The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-07-01
BELLEVUE, La, THURSDAY. JULY |. 1880

1essed Rosa; or rather to be candid
Win you, the trustees don't like her
She isn't very young, you know. and
has some odd, formal little wavs and
only one eye; and the children maLe
no dignity" '-'0 nf'S
Very unfortunate said Mr.. Rae
quet' bending transparent pearl pa
per,cutter back and forth, with the
sublime indifference which we are ali
apt to display towards the tribulation of
othefs. If there was anything could
y, but there isr' said Rosa.
| Err calculated Reverend Roderic
"She thinks, and mamma thinks
"WellP"
THAT she might come here" said
Rosa, with her blue eyes fixed full ON
the young clergyman's face.
| Click! click! and the two pieces of
the severed paper-cutter flew into oppo-
site corners of the room.
"Here," cried MIR. Racouet-..t to tho
parsonage?' ~
=, ", nnoocutiy dSSonLoQ Rosa.
one lsn t pretty to look at, to be sure.
put as you yourself said, in your ad-
dress to the Sunday-school, last week.
beauty is mere nothing; and you'd
hnd her very beautiful and accom-
plished." '0'
- Indeedr' said Mr.. Racquet, frig-
idly.
She has been highly educated.''
went on Rosa. gaining confidence as
she talked; ' but at the same time she
wocld not despise descending to menial
duties for the sake of one she loves and
Knows as she does you. And so, Mr..
racquet, she wants to know if You'll
have her,
A cold perspiration broke out around
the Reverend Roderic's mouth. He
drew back his chair with an instructive
movement of self-defense. Leap-vear
was Upon him in very truth and fact.
Alton was right, and he should be CO.
creed into matrimony before he knew it.
I'D rather not?' said Mr. Rae
quet, very decidedly.
Rosa looked at him, half amazed, half
offended. '.
Rather-not?' she repeated. "I
don't think Lucilla expected that decis-
ion- Perhaps she'd better come and
see you herself about it''
''No, no! she needn' do that" gasped
Mr.. Racquet. My decision is irrevo-
cable.'
And, hurriedly gathering his papers,
he caught his pen and feigned great
assiduity once more.
81 see you are busy" said Rosa.
softly, after an instant of hesitation.
's Yes" said Mr.. Racquet, 'I am
rather busy"
" Then perhaps l had better bid you
good morning." said Rosa.
"Good morning, Miss Appleton, said
the clergyman, with his eyes glued to
the paper.
"Whatr' he cried, after the fashion
of the soliloquizing heroes of the stage.
Marry that wrinkled, one-eyed hag
against my will, just because she wants
some one to provide for her and it is
leap-year! And worst and cruelest of
all, to think that Rosa herself should
come to propose itr'
Just then Rosa s voice, soft and plain
tive, talking to the old housekeeper in
the kitchen below, chimed upon his ear.
Inyoluntarily he listened.
81 know it is very foolish in me to
cry, Mrs. Megson," faltered Rosa,
/" but, indeed, | can't help it! You see,
we heard you were going away next
week, and Lucilla was so anxious to OBJ
tain the situation of housekeeper She's
so middle aged and steady going, you
you know, that it would be the best
place for her."
Certainly, certainly, Miss Rosar'
said good-natured Mrs. Megson. "And
what objection did the master possibly
have to it?''
II don't know" said Rosa, "but he
was so cold and stern and short with |
me. He didn't seem bit like himself. |
And, o! Mrs. Megson, please do give me |
a glass of waterfor feel all in fiutter. |
didn't even have a chance to tell him |
that Lucilla was willing to come with
out wages for the first month, for the
sake of learning the household ways
and"
But Roderic Racquet heard no more.
the sermon sheets right and
left, he seized his hat and rushed down
the back garden to certain shadowed |
walk, which led out to an angle in the
wall, which commanded the high road |
by which Rosa Appleton must return to
her own home, and when the light fig-
lre came, moving softly along like a
shadow, he stepped out and stood di-
rectly in front of her. She started like
) frightened fawn.
''Rosa," he said, edo not be afraid.
II do not think we quite understood
one another just now. Your sister
wanted to take the position which old
Megson is about to vacate of housekeep-
er at the parsonageP'
''Yes, SIR" said Rosa, with downcast
eyes.
''But should prefer another house.
keeper, Rosa" boldly spoke out the
,arson. 81 shall prefer you as my wife,
iarling my own beloved life-treas-
lrer'
81 never thought of such thing"
aid Rosa, beginning to color up and
"Think of it now," went on Mr. Rae
suet. ''Lucilla and your mother can