The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-02-14

ner arms round her cousin 3 neck.
"No, she replied, all her pride coming
to her aid, 'i have only a slight headache. "
"Philip loves me" Rose went on, "and
| am so happy. have always loved him.
Frances, are you not glad? You said
you liked Philip"
And she laid her hand on her cousins
shoulder. Frances trembled at her touch.
At this moment she almost hated the girl,
with her blue eyes and iufantine graces,
but her better nature triumphed, and she
bent aud kissed the golden head
ayes, Rosebud, darling, | am glad. |
hope you will be happy"
~ am the happiest girl in the world"
answered Rose, with the tears glittering
in her eyes. "But, Frances, where Is
your valentine9 Perhaps there is note
for you"
"Not from Philip, Rose"
"No, but from some one else"
Frances shook her head, aud opened
the envelope, but no note was to be found
"Let us 60 and tell auutic, said Rose,
as she took her valentine from the floor
and left the room.
Poor Frances she stood for moment
to compose herself before going upstairs
to listen anew to Roses rhapsodies over
her. love letter.
"Oh, Philip, Philip" she moansd, "why
did you make me love you? But you
are not to blame. II was my own selfish
folly"
She went slowly upstairs to her mothers
room, and found that lady shedding tears
of joy over Roses happy prospects. Mrs.
Fleming loved the pretty orphan whom
her dead husband had left to her care al.
most as well as she did her own beautiful
Frances, aud as the latter entered the
room she said
Frances, | am so thankful that Rose
fortune is secure. | have felt so anxious
about the child she will be safe with
Philip Lindsay"
4 few evenings after the fourteenth
Mr.. Lindsay arrived in Baltimore aud took
his way to Mrs, Flemihg's residence
He was as Rose had said, very hand
some, being tall and broad -shoudered
with rich chestnut hair, curling erisply
around a wellshaped head, while from
his clear brown eyes frank aud fearles.
soul looked forth,
As he entered the parlor Rose met him
all smiles and bushes He shook hand,
cordially, and then looked around as though
seeking some one else, but this was mol
what Rose expected; he said he would read
her answer in her eyes, and he had aevel
looked at her At length he sat down
with a disappointed expression Of counte
nance. Rose, poor child, timidly began .
conversation by saying that 'Frances had
gone out of town for few days"
"Gone out of town. Then she wishei
to avoid me-" he thought at is al
over"
"Yes," answered Rose. "IIer aunt hai
been wanting her to 20. for some time,
No answer. nUh,r thought tho girl ~
must have mistaken that letter; what shal
do 2"
She began again.
III received valentine after oil, Mr.
Lindsay"
"Ah, indeed2 hope you were pleased
with it," he answered, abstractedly.
eyes, was very much pleased with it
Would you like to see il D. she said, in /
trembling voice.
eyes, if you please, Miss Rose, wa,
the answer.
She brought the valentine and laid III,
note on the top of it. MaF
Philips face flushed as he saw il.
"Did you receive this note " he asked
abruptly.
eyes" she answered, woudetingly, will
tears 10 her eyes,
He turned the envelope aud looked a
the address.
"Great heavens T. he thought, as b,
crushed it 10 his hand, "what a terrible
mistake This comes of my folly in get
ting any one 10 direct for me. And Fran
ces, my lost love she must have seen tha
| loved herl How base creature mus
she think mel s
He forgot Rose in his despair, and oul,
remembered her existence when a low sol
met his ear. 'a5 ? # p
He looked up and saw the poor chill
with her face buried in her hands, Will
tears triekled through her slender flngcfs
What did 1t mcan2 lie looked at th
crumpled note.
"She thinks i was meant for her. An,
can Il be possible that she loves me T?
see i all. Itis not her fault, and mus
not let this innocent creature suiIcr frOu
my folly"
Il was true; Rose loved him, and o
this moment was suffering axonics 0
wounded lose anaprida Philip benz ove
her. "Iiosebud,' he Whispered. Sb
raised her eyes, now Ike yiolets wet viii
dew, and met his gaze fixed upon her
kindly and yOt with certain pi,y ID, II
which, fortunately former, she did not IN
iestand ~wlat de~y Rosebud !" Ii
said; "why do you cry ?"
ooh, was glad 70 get yonr note, /
made me so happy, and--andn---
"Aud what 2 aid Philip. esaw tina
this fair tiowetct was ready for his accent
anec. Why should he not gather Il al,
wear u in bis bosom? .sAud YOU though
| was amusiug nlyself at your cxpease--
was that Il . Darling iiale Rosebud,
could not be SO cruel, 30 anmsnly An,
now, as he held out his hands, lis Rose
bud mine 7 Willshe bloom for rne alone?
She looked into his isee wish her inno
cent blue eyes s0h, Phillp, Ihave love,
you from the iifstr y
lie clasped her Ia his arms, aud as h,
kissed her he thought 1T win atone: |
is right that should suiIer, but she. vii
be happy
Mrs. Fleming was delighted when Sd,
heard q the engagement and As she had
always liked Philip, when he pleaded %
an easly marriage she could not refuse
But she insisted that Rose must have tim,
10 get handsome troussean; bis friend