The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-12

gathered about Hanover had been
seemingly scattered to the winds, and
people knew that Miss Violette had
Ijlted me, and also that my money was
gone. The city had lost many OF Its
charms, and ! wrote to the old woman
who had kept the house at Mosswood for
my 1ather until his death, to make it
ready Tor my return. Then selling the
furniture OF my bachelor rooms, and
packing my smaller belongings in q few
small trunks, started home ward.
Imust 60 back to Mosswood and be-
come a farmer. / should find Rosebud
fading gradually away, OF course, and
| yet l knew she would be prettier than
lgrateful had been for that love, Now
/ would make amends. would write
as many repentant letters as were neces-
sary, and she would, of course, forgive
me. No woman ever iorgets or ceases
TO love any man she has ever loved, you
know. Yes, after little maidenly re-
sistance, Rosebud would bloom tor me
again. l was as sure OF this as the train
bore me onward, as l was that the moon
would rise that night.
There 10 no adage more true than the
one that declares that misfortunes never
come alone, but i'll troops. Otten, OF
course, one brings the other. In my
case, The anXieties that had trooped so
thickly about me made me nervous, and
SO led to u severe accident.
Having alighted at u certain station,
L delayed my return to the carriage
until they had started. | remember
running after them, and then--What do
| remember then? Darkness, dreams,
pain, an awakening in tile room, with
white curtains ana a toilet table, anu
a vision charmingly dressed. The sam
one saying slowly: eyes, yes, yes, l
think he'll do"
Aud understanding this was my old
friend Roper, [ asked:
| "How did you come hereW trying TO
sit up, and failing IN The attempt,
| "Wel," said Hiram, "wIfe and l were
at the station, and l saw you were a
great deal hurt, and we brought you on.
You know this is my house.
"Yours p said l.. Sand you are mar
ried and in practice, suppose?'
| eyes," said Roper. "OD, yes; getting
on famousiy. And you've had bad
time, but YOU'LL be on The rignt soon.
Come and tell him he will, Rosebud"
And there--yes, there was Rose. A fter
had ruminaLed on the facts Il few min
utes, | felt that truth was stranger tnan
| fiction.
Are you better, Mr.. Markham?' said
Rosebud, bending toward me.
Here was a poetical story worked out
| in our proper persons. A wounded and
repentlnt hero, l had sent him back to
r Jsebud, TO be nursed and forgiven.
| Had she not forgiven me, she never
would nave flown to my aid. All that |
could do just then was 10 squeeze her
hand.
She took it away rather quickly; but
that was very natural. l had not seen
her for three years. She did not know
OF my contrition. But she had not
| pined or faded; she was, on the con-
| trary, roster than ever.
just then, Dr. Roper being present, l
said nothing, but afterwards, as the
evening shadows fell, she brought me
tea and toast; and then L took her hand
and said:
Dear Rosebud, how good of yOu.'
And she answered: 80 dear, no
don't mention it,"
"Yvu are an angel OF forgiveness" |
said. "Anu IL, have always loved
you, Rosebud. lis true, a siren laid
her spells upon me, but the hallucina-
ton is over"
Il shall think you are wandering
again." said she, 'lf you don't stop talk
ing SO. Do take your toast"
"No," said |, "nO, not a mouthiul,
Rosebud, until you will assure me that
you will forget the past, anu once more
give me the love-
"Mr. MarkhamW cried she.
"Call me Henry said l. "Rose, il
you had hated M, would you be bere so
kindly ministering to my wants?|
| "Here" said she. "Where should |
| 1. in,
nothing to forgive YOU, either. Since
you alude to our Irritation of three
Years ago, and since you Will talk OF it.
| / tell you, once for all, that don't think
that we ever should have been happy to-
gether. And l always liked Hiram the
best, only he was 50 shy. And my good :
ness, we were married as soon as he got
mis- diploma"
"Married?" cried L.
"Why, yes,' said Rosebud. Chow
else should be here? You know tni, is
Ur. R0pers house? DIDN'T you know |
was his vile before? Dear old fellow he
is-the best husband woman ever had,
Pm sure, and Mr.. Markham know now
that never really loved you"
| l don't know whether that was true
or not, but that did nOtmatter. She did
not love me then, and not now, and l
lost her.
live alone at Mosswood now, an old
bachelor with limp, aud the dyspepsia,
and she and a bouquet OF little blossoms
flourish over the Way at Dr.. Roper's.
Sometime, perhaps, lmay marry. Miss
Flint would uaye me and go would the
| Widow Virgins; but Whatever | may
get TO wear over my heart it vail NOT be
rosebud. L threw that away long ago,
and Roper picked it up, and IL makes his
lie lTaUrAHt.