The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-12-23

b /. 3
And her strange companion drew her
hand within his arm and led her along |
the moonlit path.
Rosie's heart beat her SO she could not |
get her breath. The instant they reached
the gate, she broke away from him.
ssWhat ! you won't even stop to say
good bye? No matter, we shall soon
meet again. You belong to me, remem-
Der. No man alive can ever take you
from me; and in token of my claim you
shall wear this"
A. heavy gold chain flashed over her
head, and a quaint, carved locket hung
upon her bosom.
Through the gate, across the lawn,
never pausing once to look back, went
Rosie, sobbing like child in her excite
ment.
Aunt Eunice stood on the steps of the
old farm house awaiting her.
"Why, my dear, how long you have
been! I was Just on the point of start i!
ing to hunt you"
ooh, Aunt Eunice!" cried the girl,
rushing into her arms and beginning to
sob outright. II am frightened to death.
Some one did follow me and speak to
me, and, oh, look at this on my neck"
Aunt Eunice led her into the old fash
Toned sitting room, and by the light OF
the blazing wood fire she examined the
locket that hung from the heavy chain.
aWell,'' she said, looking at the pic
tured face it contained, merry twinkle
lighting her eyes, "the face is very nice
one! There must be something in your
hemp-sowing, after all, Rosie!
ooh, there is something, Aunt Eunice,"
painted Rosie didn't tell you that
Jenny Burr's engaged to the man who
followed hera'' a.s
$50 you did, pet. Well, it it must be
1t can't be helped. You'll have to mar
~ this handsome stranger, and let poor.
Ben and your promise gop N
Rosie flushed charmingly as she stole
glance at the pictured face, but me
tears rose to her eyes. 4
ssNo, could never do hat she said.
II could never break my promise to poor
papa
Rosie was in flutter Of intense ex-
citement. On the Sunday morning fol-
lowing her adventure, when she took her
accustomed place in Aunt Eunice's pew,
who should she see sitting opposite but
the original of the picture in her locket,
the hero of her hemp-seed charm9
"Oh, Aunt Eunice, look, there ne is !
gasped Rosie, her heart in her mouth.
$50 I see, my DEAR said the old
lady, quietly; and, after service, when
the stranger came up and introduced
himself as Mr. Ambrose, she gave him a
cordial invitation to accompany them
home to dinner.
Home with them he went, and Rosie
was like one in dream.
"Was ever man so handsome, SO
distinguished-lo looking, so noble?" she
burst forth when he was gone. cob
Aunt Eunice, if poor papa had left me
free?"
.Wait, my dear. When Ben gets home
he'll see some way out of the trouble
Ben always was clever boy"
And Rosie waited, and learned, in the
! mean time. that sweetest of ali lifet
lessons, the lesson of first love.
It was Christmas Eve. The old sitting
room was hung with holly and mistletoe
) the wide fireplace piled with huge yul'
logs, and out in the great roomy kitchen
Aunt Eunice was elbow deep in cake
and mince pies and plum buildings, max
ing ready to give her son a substantial
welcome.
ssPoor Ben, he'll like my good things
I'm sure,' she said, as she trimmed tn
crust of a pie. Gle always was fond 0
something nice to eat, and he's beer
living on birds nests and puppies AMI
, fried mice in the heather country for 81
, many years, he'll enjoy Christmas a
l home know. Here, Rosie, child, rul
T to the shed, and fetch your apron full Q
4 chips, this oven must be leetle hotter
! Hurry, do!'
Rosie hurried out, but a good hal
q hour went by before she returned. A
3 the garden gate she met her hero-he
s stranger lover-and Aunt Eunice AM
her oven we're alike forgotten.
g "Come here, Rosie,'' he called, F"
t want to speak to you"
Rosie went to his side with burnin
t cheeks and downcast eyes.
"l've come to say goodbye, Rosie, "h
7 said, looking down upon her with ter
Y der, dark eyes. 81 am going away for
= little while. You'll not forget me Will
Tn gone, Rosle?"
It Rosie made no answer.
d sAnd you'll wear this for my sake
Let me put it on your finger, Rosie?"
e But Rosie put aside the sparkling di.
8 mond.
4. "No, Mr.. Ambrose, you can't put it Q
n my finger
It ssWhy not, Rosle9 I mean it for a
le engagement ring. I love you, Rose, an
you belong to me, you know. by Writ
= Of the hemp-seed charm. Rosie, yc
k care for me Just little, don't you?''
81 care for you great deal, Mr.. An
"a brose; but cannot wear your ring. "
1e see that clumsy, old thing on my fnge
Well, that and my promise bind me
another. Please go away!"
She broke down utterly, and began
a sob like child.
er "But if you love me, Rose" beg
If her lover.
be "Whether I do or not, it is all Il
same. tell you I'm plighted to anoth'
er and I'll break my heart sooner than
ar break my promise"
e, "Then goodbye, little Rose!''
sr- He kissed her hand and turned do,
ID. the garden path. Rosie fled back to
on kitchen, sobbing fit to break her heart