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

lheif UiOomtuE hosoDud, VINO lay Dack on /
her pillows gasping for breath, the round
young form wasted to shadow, while
bright hectic spot burned on ono thin
cheek, and her sweet blue eyes elittered
with feyerish lustre.
Poor little Rose her short life was
nearly ended now The severe cold caught
on the mountains had terminated 10 rapid
decline, her lungs being weak from con
sumption inherited from her mother
Philip was haggsrd aud worn with anx.
iety and watching aud could not restrain
his tears at the sight Of there latises from
whom he had taken their Aoweret 10 all
ils bright young bloom And Rose Her
happiness was complete now that Frances
had come. She was perfectly resigned TO
die, aud spoke Of her departure with the
utmost eomposure.
81 have had my share Of happiness,
she said to Frances, who hung over her 10
mute despair. "My short life has been
without cloud. II l had lived longer
Philip might have died, or you, aud then
! could not have borne TO live after you.
Comfort Philip, Frances, when | am gone.
He has been so kind, so lenient 10 all my
faults and follies. Tell him that he made
me very happy, but he must not grieye for
me, Ii is better as il is.p
And so the little Rosebud faded from
earth to bloom perfect flower Ia the par
adlse above. But it was hard TO give her
up and to carry home her senseless clay to
the land from whence only nine months
before she had set forth u radiant, happy
bride
Philip mourned for his fair young wife,
whom he had tenderly loved, and the
thought that he had done bis duty by her
and never permitted her to guess his love
for Frances, comforted him now 10 his be-
reayenent. He returned TO New York
after the death Of Rose and threw himself
with ardor into the study Of law, writing
occasional letters to Mrs. Fleming, which
were answered by her daughter in a ralh-
er constrained style. But Philip va.
biding bis time, and kept himself 40
quaiuted with all that happened in Balti
more.
On the eve Of the fourteenth Of Febru
ary, two years afterward, Frances was seat
ed alone in the parlor, her mother hayin;
retired with a headache. She was ever
more beautiful thau when we first saw
her; all her haughtipess of manner having
given place to a tender, melancholy grace
and her dark eyes were full Of soitnes
which told Of unshed tears.
She was very lonely tonight, thinkiu,
Of poor little Rose, aud wondering VIII
all that beautiful and brightness were per
mitted to gladden. the earth for so short
time.
And yet Rose was happy she had, lik
Theela, tasted all the bliss that life ca
offer-she had lived and loved. sam
never to know III Am / to pass throug
life uuloyed?' murmured Frances.
AT this moment the bell rang, and a fe'
moments afterward she heard the voice 9
Philiy Lindsay 10 the hall. How her hear
beat as he entered, and how her vOic
.trembled as she gave him greeting.
Bet Philip was very composed as
shook hands aud inquired after the healt
Of Mrs. Fleming.
81 suppose you are surprised TO 81
met he asked, as they seated themseIye
Eyes; | had no idea you were in town
al came over for short time on part
cular business, 10 fact, and he drew b
chair nearer to hers | have story
tell you, Frances. at will not be vel
long, will 70 back no further than th
day three years ago"
She started, but remained silent.
. II sent Roses valentine" be went O
aba; also sent one to you, aad they we
misdireeted Do you understand? Re-
got the one with the note which | hu
written 10 you, | had asked a friend
] direct for me, and ho made mistak
Can you imagine my despair when l four
, il out, and discovered at tho same momel
that Rose loved me? What could | do
, repair the wrong, save by asking her
, marry me? She accepted me--and l.
well-I suffered, but | kept my sseFs
: aud was enabled ta wako that innoce
child happy. You believe me, Frances
"Yes, | do believe you; and | know tn
you made lose happy" answered Franc,
; with tears of joy trembling in her da
e eyes.
"My noble FraaeOsi | knew that SUI
+ would be Jour answer. And now, if "
0 were to receive that note tonight, VIII
= would be your answer" And he look
5 at her, his brown eyes full of uuutterat
!; loys--loye such as be had never felt
d his fair ehild-wife.
j "PhiliP,' she whispered, II have low
e you from the 6rst."
= These were the same words which Ro
g had uttered on a similar OCCASION, but
had forgotten that; forgotten eyerythil
s but the fact that Frances was his at Ia
], "Philip," she said as her graceful he
e rested against bis heart, fRose told me
{ comiort you.'
b He kissed her as she spoke, and thoue
t that Rosebuds dying words were trI
"lt Is better as It is"