The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-11-06
THROUGH FLOOD AND FIRE,

assure you, my dear boy, am OK.
tremely sorry to appear unkind in this
matter, but, believe me-, am acting TO,
the best"
"But surely may see Rosie as
usual ?" I asked.
am afraid not, replied Mr.. lem.
pie. "It would be very iniudicious.
You are both too young and too roman.
tic at present. Besides, your means are
utterly inadequate to maintain wife. "
"May not bid Rosie goodbye, then p''
pei ''sted. "One more meeting can
not hn t either of us.
"Ros is not at home" replied her
father, gently, almost sympathetically,
as he shook me by the hand. "She
went to stay with some friends yester.
day. Goodnight; and hope for better
days."
Goodnight" ( replied. "I suppose
you don't mean to be unkind, Mr.. Tenn
pie ; but you have made me very miser-
able."
"My dear young friend" he replied,
putting his hand kindly on my shoulder,
"were you in a position 10 maintain a
wife, I would sanction your engagement
in time; but now such course, though
painful for us all, is the only one Mrs.
Temple and I can with justice adopt.
We shall be pleased to see You again
after our return from the continent.
Goodnight"
I made no reply--indeed, 1 could moi
have spoken just then. My throat was
choked with tears, and big drops welled
slowly from my eyes as walked across
the open space facing the house. This
was to be the termination of our engage
ment, then
Rosie Temple and had fattered our
selves that a series of dances, picnics
and parties, with a very good
knowledge of lawn-tennis and croquet,
constituted housekeeping. We had only
| $500 a year between us. and dear Rose
always spent e40 at least on her dress
annually. She had lately been very
economical in the matter of gloves, anC
had made herself bonnet which was il
every sense becoming. Still, we were
not much nearer to matrimony then
and now
So I pursued my way across the com
mon, and do not mind confessing tha
I shed tears as I walked in that darl
evening beneath the trees and into the
gloomy and desolate highroad, caring
for nothing and for nobody except Rosie
my pretty, piquant Rose-wonderinf
whittier she had gone, or had she reall!
gone. Was it not a pardonable subter
fuge on the part Of Mr.. Temple to induc'
me to leave the neighborhood f?
At that time 1 had, unfortunately, NJ
occupation. I had been clerk in
banhing-house, but the "bad times
had necessitated reduction in th,
"staff." and 1 was one of those sen
away at months notice and a month
salary. True, I had small income de
rivable from legacy, but this wa
scarcely enough to keep me in brea'
and cheese and clothing.
II will therefore be seen that Mr.
Temple was quite right. Matrimon,
was o luxury could not afford. I &C
knowledged it even then as I went hom
desponding.
When reached my lodgings foun
two letters awaiting me. One was fror
my brother, who was commanding de
tachment of his regiment in Ireland, til
other from my father'sIlate solicitor.
opened the " "oficial note first.
| / contained only few lines. request
ing me to call on him in London in
day or two, as perhaps might be abl
to do some work for the good-nature
lawyer.
The other letter was most Cheerful
and bore a warm invitation to share m
brothers country quarters for for
night, "or longer if / liked" ne'
month.
Beiere l went TO bed replied to bot
my kind correspondents, accepting bot
invitations.
Navt dav I vent to London, and