellers stood among their fresh-blooming bouquets,which exhaled beauty and fragrance beneath the light ofthe lamps that shed a brilliant glare upon the slipperypavement and upon the flood of human life streaming by,revealing the pinched, blue features and the desperatelyuncomfortable movements of all, old and young.

But stay,—not of all! A female figure has just enteredone of the principal streets from a narrow by-way. Asmall threadbare cloak closely envelopes her slender form,and a worn old muff is pressed against her breast,confining the ends of a black lace veil, behind which twogirlish eyes are glowing with the sunlight of early youth.They look out joyously into the whistling snow-storm,rest lovingly upon the half-open rosebuds and dark purpleviolets behind the glass panes of the shop windows, andonly veil their light b

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