The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-12-05

had fallen, and then held it triumphant
ly before the flushed and startled face
by his side.
"See p he said, gayly; " / saved it
from being crushed under foot. Will
you not give it to me?"
But she reached out her hand impul-
sively. "I-I never give roses to
strangers, she replied, with cold,
frightened. angry air. "They are Mr..
Robert Stonor's roses. Give it back to
me, if you please"
"My name is Robert, too," he said,
his dark face changed a little at her
too, Miss Ohassdane. Therefore, may /
not claim the rose?"
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears,
few up and met his. She knew him
then. Frightened and ashamed, and
trembling from head to foot, she rose
impulsively to her feet. He took step
backward, and they stood so, facing
each other moment in the gay unheed-
ing crowd. 1850 .. ,.o..,o, ...
Chow dare you speak to me again-you
are very presuming, sir. will not bear
it. Give me back my flower and leave
me-"
"Nay," he said gently, but in the
tone of master, "is there cause for
anger ?" And in low, reasoning, per-
suasive voice he spoke to her for some
moments, and the rising spirit was calm
ed. In spite of herself and against her
will she was becoming irresistibly at
tracted to this man.
"Give me this one waltz, Miss Chass-
dane, and then will give you back your
rose. 1t will be fair exchange. But
mind what tell you, as sure as there is
heaven above us the day is coming
when you will offer me rose unasked.
Gomez
The old rose-red flush drifted over
the young girls face; his words, and
more than all, his manner, impressed
her as he meant they should. He stood,
with proffered arm, courteously still be-
side her, and, though protesting inward
ly with all her might that she would not
dance, she gave him her hand, and in
another moment they were floating de-
liciously together to the strains of the
seductive music.
, When it was over, Robert led her to
| had not gone to the rooms that night.
She looked very pale. The pretty rose
color had all died out of the sweet round
| cheeks.
care you faint ?" he asked anxiously,
bending over her. "Are you tired :?
Shall I get you some water ?"
"No, mol" she cried, shrinking away
| from him. "I am not faint but look at
Mr.. Robert Stonor. I have offended
him. He is angry because I danced
with you. Oh, what shall do? He is
my cousin, and has ill-health, and he
must not be excited"
Robert Edbury turned, and saw,seand'
ing near him that othe- Hobert, who
threatened to h. perhaps was-no
mean rivc;. His ill-health was evident
One land was pressed to his side as if
to still some pain there, and on his
handsome blonde face, which was marked
by unmistakable traces of confirmed
sickness, cloud of jealous anger rested
heavily.
The eyes of the two men met. and
each knew the other for rival.
A half smile of scorn, as he looked,
curled Robert Edbury's lips. In case
like this man has no pity for the all
ments Of another. With grave face, he
took from his pocket the rosebud and
laid it in Miss Chassdane's lap.
Here is your rose" he said, quietly.
~ restore it to you at your wish. But
remember what I said and believe me,
time will prove me to be no false
prophet"
Without waiting for an answer, he
bowed and disappeared amid the throng
of dancers, seeking her no more that
night.
sis Miss Chassdane engaged to that
man ?" he questioned of his friend Nor
ton.
"Ibelieve there is no positive engage
ment." was the reply. Mrs. Chassdane,
it is said, objects to it."
"On what score does she object :?
Money!"
"Oh, no; Stonor has small, com
pact estate close by, and is we'll off. On
the score of his uncertain health. Also,
they are cousins"
"What is it that is the matter with
him ?"
"Some complication, connected with
both the lungs and the heart, which,
conclude, renders treatment difficult"
"Do you think Miss Chessdane cares
for him ?"
81 don't think she loves him, Edbury
if that's what you mean. It seems to
me that she likes him more as brother.
When eligible attentions are paid to
girls, they feel fattered, you know, and
respond accordingly. Nine out of ten of
them understood nothing of their own
feelings, and mistake friendship for
love. Robert Stonor and Miss Chass-
been like brother and sister,"
frequently they met after that. 1t
was an unusually gay season at Spa
field, and entertainments abounded ac.
cordingly. In the morning drinking
the water, or making believe to drink it;
in the afternoon sauntering in the gar
dens, or on the parade in the evening
at the rooms, or at private parties two
or three times did Mr.. Edbury and Miss
Chassdane meet, and linger together,
and converse with each other. Robert
Edbury's time was his own, and he staid
on. He could have staid forever. The
two or three weeks sojourn he bad in
tended had more than doubled itself !;
for he had learned to love her passion
ately and all the world might see it for
auQht he cared. She too, might see it,
il she chose but whether she did or
not, he could not tell, judging from the
grave and sweet dignity with which she
met and bore back his eager attentions.
At length there came an evening when
he was determined to put his fate to the
test to go on in this uncertainty was