The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-10-20
ROSE FoRRESTER's ESCAPE.

The pale glrl. IN gOld-cOlore1 silk
lifted the broad lids from her clear
eyes for a moment, as the words
reached her ear, then she bent over
the photographs upon her lap again.
She handled the pictures with an
enthusiastic appreciation Of their
worth. SO absorbed in their cxami-
nation as to be totally unconscious
of the tall, fair man who stood quite
near. looking down upon her with
an apparently suddenly awakened
interest.
Belonging TO such a nice family.
an heiress, and 50 beautiful"
The continued words of the speak
( err reached Howard Mauly's ear, but
evidently Rose Forester did not
hear them. She turned with Il
sparkling smile to her hostess. and
was still talking with her OF the
photographs when Mr. Clinton
brought Howad Manly up for an
Introduction.
rs she rose in the full light it IT,
vealcd that she was very young.
f. scarcely twenty. vet tail OF stature.
and with a marked repose of man
ncr.
Her beauty was not conspicuous
she was too pale; vet Manley saw
how perfectly cut was every feature.
how clear the dark gray ewes, how
dark the curling lashcs. The lips
shut over little teeth as white as
milk. and the contour of the face
was a perfect oval.
The girls natural and spontane-
Gus manner told that she gave the
Young man. at first, no unusal At
tention. Little by little she obsery-
ed him-the fair hair shadowing the
white forehead. the dark blue pene-
trating eyes, the unusual grace Of
figure, the faultless dress.
Her manner was so cordial and
friendly and unmistakablv charm
ing that Manlev racked his brains
for the chance of a next meeting.
but was obliged to abandon it when
Miss Forester was joined by her
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. 1t was very easy
to decide the ornament too valuable
to be entrused TO q messenger. It
was a presumption which he would
manage with ease to call upon her
and restore II
Rose was not a belle She had
too much depth and passion OF na-
ture to be ever a society woman: but
she had her admirers, and out of
them she chose Manley.
She could not tell why. but his
looks. words, every act had a charm
for her. and the elegant blood ting
inc her cool cheek at his approach
told him the story of his power.
He was 2 proud mamie might
well have been q happy one-but he
often wore an air ofnouceable weari-
ness and depression. This. in an
swer 10 Roses gentle inquiries, he
attributed TO i'll health.
Spring was opening, with Its viy-
ID sunshine, its balmy air, and Rose
was very happy. Itseemed 10 her
that it was the pleasant influence of
the season which made her daily
WAYS so light the tender colors-
sirbts and sounds surrounding her
daily walk with Manley IN the park.
which made them 50 enjoyable.
Perhaps they helped make her
spirit strong 50 that she dared -lv
to herself. i love him " and say 1t
without reservation or fear for she
knew that i was but a little while
since she had first met him. and Of
his past history and much of bis
present she knew nothing.
No . she feared nothing for her
self To love and he surrounded
with tenderness was happiness
enough for her, she asked for lao
more. Yet some instinct or traceof
worldly wisdom made her withhold
her confidence from her brother, who
was her guardian he knew nothing
of the intimacy.
From the night she had first met
Manlev at Mrs. Ginton's party, she
never knew any one who knew him
intimately. He told her that he
had no living female relatives-no
home.
He evidently had means At COM
mand. and procured for her with an
ingenuity that was almost genius,
the rarest and m0st beautiful gifts.
Her delighted reception OF them
seemed a mutual JOY which prevent
ed anv possible feeling Of obligation
on her side. In truth full Of pas
sionate impulses of youth, she was
deaf. dumb an3 blind 10 anything
but the fullness OF the present
Her brother came into the music
room where she sat Al the piano,
dreamily playing, one day.
Rose. viii YOU give me your at
tention for { few minute. ,"
He held an open letter IN ms
hand. He was twenty years older
than herself a worldwise prudent
man.
"Dr. Wingroye proposes Tor your
hand. You are aware that i viii
be 4 very admirable match, are you
no. -