The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-18
BROUGHT TO THE POINT.

rr- do you believe in spirits, Capt. Slade ?"
And the speaker looked up seriously from
her drawing, balancing an II. B. on very
dainty little finger.
Those two, Rosie Brandon and Arthur
Slade, would have made very pretty picture
now that Art delights in depicting modern
young ladies in costumes" and gentlemen of
the period, instead OF god and goddess in moth
ing particular. Rosie was like her name, hav.
ing dear little face with a rosebud mouth,
and being very pleasant to look upon; and
Capt Slala, who was evidently of that opln-
ion also, looked we'll matched with her, being
as fine a .specmepAo OF gentleman as you
might wish to see.
swell, that d-pends on what YOU mean BY
the word, Miss Brandon," he replied, abstract
eddy. at has rather wide signiication'
mean," she said, laying her pencil down,
and still more serious, shat If you love any
one very, very much. is it possible that they
may come to you AFTER death-just possible,
you know?" she added. Don't reason me
out OF he idea, as know YOU are gong TO
do. l like to believe it,"
"Have you any commission for me in town,
Mrs. Brandon9" be said at last, ruefully look
ing at his Match. 81 have to go up to day On
business, out 1 only stay the night"
1t Captain Slade would bring home valu-
able brooch which had been repaired, it would
be so much safer than sending it through the
pOot, dDu lluc W tHc J6W6ler COuIQ DE W11t-
ten IN moment. When the note was writ
ten, Arthur took leave of all osie's sisters
IN order, and then coming to her, held out
his hand with wistful look. The soft little
myers were trembling with cold but he felt
sure they slightly returned his pressure. ana
he went away happier. though disappointed.
H. 49,
80, Mrs. Brandon, wat do you think ?o
exclaimed Miss Smithers, bursting into the
pyt wi hot l,a,
sewing. There has been such a railway acct
dent! The rain from London has been run
INTO and ever SO many people killed! Poor
Mr. BInks, and MIS-. James at the corner and
that good looking young Captain Slade, and"
Captain Slade! How very shocking!'
cried Mrs. Brandon. I'VE know him quite
well, ard-oh, dear! my diamond brooch
why, Rosie, my Oh Id, what is the matter?"
For poor little Rosie, with dreadful look
IN her eyes, and her lips white and parted, |
was standing close at hand. As her mother |
spoke she made step forward and fell faint
ing. Miss Smithers. departed amid the general |
confusion TO remark cOnfidentialIy to a friend |
or two that Rose Brandon had fits, she had
just let her ii. one. She ALWAYS thought that |
red and white complexion really very I'M |
wholesome, though people admired it.
When Rosie opened her eyes again. in be- |
wilderment that slowly grew to a dull, intol- |
cradle pain, she steadfastly refused to answer |
the questions that were asked her. 81 want |
to be alone, quite alone" moaned the poor |
child, and SO they lay her on the drawing
room sofa. How shockingly bright was the |
summer LAY now! though only short time |
since the sunshine had seemed to accord SO /
well with her happy heart. They closed the
Venetian blinds, drew heavy curtains over
the glass door that led into the garden, leay-
ing it open, that breath of air might steal
through the folds, and left her, to have nice
little sleep.
Then won'tsay word about it," he
SAID, his lace suddenly flushing; 'but in turn |
will ask you question which is OF far more
Importance to ne. have been afraid to say
anything about it, for you are so much too
good Tor me-but can't keep quiet longer
Rosie, my darling, do you think you could
Mr.. Smithers, If you please, miss" and at
this importunate moment lank young curate
was usbered in.
Was ever anything more provoking? Rosie
felt as If she Could have cried with vexatiou.
ana the captain slaIed at him as if his coming
were personal insult. Mr.. Smithers. how
ever, being preoccupied and short-sigbted.
saw neither Arthur's frown nor Rosie's blush
IS, bul plunged into the account of school
5rcat preparations, the wid,w's tea, etc,
BY the time these subjects were exhausted |
The family party had collected, ard any chance
Tor farther tete-a-tete for the two was gone,
Arthur stood pulling his moustache, and now |
aud then furtively looking at Rosie who drew |
though, it must be confessed. more
to the detriment OF her picture than other
wise.
A nice sleepi What mockery all the ten
Ter Observation-Disclosures had been to her! None
knew of her grief for Rosie had been sbv Of
speaking OF her scarceiy-found happiness.
she felt as if the past and tulure had been
)lolted out, as If pothing could ever happen
gain-ever had happened-but th 8 one horri
lie event. And yet she wondered why she |
ould not cry. Did she love him less than her |
et canary thatdei last week? No, not last
'eek-years, ages ago, wnen she was herself,
nd had heart instead of this leaden weight
nat n did not feel, only pressed all the life out
!, oh, it she could die and go to Arthur! But
ne could not de- She would 90 on living a 8
III 10. vi years and her youth would pass,
' hin ",.nh a come, and her pretty hair grow +
ona go esen her love would fade IN the | Il
,Id 80, ,ea,'' ohy leaving her sad, spirtless
~, ,o.od G ~; ana poor little Rosie's nina wan.
,,,er h AZ ,"ese sau iabyrirths of thought. hour
Jne memory after snother nassad nc. looh'
'ach more full OF pain than the otber n ei, =
yesterday She was sitting at her dro Ohiy
luu saw iim coming in from the oardn,'
through that very door, now so heaviiS o',r i:
ained. She lived that scene over again in sar il
LII ie'eiishiy recalling every word and look =
'ne. nad told him an old legend about the
10 she lived in. and then she remembered
n no que saId about spirits, and his look, and
mi, uam SPOKEN word: How she hated Mr..
lnI'uers ior lnterrupting Them Ifsbe could
MY nave told one word OF her Lowell Rnt now
a, would never know of it. Ali! if her st
eieI were but true, and his spirit could come
ner, and show her that Glove is stronmer to
IAN the grave" 'nse' fl
, All al. at once sudden light broke on the
Illness. She turned her heavy eyes; andJ
IS, I'm mere between the curtains, stood her
Ell! "''nsnlne, looh'pS 'ehoeriy al
line ha nai iaised sherself held out her trcm-
aas nahus and cried: "Arthur my love You