The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-05-21
ROSE FORRESTER'S ESCAPE.

her broad lids from her clear eyes for a
moment as the speakers words reached
her ear; then she bent over the photo
graphs upon her lap again.
She handled the pictures with an en-
thusiastic appreciation of their worth, SO
absorbed in their examination as to be
totally unconscious of the tall man that
stood quite near, looking down at her
with an apparent suddenly awakened in
terest.
Belonging to sucn nice family, an
heiress, and SO beautiful"
The continued words OF the speaker
reached Howard Manley's ear, but evil
dently Rose Forester did not hear them.
She turned with sparkling smile to her
hostess, and was talking with her of the
photographs when Mr.. Clinton brought
Howard Manly up for an Introduction.
As she rose in the full light it revealed
that she was very young, scarcely twenty,
vet tall of stature and with a certain
marked repose of manner.
Her beauty was not conspicuous-she
was too pale; yet Manley saw how per-
fectly cut was every feature, how clear the
dark-gray eyes, how dark the curling
lashes The lips shut over the clear teeth
as white as milk, and the contour of the
face was perfect oval.
The girls natural and spontaneous man.
ner told that she gave the young man, at
first, no unusual attention. Little by little
she observed him-the fair hair shadow
ing the white forehead. the dark blue
penetrating eyes, the unusual grace of
figure, the fauitless dress.
Her manner was SO cordial and friendly
and Enthusiastically charming that Manley
racked his brains for the chance of d 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 easy to decide the orna-
ment too valuable TO he entrusted 10
messenger. 1t was presumption which
he would manage with ease to call upon
and restore it.
Rose was not belle; she had too much
depth and passion of nature to ever be
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 IL charm for her, and
the eloquent blood tinging her cool cheek
at his approach told him the story of his
power
1t seemed to her that it was the pleasant
Influences of the opening spring that
made her daily ways SO light; the tender
0s
daily walk with Manley in the park that
made them SO enjoyable.
OF him she knew but little; yet she
feared nothing for herself, some instinct
or wisdom made her keep her confidence
from her brother, who was her guardian,
he knew nothing of the intimacy.
From the night she had first met Man.
ley she never knew anyone who knew
him intimately He told her he had no
living female relatives-no home.
He evidently had means at command,
and procured for her with an ingenuity
which was almost genius the rarest and
most beautiful gifts.
Her brother came into the music room
where she sat at the piano dreamily play
ing one day.
"Rose, will you give me your attention
for few ninutesr 2"
He held in his hand an open letter. He
was twenty years older than herself,
world-wise, prudent man.
"Dr. Wingrove proposes for your hand.
You are aware that it will be u very adj
mirabie MATCH"
Rose had strange, stunned feeling,
yet she bowed family. From childhood
she had been greatly under her brothers
control.
81 should like to write him favorably,
Rose. Have you any objection?"
Ill"
She found herself upon her feet, shiver-
ing in the May sunshine.
81 would have aiittle time, Edwin
"Certainly, if you wish. The doctor
will probably not look for an immediate
answer"
The next moment Rose had escaped
chamber.
During the next two hours sine hardly
knew what she was doing. She found
herself walking the floor and wringing
her hands. Suddenly she stopped short
with sense of pride.
There is no reason-no reason in the
world why dare not tell my brother why
cannot marry DIR. Wingrove"
Doctor Wingrove was the noblest and
wealthy and highly connected, and barely
thirty years of age. He had known her
since childhood, never made love to her,
but now that the offer of marriage had
come she realized, somehow, that he had
always loved her.
Catching up her cloak and hat and ty-
ing heavy black veil across her face she
went out into the street.
She soon walked herself weary without
abating her painful sensation, and re-
turning to the street in which her resi-
Enclosure Of trees and shrubbery which
ornamented the square.
So close to her home she had no timid-
ity, and sinking upon a circular seat
she gave herself up to her absorbing
thoughts.
It was soon dark, yet she had not
stirred In her black dress in shadow,
she was quite unobserved by two men
who crossed the street from the opposite
side and sat down behind her.
She would have risen and gone quietly
away but that the movement was arrested
by Howard Manly's voice.
"How soon?" he asked.
.Now, MY dear brother I'll stand the
risk no longer. I've passed false money
enough for you to shut me up the balance
of my life, and l value my liberty, singu
larly enough" !" sneeringly.
''Well, well, I'm willing enough to go,
Fred. Heaven knows that am as sick
of the business as you can be. Coming
isn't all prosperity. In a new country /
should feel like new man. But"
"The heiress ?'
Il am sure of her, but don't like to
urge hasty marriage. She has an old