The Newtown bee., 1880-12-29

HUI uiug, blle cOQbraSb OI her own Charm Ing smile and warm cordial helpfulness did more than any one thing to make h!m burst the letters which chained him. Their acquaintance had been slight, though friendly, but now a cer- tain amused sympathy grew up in her m!nd--the feeling that they had uncon- sclously acted upon each others fates, and had, so to speak, "been in the same scrape." She felt as well as if she could see 1t the sense of freedom with which he had quilted his native country. Soreness, modification, even regret, he might feel, but through all, and over- mastering all, that realization of escape from what would in time have been intolerable. Did she not knowp Were not her own heart and life expanding under the same influence ?
 '' You will never marry now," her !sssSstther said, half impatient of Rosa iiibndss decision.
 { And she replied, blithely: ssDo you really think so, dear mamma am so glad!"
 Without love of romance life may spring, soft summer holidays, and aut- umn lingerings at the seaside passed over Rosamond's bright head, and each season found her happier. She had youth and health, vivid interests and steady industry, so that every thing that presented itself, work or leisure, study or exercise, nature or art, found her re- sponsive to it's call. Time flew on rapid wings, and brought once more the white pail of winter and the icy blast-that outer desolation which only makes warm fires glow the brighter, and young pulses beat the quicker, in the contrast between the death of nature, and the intense life of heart and home.
 Once more upon an Icy morning Rosa- mond ventured forth, this time with 8 basket which she wished to carry to one of the hospitals. It was visiting day, and she was much interested in one of the pat1ents-a poor seamstress, who in her time of health had spent many 8 long day in Rosamond's cozy bedroom, afterward talking over what she had read with 'her young lady," whose kindness was one of the few bits of sum- shine in limited life.
 Poor Mary" thought pretty Rosa mond. ''She shan't wait for her jelly book and flowers. The walk will do me good. But if could only hide this basket! do so despise looking eoody." She pulled at her warm cloak, and tried to adjust fold over the basket; but in vain. It was more conspicuous than ever in its furry surroundings, while her manifest desire to conceal it gave 8 certain guilty look to her innocent burden.
 Why will not young people look where they are goingP Never was step more fearless and free, and therefore more safe, than Rosamond Vane's; but the one moment of accident or awkwardness comes to all in it's appointed time. She was still bending her head, and twisting her sealskin, when suddenly everything flew out ot her hands, her basket went on tangent, her huff landed in the gut ter, and she found herself flat on the pavement, realizing for the first time one does not have to go down into well to see stars by daylight,
 She tried to struggle up, when sud- denly 8 strong hand raised and held her, and voice, not very well known; but well remembered, exclaimed 1t is my turn to help you now"
 With flush of annoyance Rosamond shook out her skirts, strengthened her hat, and put the hair out of her eyes then, looking up, met Philip Blount's quizzlcal glance, and burst into peal of laughter.
 ''It is too funny" she gasped, as they shook hands, and he rescued her huff, and picked up the basket. But it's con tents! Jelly and flowers mingled their sweetness; and Westward, Hoi plas- tered with snow and stickiness, look ed as if it were flowing with milk and honey. The street was as deserted as on the former occasion; but Philip felt, as he ruefully gathered together the ,J ha I,.ia de, that the man who could walk up any New York street carrying that wretched basket, could storm breach or lead 8 forlorn hope. Balaklava was nothing to it-nothing!
 However, every man can be hero il he chooses. At arm m's-length he held his dripping burden; then turned gayly to Rosamond, and said: Will you take my arm once morep"
 Rosamond was not hurt, not even very much shaken, after the first moment but she took Lis hard. and turned home ward. Mary must wait till another day; there was no use Tn going to tho hospital now.
 When did you returnP" she asked Only yesterday. This is my firs' walk in New York. l was just think ing of my last one, and of you, when vol precipitated matters so unexpectedly Are you sure you are not hurtP "Not bit," she said, merrily. s' know better than to sprain my ankle Don't think, though, that undervalu, your succor; it requires great strength of mind, if not of body, to carry tha basket"
 That day." he answered, 9 little in eoherently, did we not get each othe mutually into scrape, I wonderP wonder, too, whether you have hearG the last piece of news from England l At St. Georges, Hanover Square Mabel, only daughter of Henry Braith waite, Esq, of New York, to- Mis- Rosamond, do you really not know tha Fred Boone is mari ed ?"
 l Her start was irresistible; but it wa a start of relief and joy as much as sur prise.
 'I am very glad," she exclaimed But do you really mean-is it possibl l he has married Mabelp"
 Even so. l was at the church, an shook hands with the happy pair Everything was strictly elegant, an properly arranged, and they are likely t
 live in England for the present" Their eyes met once more, and neithe could resist comical smile, aIthougl Rosamond's color had deepened, an
 Philip thought how pretty she locke in her amused embarrassment. Eve now he was nearly unconscious of whs it was that had pulled at bis heart strings as he congratulated the vel
 matched pair at St. Georges. and su6
 denly resolved, as he passed out of th
 church, that it was no time for 8 man I dawdle away his life in another country
 while work, if not happiness, awaite
 him at home.
 l Need we go fartherp Is it necessar to state in plain words that this was no means the last walk which this your
 couple took together ? Their intimae grew rapidly, and the thread of syn
 pathy which ran through their fat
 only broadened and strengthened wit
 time. And thus it came to pass tn,
 when one day Philip asked, " Rosam on.