Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-28


Rosie was In futter Of intense excite
ment. On the Sunday afternoon following
ncr adventure, when she took her accus-
TONED place In Aunt Eunices pew, who
should she see sitting opposite but the orig
inal OF the picture In her locket, the hero Of
her hemp seed charm
Oh, Aunt Eunice look, there he is b"
gasped Rosie, her heart in her mouth.
$50 see, my DEAR" said the old lady,
quietly; and after service, when the strar.
ger came up and introduced himself as Mr..
Ambrose, she gave him cordial invitation
70 accompany them home TO dinner.
Home with them he went and Rosie was
like one ir dream.
Was ever man so handsome, 30 distin-
guished looking, so noble 4" she burst
forth when he was gone. "Oh, Aunt Eunice
IL poor papa had left me free +"
Wait my dear. When Ben gets home,
he'll see some way out of the trouble Ben
always was clever boy"
And Rosie waited, and learned in the
meantime, that sweetest Of all life's lessons.
the lesson Of first love.
1t was New Years eve. The old sitting
room was hung with holly and mistletoe, the
wide fireplace piled with huge Yule logs,
and out In the great roomy kitchen Aunt
Eunice was elbow deep in cakes and mince
pies, and plum puddings, making ready to
give her son q substantial welcome.
" Poor Ben, he'll like my good things, I'm
sure" she said, as she trimmed the crust of
pie. He always was fond Of something
nice to Sat; and he's been living on birds
nests and puppies and fried mice in that
heather country for 80 many years, he'll
enjoy New Years at home, / know. Here,
Rose, child, run to the shed, and fetch your
apron full Of chips this oven must be a lee
tie bit hotter. Hurry, do +"
Rosie hurried out, but good half-hour
went by before she returned. At the garden
gate she met her hero-her strange lover
and Aunt Eunice and her oven were alike
forgotten.
"Come here, Rosie" he called, " want to
speak to you"
Rosie went to his side with burning
cheeks and downcast eyes.
"Pve come to say goodbye, Rosie" he
said, looking down upon her with his dark
eyes, y" am going away for little while.
You'll not forget me while I'm gone, Rosie 2"
Rosie made no answer.
And you'll wear this for my sake ? Let
me put it on your finger, Rosie"
But Rosie put aside the diamond.
No, Mr.. Ambrose, you can't put it on
my finger"
"Why not, Rosie | mean it for an en-
gagement ring. l love you, Rosie, and you
belong to me, you know, by virtue of the
hemp-seed charm. Rosie, you care for me
Just little, don't you ?"
al care for you a great deal, Mr.. Am.
brose, but cannot wear your ring. You
see that clumsy thing on my finger Well,
that and my promise to my dying father
bind me to another. Please go away"
She broke down utterly, and began to sob
like child.
"But if you love me,"-began her lover.
"Whether l do or not it is all the same.
l tell you I'm plighted to another, and I'll
break my heart sooner than I'll break my
promise"
"Then goodbye, little Rosie ~
He kissed her hand and turned down the
garden path. Rose fled back into the
Kitchen sobbing fit to break her heart.
"My dear, did you fetch the chips ?"
asked Aunt Eunice.
"Oh, auntie, don't; my hearts broken.
wish were dead ~ cried Rosie, burying
her face in the cushions of the corner arm
chair, and bursting into a very storm of
weeping.
Aunt Eunice smiled with infinite content
as she crimped her pie.
"Don't cry, Rosie. Wait till Ben gets
here and see what he says"
"But he's gone-Mr Ambrose, l mean.
He's gone and shall never see him again
Oh dear, if l were dead |"
And all night long, while the New Years
stars rose and went down. she tossed upon
her bed, that cry upon her lips-"I wish
were dead |"
At last New Years morning dawned, and
Aunt Eunice stole softly into the darkened
"Rosie, it is New Years morning, and
Ben has come. You will get up and see. him,
my dear p
Aunt Eunice robed her in her pretty
crimson dress, with dainty laces at the
throat and sleeves then she brushed back
the ripping yellow curls, and fastened them
with spray of holly berries.
"Come now, Rosie, you must go and
speak to Ben."
Aunt Eunice led her down the stairs and
to the door of the old sitting-room.
"Go and bid him welcome, DEAR" she
said unclosing the door, and pushing her
gently within.
One startled glance, one little gasping cry,
and Rosie was in Ben's arms.
"Can you forgive me, RoseP" he said,
kissing her pouting lips.
81 was obliged to deceive you, little one,
or you never would have cared for me- You
do care for me little, Rosie; but l owe 1t
all to the hemp seed"
"No, you don't, Bsn," she answered with
a shy, fond glance; I'm sure l should have
liked you all the same if had never strewn
hemp"
"Then you'll take the ring now, for a
New Years gift, Rosie?"
She held up her dimpled finger. As he
rnt IL m tho halls clan0ad ont opoip in,
honor of the New Years morn. Peace on
earth good will to men," said Aunt Eunice,
softly, as she threw open the shutters to let
the sunshine in. "Ah my children, let us
be grateful for this blessed New Year "
Aud Rose, resting her bright head on
Ben's arm, burst into a food of happy tears