The mountain Democrat., 1864-03-19
THE CRUMPLED ROsE-LEAF,
CHAPTER I.

Picture 10 yourself the most charming
Of mOrnlng-roons, IN the most pictur,
eSque and comfortable Of country man.
slons, the brightest and most invigoratng
Of spring MORNINGS. the sweetest Of >ilvan
views from the ling, wide open windows,
and you will have the surroundings Of
the two ladies am about to introduce to
you.
One-the elder Of the two-lay back in
a lounging chair where the morning sun
streaHhed in most warmly, lazily pulling
and fonding the delicate ears Of a gray
hound, who rested hia slender muzzIe in
her lap, in sleepy enjoyment Of the sooth-
ing process. The other stood beside one
Of the opened windows, her hands behind
her, looking out. Beyond this, she was
doing nothing, not even thinking.
'RoSamond, my dear, said the seated
lady presently, do you know have just
been thinking you are the luckiest crea
ture in all the worldly | don't suppose
you ever had a wish that somebody did
not rush to crafty. AS to real want
that Sou never could have had, nature aud
fortune tocs suctf loving care n you
Yes, my dear, depend upon it, all the
fairies were asked TO your christening
even that ugly old thing that worked so
much woe TO the poor beauty in the fairy
tale, was not forgotten, but came charged,
Iii be bound, with some rare gift
THAT of enabling me to see a flaw in
what looks perfect to all other eyes, per
haps, answered the lady By the window,
in rather a doleful tone.
The other gave her chair a sudden
wheel, that enabled her 10 see the face o.
her companion. II was fair face to look
upon, of that order Of beauty often seen
in the pictures of one of the greatest o
living English painters, with large tender
eyes, aud rosy childlike lips. Both eyes
and lips now wore the expression of q
grieved infants.
a flaw in your lot, my dearF the elder
lady went on, composedly. No; thai
would indeed require the most powerful
Of mental microscopes to detect. viii
youth. beauty, Of course, more money
than you can spend, this delightful Ole
house to live in, the most charming o.
guardians 70 pet you, the handsomeSt anC
best.natured man in the world to makl
love to you, and sober. sensible hicnd
like myself to give you good advice. But
perhaps I'm the flaw. Never hesitate tc
confess 1t, my dear, ii that's it.
Nonsense, Harriet! and the sweet face
turned towards her half smiling. Never
theless, two large tears were quivering be-
tween the heavy brown eyelAsheS.
What crying, Rosamond Ny dear
child, is there really something wrong ?
exclaimed the elder lady in very differ
ent tone, and with surprised lace.
% Harriet, I'm a miserable woman I
and with this tragic exclamation, MISS
Rosamond Burlington threw herself on q
sofa, and cried real hearty tears.
Harriet Brauchamp locked on stupe6ed;
then she rose, and going TO seat herself
betidc ber friend, drew that pretty golden
head on to her kind breast, kissed and
caressed IL
My dear Rosy, to think OF my laughing
and talking nonsense when you had really
. trouble | shall never forgive myself.
But tell me what it is Even if can't
set it right, | can sympathize, and that's
something, dear, in trouble
But, ah, Harriet. perhaps you'll not al.
! low this to be a real trouble; and yet it is
the m2st real and the worst
NV poCr pet, what can it beH Your
..,,.r. old guardian would put his hand
IN the fire, OrgO out in an east wind, or dc
any other nnle"r OF tolns: : sooner =" wn 'nan mar
be angry With yOG;r; and 10 to- 40 S you os, Jus,
tice, you are always tEs 0e:' ~"G ~; oS' ""
.duiifui OF Rostrs and don't g''e n'm any
cause, even Il he we're the most i'aSclole
aud tsroeiOus Of guardians so it cant DC
that. IL "A I ..-.-.- ..'4-- .--
UhyGnn. no y .2
Then what can It bei' Miss Beau
champ considered, bending her dark brOwi
in perplexitS. ;-,4ey T.~.e.-
Rdsanond %ePt Oh: -
1T can't be; no, It raHtta aAythinl
! about Jack !? * l-s