The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-10-07

tribulation of others. IF there
was anything / could do"
''Oh, hut there isl
"Eh?" calculated Reverend Rod
eric.
"She thinks, and mamma"
"Well?"
"That she might come here"
said Rosa, with her blue eyes fixed
full on the young clergyman's
face.
Click click! and the pieces of
the severed paper-cutter flew into
opposite corners of the room.
"Herep cried Mr.. Racquet, "To
the parsonage?'
eyes" innocently asserted Rosa.
She isn't pretty TO look at, to be
sure, but as you yourself said, in
your address to the Sunday-school,
last week, beauty is a mere nothing;
and you'd find her very intelligent
and accomplished"
"IndeedT said Mr.. Racquet frig-
idly.
"She has been highly educated"
went on Rosa, gaining confidence
as she talked; "but at the same time
she would not despise descending
to menial duties for the sake of one
she loves and knows as she does
you And so, Mr.. Racquet, she
wants to know if you'll have her."
A cold perspiration broke out
around the Reverend ROderic's
mouth. He drew back his chair
with an distinctive movement of
self defense. Leap year was upon
him in truth and fact. Alton was
right, and he should be coerced into
matrimony before he knew it.
"I-Pd rather not" said Mr..
Racquet, very decidedly.
Rosa looked at him half amazed,
half offended.
Rather-not?" she repeated. 81
don't think Lucilla expected that
decision. Perhaps she had better
come and see you herself about it."
mo, no! she needn't do that"
gasped Mr.. Racquet. "My decis-
ion is irrevocable."
And hurriedly gathering his pa
pers, hec aught his pen and feigned |
great assiduity once more.
II see you are busy" said Rosa.
softly, after an instant of hesitation.
EYES," said Mr.. Racquet, "I am
rather busy"
"Then perhaps ! had better bid
you good morning." said Rosa.
"Good morning, Miss Appleton"
said the clergyman, with his eyes
glued to the paper.
"What" he cried, after the fash
ion of the soliloquizing heroes of |
The stage, "marry that wrinkled,
one-eyed hag against my will, just
because she wants some one to pro-
vide for her, and it is leap yearl
And worst and cruelest of all, to
think that Rosa herself should come
20 propose it!'
just then Rosa's voice, soft and
talking to the old house
keeper in the the kitchen below,
;himed upon his ear. Involuntarlly
ne listened.
al know it is foolish in me to cry,
Mrs. Megson," faltered Rosa, "but, h
indeed, can't help it. You see, we
heard you were going away next
week, and Lucilla was so anxious
70 obtain the situation of house
keeper. She's so middle-aged and
steady going, you know, that it
would be the best place for her.
Certainly, certainly, Miss Rosar'
said good-natured Mrs. Megson.
And what objection did theImaster
possibly have to it?'
81 don't know" said Ross, "but
ne was so cold and stern and short
with me. He didn't seem bit like
himself. And, oh, Mrs. Megson,
please give me glass of water, for
feel all in a futter. / didn't even
have a chance to tell him that Lu-
ella was willing to come without
wages for the first month, for the
sake of learning the household ways
and
But Roderic Racquet heard no
more. Scattering the sermon sheet
right and left, he seized his hat and
rushed down the back garden to a
certain shadowed walk, which COM
manded the high road by which
Rosa Appleton must return to her
own home; and when the light fig
lre came, moving softly like a shad-
DIV, he stepped out ard stood di-
rectly in frort of her. She started |,
ike a frightened fawn. |,
"Rosa." he said," do not be
afraid. do not think we quite
understand one another just now.
Our sister wanted to take the
position which old Megson is about
o vacate of housekeeper at the
,arsonage?" !
Eyes, sir" said Rosa withldown-
,ast eyes. ii
"But l should prefer another
Rosa" boldly spoke
,ut the parson. II shall prefer you
IS my wife darling-my own below
ID life treasure" I
81 never thought OF such a thing"
aid Rosa, beginning to color up
md tremble.
Think of it now," went on Mr..
Racquet. ''Lucilla and your moth r
r can live with US, if you like, but /
ou must be the little housekeep- C
r, my Rosa" t
And after a singularly short pc !
iod of deliberation, Rosa Appleton n
ecided to accept the situation. e
When Mr.. Alton came in from L
is solitary meditatlons among the b
inc groves Roderic met him with u
radiant countenance. y
"Old fellow" said he, "Pm safel c