The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-08-25

hclouS, mellow apples trom my
favorlte tree. | soon reused mvsel
from this pleasant reverie as the
sound OF the approaching carriage
tell upon my ear. | ran down the
walk to meet Rosa, when I heard
her eXclaim, 'Oh. there IS aunt
Judith, and soon after she was en-
bracing me afiectionately. She was
more beautiful than | had expected
her face rescmbled that of her dead
mother; she was blonde. with large
lustrous blue eyes and wavy, golden
hair; her face was always wreathed
with smiles. Her form was perfect.
tall and slender; she was graceful
in every movement. / soon came
to love this fair creature dearly she
was the sunshine Of my home. How
often have | listened to her silvery
laugh, ringing glecfully from her
favoritc retreats.
"Auntie, shall we go down on the
beach, this morning ," asked Rosa,
coming into my room a short time
after her arrival.
Certainly, my dear, if you wish
it. | answered. 1t was but 4 few
moments walk, and Rosa soon had
the basket, which she had brought
for shells, filled and was sitting by
my side on a smooth stone, looking
over her treasures.
Aunt Judith" said she. directly,
looking up so innocently in my face
that | could not help imprinting a
kiss ON her pure white forhead.
Aunt Judith, why did YOU leave
all your fricndsand come here to live
all by yourself?a
Because, Rosa dear, ! wanted to
be by myself | grew tired living
in the city, leading fashionable
life, fattering and being hattercd,
and so | determined to seek 4 home
in solitude" | replied.
But, Auntie," interposed Rosa, II
is not solitary here it is the most
delightful place on earth
q am glad that YOU like it, dear, F"
| said, trying to smooth back the
golden ringlcts, which would persist
in straying over her forehead.
Yes, Aunt, like II very much
indeed"
Then taking my hand in hers, she
kissed it, and resting her dimpled
check upon my knee, she looked up
in my face and said: Would you
tell me something that | have been
wanting to know ever since l came
here, but did not ike to ask you ?'
What is it, Rosa -
"Nhv was it that YOU never mar
ried? Mamma told me that you had
several proporals, but refused them
all for some reason.
"Yes, Rosa, it was for a reason,
and | viii tell you what it was If
YOU wish to hear 1t. "
Il want to hear il very much,
Auntie, for | know that you could
have married whom YOU wished as
you are very handsome and very
good" "
There Rosa, do not hattcr me,
please, for you know that | am an
old maid with no pretentions to
beauty"
"Do not say that Auntie. Twenty
seven is not old, and you have such
smooth black hair, and such soft
brown eyes. Oh, how / love brown
eyes :"
| fancicd there was a double
meaning to this last exclamation, as
Rosa's violet eyes had a far away
look in them, and she seemed for Il
moment lost in thought. Presently
she turned and said, VIII You 20
on with your story, Aunt ?'
"When | was your age, Rosa, just
eighteen, / became very much at
tached to foreigner who had come
To America on business, and he
professed to have fallen deeply in
love with me. | thought it true at
the time, but / cannot help doubt
ing tnow. His boarding place was
not far from our residence, and we
soon became very well acquainted.
We were thrown into each others
company almost constantly. If |
went on an GRAND | was sure to
meet him. If | walked into the
grove he would be there. We became
fast friends and | dreaded his return
to England. His business, however,
would not permit a speedy return,
and / was not sorry for it Oh, Rose,
those were happy days"
"Yes, Auntie, but please 90 on"
Time few on rapid wings, and
the day drew near that was to seper-
ate Us. On the evening before his
departure, nc came to bid me adieu.
He asked me to walk with him in
the garden. As we walked along
pleasantly, Philip said,
Judith, let Us 90 and ait on the
rustic seat ut the lower end of the
garden. When we were seated he
said, Judith, have come to bid
YOU goodbye. but | hope that II
will not bc final parting with Us.
wish to tell YOU this before going
away: / lore you. VIII you wait
and trust me, Judith. dear? Nillyou
be my wife,"
Yes" | answered. almost too
happy to speak. Il will trust YOU
dear Philip and will be your wife
when YOU return
We walked until twilight faded
and the twinkling stars with fair
moon shone bright from the clear
and cloudless sky. We promised
always TO be faithful to each other.
We agreed to correspond and then
Philip rose to 90. Oh, how well do
remember hisparting words. Re
member me, Judith, | will always
trust YOU" lie bent and gave me
parting kiss, and then he was gone.
"Yes, Rosa, he was gone, | have
not seen him since, and | never ex-
pect to see him again in this world.
"Oh, don't talk so, Auntie," said
dear little Rosa. please do not
talk so, all love stories end in the
union of long separated lovers, and
why not yours !"
/ shook my head mournfully =?