The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-10-07
ROSE FORREsTER,s ESCAPE.
By 3. $. h.

ls
The pale girl, in gold-colored silk, lift
ed the broad lids from her clear eyes for
q moment, as the speakers words reached
her ear; then she bent over the photo
graphs upon her lap again.
Every item of her person and dress
spoke the patrician, yet there was moth
ing of fashionable ennui in her air. She
handled the pictures with an enthusiastic
appreciation Of their worth, SO absorbed
in their examination as to be totally
unconscious of the tall, talr man who
stood quite near, looking down upon her
with an apparent neutrality-suspicious. IN
terest.
Belonging to such 3 nice family,
an heiress and SO beautiful -
The continued words Of the speak
er reached Howard Manley's ear, but ev-
identity Rose Forester did not hear them.
She turned with sparkling smile to her
hostess, and was still talking to her Of
the photographs, when Mr.. Clinton
brought Howard Manley up for an intro
duction.
As she rose in the full Light it revealed
that she was young, scarcely twenty, yet
tall Of stature, and with marked repose
IF manner.
Her beauty was not conspicuous she
was too pale yet Manley saw how perfect
~ clear cut was every feature, how clear
the dark eye, how dark the curling lashes.
The ripe lips shut over little teeth as
white as milk, and the contour of the
face was perfect oval.
The girls natural and spontaneous
manner told that she gave the young
man, at first, no unusual attention.
Little by little she observed him-the
fair hair shadowing the white forehead,
the dark blue, penetrating eyes, the I'M
usual grace of figure, the faultless dress.
Her manner was so cordial and friend
~, and Enthusiastically charming, that
Manley racked his brains for the chance
of next meeting, but was obliged to
abandon it when Miss Forester was Join
ed by her brother.
She left the room, but instantly he
thanked his good fortune at the finding
Of ruby scarf pin, which he recognized
as hers. It was easy to decide the orna.
ment too valuable to be entrusted to q
messenger. It was presumption which
he would manage with ease to call upon
her and restore.
Rose was not belle. She had toe
much depth and passion of nature to ev.
er be society woman; but she had he,
admirers, and out Of them she soon chose
Marley. 2 ba
She could not tell why, but his looks,
words, every act, had charm for her
and the eloquent blood tlnging her cheek
at his approach told him the story of hie
power. e.
He was 9, proud mamie might well
have beensS happy one-but he often
bore an air Of noticeable WEAKNESS and
depression. This, in answer to Roses
gentle inquiries, he attributed to i'll
health.
sunshine, its balmy air, and Rose was
very happy. It seemed to her that
it was the pleasant influences of the sea.
! son which made her daily ways so light
the tender colon, sights, and sounds sur.
| rounding her daily walk with Marley in
the park, which made them so enjoyable
Perhaps they helped to make her spir.
it strong SO that she dared say to herself
II love him !" and say it without reserva.
ton or fear; for she knew that it was but
| little while since she had first met him
| and OF his past history and much OF his
present, she knew nothing.
No, she feared nothing tor herself
To love, and be surrounded by tender.
ness, was happiness enough tor her; she
asked tor no more. Yet some instinct OF
trace of worldly wisdom made her with.
hold her confidence from her brother
who was her guardian he knew nothing
Of the intimacy.
From the night she had first met Man.
ley at Mrs. CInton's party, she neve,
knew him intimately.
He told her that be had no female rel
atives-no home.
He evidently had means at command,
and procured for her, with an ingenuity
that was almost genius, the rarest and
most beautiful gifts. Her delighted re-
ception of them seemed a mutual Joy
which prevented any possible feeling Of
obligation on her side. In truth. full OF
the passionate impulses of youth, ahe
was deaf, dumb, and blind for anything
but the tullness of the present.
Her brother came into the music room,
where she sat at the piano, dreamily
one day.
e.. "R F e viii you q give me your attention
He held an open letter in his hand.
He was twenty years older than herself,
world-wise, prudent man.
s'Dr. Wingrove proposes for your hand.
You are aware that 1t will be a very ad-
mirable match, are you mott"
Rose had strange, stunned feeling,
yet she bowed family. From childhood
she had been greatly under her brothers
control.
II should like to write him favorably.
Rose. Have you any objectiona"
al" she found herself upon her
feet, sh1vering in the May sunshine.
II would have a little time, EDWIN .
Certainly, it you wish,'' though his
brow slightly clouded. s.The doctor will
not probably look fer an immediate an
swer.'' ~
The next moment Rose had escaped
from the room, and was locked alone in
her own chamber.
During the next two hours she hardly
knew what she was doing. She found
herself walking the floor and wrinpino