The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-31


ooh, let me:go home," cried Rosie, in
alright.
''Come along; I will escort you to your
gate"
And her strange companion drew her
hand within his arm and led her aleng
the moonlit path.
Rosie's heart beat so that she could
hardly get her breath. The instant the
gate was reached she broke away from
him.
what! You won't even stop to say
good oye2 No matter, we will soon meet
again. You belong to me, remember
ooh there is something, Aunt Eunice,' y
painted Rosie. Didn't I tell you that
Jennie's Burr's engaged to the man who
followed herr"
$50 you did, pet. Well, If 1t must be
it can't be helped. You'll have to marry
this handsome stranger, and let poor Ben
and your promise CO."
Rosie flushed charmingly as she stole a
glance at the pictured face, but the tears
rose in her eyes.
"No, could never do that she said.
II could never break my promise to poor
papa" ..---
The winter days drlfted on IN quick
succession, and Christmas would bring
Ben.
Rose was in futter of intense excite
ment. On the Sunday afternoon follow
ing her adventure, when she took her &C
customed 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 charm.
ooh, Aunt Eunice, look, there he is''
gasped Rosie, her heart IN her mouth.
$50 see, my DEAR" said the old lady
quietly; and, after services, when the
stranger came up and in troduced himself
as Mr.. Ambrose, she gave him 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 looking, so njoble?" she
burst forth when he was gone 'Oh,
Aunt Eunice, if poor papa had left me
tree"
"Walt, 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
meantime, that sweetest of all life's les
sons, the lesson of first love.
It was Christmas eve. The old sitting
room was hung with holly and mlstletoe,
the wide fireplace piled with huge yule
logs, and out in the great roomy kitchen
Aunt Eunice was elbow deep in CAKES
and mince pies, and plum buildings,
making ready to give her son substan-
tial welcome. -.s
''Poor Ben, he'll like my good things,
I'm sure,' she said, as she trimmed the
crust of the pie. "He was always fond
OF something nice to eat; and he's been
living on birds nests and puppies and
fried mice In the heather country for sc
many years, he'll enjoy Christmas al
home, know. Here, Rosie, child, run
to the shed aud fetch your apron full OF
chips: this oven must be little bit hot
ter. hurry, dor' . .....
Rosie hurried out, but good half hour
went by before she returned. At the
garden gate she met her hero-her strange
lover-and Aunt Eunice and her chip!
were alike forgotten.
"Come here, Rosie,' he called, II wan
TO speak to you." ..E
Rosie went to his side with burning
cheeks and down cast eyes. y y
GIVE come to say goodbye, Rosie" hi
said, looking down upon her with tender
dark eyes, 81 am going away for little
while; you'll not forget me when In
gone, Rosie9" rs
Rosie made no answer.
"And you'll wear this for my sake. LIE
me put it on your finger, Rosie"
mo, Mr.. Ambrose; you can't put it or
my finger
"Why not, Roster I mean it for an en-
gagement ring. 1 love you, Rosie, anG
you belong to me, you know, by virtue
of the hemp seed charm; Rosie, you care
for me a little, don't you9"
81 care for you great deal, Mr.. Am
brose, but 1 cannot wear your ring. YOU
see that clumsy old thing on my finger
Well, that and my promise to my dying
father bind me to another. Please e
away" . GILL;
She bloke down utterly, and began tc
sob like child.
"But if you love me-, Rosie,"-begar
her lover.
"Whether I do or not it's all the same
tell you I'm plighted to another, anG
I'll break my heart sooner than I'll break
my promise"
"Then goodbye, little Rose"
He kissed her hand, and turned down
the garden path. Rose fled back to the
kitchen, sobbing fit to break her heart.
my dear, did you fetch the chips?'
asked Aunt Eunice.
"Oh, auntie, don't; my hearts broken
wish were dead p cried Rose, burning
her face in the cushions of the cornel
arm chair, and bursting into storm Of
tears.
Aunt Eunice smiled with infinite con.
tent as she crimped her pie.
"Dont cry, Rosie. Wait till Ben gets
home, and see what he says"
''But he's gone Ambrose, I mean
he's gone, and shall never see him
again! Oh dear, if / were deadI''
And all night long, while the Christ.
mas stars rose and set, she tossed upon
her bed, that cry upon her lips-ssI wish
/ were dead.''
At last the Christmas morning dawned