St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-07-24

! do
80, but there is!'' said Rosa.
"Eh?" CALCULATED Reverend Roderic.
"She thinks, and mamma thinks
"Weu?''
"That she might come here" said
Rosa, with her blue eyes fixed full on
the young clergyman face.
Click! click! and the two pieces OF
the severed paper-cutter flew into oppo-
site corners of the room.
"Here," cried MIR. Racquet" to the
parsonage?'
Yes,'' innocently assented Rosa.
'She isn't pretty to look at, to be sure.
but as you yourself said, in your adj
dress to the Sunday school, last week,
beauty is mere nothing; and you'd
find her very beautiful and accom-
plished"
I" 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 mental
duties for the sake of one she loves and
knows as she does you. And so, Mr..
Racquet, she wants to know il 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-year
was Upon him in very truth and fact.
Alton was right, and he should be CO.
creed into matrimony before he knew it.
"I-Pd rather not?' said Mr.. Rae
quet, very decidedly.
Rosa looked at him, half amazed, half
offended
" Rather-not?'' she repeated. 81
don't think Luclla expected that decis-
ion. Perhaps she'd better come and
see you herself about it,
"No, no! she needn't 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.
Yes" said Mr.. Racquet, 81 am
rather busy
"Then perhaps had better bid YOU
good morning." said Rosa.
GOOD morning, Miss Appleton, said
the clergyman, with his eyes glued to
the paper.
"What!' he cried, after the fashion
of the soliloquizing heroes of the stage.
=" Marry that wrinkled, one-eyed bag
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.
Involuntarily 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 herr
Certainly, certainly, Miss Rosa!"
said good-natured Mrs. Megson. "And
what objection did the master possibly
have to it?''
Il 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 water for feel all in hutter.
[ 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
But Roderic Racquet heard no more.
Scattering the sermon sheets right and
left, he seized his hat and rushed down
the back garden to a certain Swallowed
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
ure came, moving softly along like a
shadow, he stepped out and stood di-
rectly in front of her. She started like
a frightened fawn.
"Rosa," he said, ado not be afraid.
II do not think we quite understood
one another just now. Your sister
to take the position which old
Megson is about to vacate of housekeep-
er at the parsonage?''
Eyes, SIR" said Rosa, with downcast
eyes.
"But I should prefer another house
keeper, Rosa," boldly spoke out the
parson. 81 shall prefer you as my wife,
darlingg-my own beloved Gfe-treas-
lre!''
81 never thought of such a thing
said Rosa, beginning to color up and
"Think of it now," went on Mr.. Rae
luet. "Lucilla and your mother can
i've with us, if you like; but you must
De the little housekeeper, my Rosa
And after singularly short period
IT elaboration, Rosa Appleton decided
10 accept the situation.
When Mr.. Alton came in from his
solitary meditations among the pine
groves Roderic met him with a radiant
"Old fellow" said he, "I'm safe!
No more of your leap-year intimidation
or me. Tn engaged!''
so she has asked you, eh?'' groaned
Mr.. Alton.
mo" said the parson, ST asked
Ter. "-Erchange.