The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-03-24
BROUGHT TO TUE PoIST.

pretty picture, novthat art delights in |
depicting modern young ladies in
costumes and gentlemen of the
period, instead of god and goddess in
nothing particular. Rosie was ike
her name, having a dear little face with
a rosebud mouth, and being very pleas
ant to look upon, and Captain Slade, |
who was evidently of that opinion also, |
looked well matched with her, being as
fine specimen of a gentleman as you |
might wish to see. n
aWen, that depends on ghat you
mean by the word, Miss Brandon ne |
replied, rather abstractedly. 1T has
a rather wide signifcation-
"I mean" she said, laying her pen
Gil down, and still more serious, that
if you love any enc very, very lauch, it 4
is possible that they may come to you
after death-just possible, you krowgn
she added. Don't reason re out of
the idea, as 1 know you are going to-
do. Like to believe it -
"Then Iwont say word about 1t,
said he, his face suddenly flushing;
"but in turn I viii ask you a question
of far more importance to me. have
been afraid 10 say anything about it,
for YOU are SO much to good for me-
but I can't keep keep quiet sny longer.
Rosie, my darling, do you think you
could
seMr. Smlthers, if you please, miss :
and at this importune moment lank'
young curate was ushered In.
Was ever anything more provoking I
Rosie felt as If she could have cried
with vexation, and the Captain glared
at him as Il his coming were personal
insult. Mr.. Smithers, however, being
preoccupied and short sighted, saw
neither Arthur's frown nor Rosie's
blushes, and plunged into the account
of school-treat preparations, the wid-
ows' tea, etc.
By the time these subjects were ex-
hausted, the family party had collect
ed. and any chance for q further tete-a-
tete for the two was gone. Arthur
stood pulling his moustache, and now
and then furtively looking at Rosie,
who drew diligently, though, it must
be confessed, more to the detnment OF
her picture than otherwise.
"Have you any commission for me
in town, Mrs. Brandon ln he sad at
last, ruefully looking at his watch. I"
have to go up to-day on business, butt
only stay the night.
If Captain Slade would bring home a
valuable brooch. which had been re-
paired, it would be so much safer than
sending it through the post, and line
to the leweler would be written IN a
moment. When the note was written,
Arthur took leave of all of Rosie's sis
ters In order, and then coming to her,
held out his hand with wistful look.
The soft little fingers were trembling
with cold, but he felt sure they slightly
returned his pressure, and he went
away happier, though disappointed.
go. Mrs. Brandon, what do you
thinkf'' exclaimed Miss Smithers,
bursting the next day into the room
where that good lady was sewing.
There has been such railway accidentl
The train from London has been run
into and ever SO many people killed
Poor Mr.. Binks, and Mrs. James at the
corner, and that good looking young
Captain Slade, and
"Captain Sladel How very shock
ingln cried Mrs, Brandon "We know
him quite well, and-oh, dearl my
diamond brooch why, Rosie, my
child, what is the matterin
For poor little Rosie, with dreadful
look in her eyes, and her lips parted,
was standing close at hand4 As her
mother spoke, she made step forward
and fell fainting. Mrs. Smithers de-
parted amid the general confusion, to
remark confidently to a favored friend
or two that Bose Brandon had fits, and
she had just left her IN one. She al
ways thought that red and white com
plsxion really very unwho holesome, though
people admired 1t.
When Rosie opened her eyes again,
In bewilderment that slowly grew to a
dull. intolerable pain, she steadfastly
refused to answer the questions that
were asked her. aI want to be alone,
quite alone" moaned the poor child,
and so they laid her on the drawing
room sofa. How shockingly bright
was the summer day nowl though only
a short time since the sunshine had
seemed to accord so well with her hap
DIV heart. They closed the Venetian
blinds, drew heavy curtains over the
glass door that led into the garden,
leaving It open, that breath OF an
might steal thr ough the folds, and left
her-to have nice little sleep, they
said.
A nice sleepl What mockery all
the tender household sayings had been
to herl None knew of her grief, fol
Rosie had been shy of speaking of hel
scarcely found happiness. She felt as
if the past and future had been blotted
out, as if nothing could ever happen
again-eEer had happened-but this
one horrible event And yet she won
dered why she did Lot cry. Did she
love him less than her pet canary that
died last week. No, not last week
wears. ages ago, when she was herself
and had a heart instead OF this leader
weight that did not feel, only pressed
all the life out of her. -. ,.-
Oh, if she could die and go to Arthur
But she could not die. Sc would go OF
living length of years, and her you'll
would pass, and wrinkles come, and he
pretty hair grow thin; and even hel
love would fade in the long years, only
leaning her sad, spiritless old maid
And poor little Rosie's mind wandered
in these sad labyrinths of thought, houi
after hour, as she lay in the darkeneC
room One memory after anothe,
passed before her, each more full o
pain than the other. Only yesterda.
she was sitting at her drawing, and sh
saw him coming in from the gardel
through that very door, now so heavil
curtained.
She lived that scene over agian IN he
mind, feverishly recalling every wor
and look. She had told him an old Il
gend about the house she lived In, an
then she remembered what she had tol
about spirits, and his look, and th
haIf-spoken word How she hated Nj
Smithers for interrupting them. II sh
could only have told one word OF he
Lowell But now Arthur would neye
knew of it. Ali if her belief was br
true, and his spirit could come to be-
and show her that "love is strongt
than the graye.n 49,.