The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-05-07
Select Story.
ROSE fORRESTER'S ESCAPE.

Everybody enyies Rose Forester
The pale girl in gold-coored silk, lifted
the broad lids from her clear eyes for a mo
ment, as the speakers words reached her
ear; then she bent over the photograps upon
her lap again.
She handled the pictures with an enthusi
astic appreciation of their wotth, so absorb
ed in their examination as to be totally un.
conscious of the tall, fair man who stood
quite near, looking at her with an apparent
suddenly awakened interest.
Belonging to such nice fanny, an heir
ess so beautiful
The continued words of the speaker reach
ed Howard Manly's ear, but evidently Rose
Forester did not hear them. She turned
with a sparkling smile to her hostess. and
WAS still talking with her of the photographs
when Mr.. Clinton brought Howard Manly
up for an introduction.
As she rose in the full light it revealed
that she was very young, scarcely 20, yet
tall of stature and with a certain marked re
pose of manner.
Her beauty was not cOnspicuous-she was
too pale yet ManIey saw how perfectly cut
was every feature, how clear the dark gray
eyes, how dark the curling lashe, The lips
shut over teeth as white as milk, and the
contour of the face was a perfect oval,
The girls natural and spontaneous man
ner 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, penetra-
ting eyes, the unusual grace of figure, the
tautless dress.
Her manner was so cordial and friendly
and Enthusiastically charming that Manley
racked his brains for the chance of next
meeting, but was obliged to abandon il
when Miss Forester was joined by hel
brother.
She left the room, but instantly he thanked
his good fortune at the finding of a ruby
scarf pin which he recognized as hers. |
was easy to decide the ornament too valna
BILE to be entrusted to a messenger, 1t wa
a presumption which he would manage Will
ease to call upon and restore it,
Rose was not belle. She had too mucl
depth and passion of nature to ever be so
ciety woman; but she had her admirers, an,
out of them she soon chose Manley
She could not tel why, but his looks
words, every act had a charm for her,and tn
eloquent blood tipging her cold cheek a
his approach told him the story Of hi
power,
He was proud mani he might well hav
been happy one-bLt he often bore an Al
of noticeable weariness and depression. This
in answer to Roses gentle inquiries, he a
uibuttd to ill-health.
Spring was opening with its vivid SUI
shine its balmy air, and Rose was very hal
py. It seemed to her that it was the plea
ant influence Of the season which made h'
daily ways SO ligh'; the tender colors, sigh
aud sound surrounding her daily walk Wit
Nanley IN the park, which made them :
nj,yabe.
Perhaps they helped to make her spir
srr,u. 50 that -he dared lay to herself,
love blm" and say it without reservation {
f.ar; ilr she knew that it was but 3 lit
while since she first met him, and of h
pas; history and much OF his present 81
knew nothing.
No; she feared nothing for herself.
loJe and be surrounded with tenderness W
happiness enough for her she asked for I
more. Yet some instinct or trace of world
wisdom made her withhold her confien
from her brother, who was her guardia
he knew nothing Of the intimacy.
From the night she had first met Mani
at Mrs, Clinton's party, she never knew al
one who knew him intimately He told h
that he had no living female relative-l
home,
He evidently had means at command, al
procured Tor her, with an ingenuity whi
was almost genuine the rarest and most bea
tiful gifts, Her delighted reception of the
seemed mutual joy which prevented al
possible feelings Of obligation on her sic
In truth, full OF the passionate impulses
youth she was deaf, dumb and blind I
anything but the lulness of the present.
Her brother came into the music roo
where she sat at the piano, dreamily pla
ing, one day.
Rose, will you give me your attention
few minutes%
lie held an open letter in his hand.
Twas twenty years older than herself a wor