Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-04-25

A year has passed before we see him
again, and now it is in the capital of the
world-Rome; q salon in the Hotel
Costanzi, a scent of orange blossoms,
and lady and gentleman breaking the
seals of their English letters-Philp
and his bride, the rosebud.
A sad and fatal boat accident had
ended the lives of his two elder broth
ers, his father had died of broken
heart for the loss of his "bonny boys,''
and Philip Lord Kerr had resigned his
commission and fastened to Florence
where Rosie Amherst lived with her
brave old soldier-father and her gentle
mother.
He wooed and won the rosebud of his
dreams, and there was no complaint
this time of a want of lover-like ardor
and now they sat side by side, in an
attitude good Mrs. Russell would have
highly approved of, reading their let
ters.
"By Jovep' exclaimed Phil, Rosie,
look here. You know 1 told you that
was always getting anonymous pres
ents after that foolish affair was broken
off-you know what affair, don't you;
dear?"
Phil here twisted his moustache,
after the fashion of embarrassed Eng
lishmen in general who possess such
an appendage.
"1 know all about it. You were a
very naughty boy to think Of selling
yourself for gold. l only wonder you
did not go behind the counter to quail
ify yourself for junior partner-Rich-
ley, Alpaca, Kerr & Col How very
distinguished it would have sounded p'
Rosie met her well-merited punish
ment for this bit of sarcasm, and re-
cancellation having been established,
which included sundry pulls of Phil's
chestnut locks, that much-tried indi-
pidual continued
"Well, then, Rosebud, after that sad
accident 1 had letter from old Mrs.
Richley, asking me to stay there when
I returned to England. 1 came off so
hurriedly that 1 never answered and
then, you see, started for Florence"
"1 know all about that" replied
Rosie, nodding her head la Burleigh.
"Now, you see, pet" Phil went on,
ing Posi- cannot be published in England
till to-day; but it is more than a fort
night since l wrote to my agent, giving
him my address here, and he has for
warded the letter. Read it, Rosie, will
you ?"
Rosie took the letter. The perfume
of patchouli clung about--it yet, and the
monogram was gorgeous in green and
mauve and gold. An irresistible smile
broke over her bright young face as she
read it.
"MY DEAR PHILIP,-or rather, 1 sup
pose must forget the past and call you
Lord Kerr.-I do indeed congratulate
Il RI
fall to no one more worthily. Your
extended views of life, your liberal
ideas on every point, render you pecu-
iarly fitted to hold high place in this
age of progress.
exampled success since We parted, and
nearly doubled his fortune But what
is wealth to me? 1t is intellect look
for, and that found in you.
"After you left, 1 refused Sir M
Gregor M'Gregor. He had persevered
for some months, but in vain. Could 1
bury myself in that Highland castle,
with his dreadful sisters (three con-
firmed spinsters), and his dogs and
horses2 No. Though he offered mag
ni6cent settlements, what were they to
me? Nothing to what my father could
have given me, less than nothing COM
pared with one memory of the past !
You know me. could not live with
out intellectual society-intellectu
and devoid of bigotry a society in
which you would shine. 1t was my
parents that parted us; I yielded to
their will. Forgive me, and at least let
us be friends to each other. Write to
me that you are well and happy. All,
would that your happiness still de-
pended upon mel 1t would be the
hourly study of your devoted
THEoDos1A."
Rosie fairly laughed aloud.
"Poor old thingI" she said; what a
queerjumble of strongmindedness and
sentimentality But, Phil. you never
loved herr"
"Never, darling, never and l should
have given the same answer Much
obliged, but otherwise disposed off,
even if this precious epistle had not
come too late. She would have bought
me with gold; little sorceress you bought
me with smiles and bushes and price
less love. Heaven be praised for that
Scotch baronet, for l really believe he
came to the rescue just in time; and,
thanks to him, 1 have lost an heiress
and won a rosebud"