The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-29


gers, stepped within the kitchen door.
''Why, where has Rose been this cold
disagreeable dayp' hequestioned, rather
sharply.
Mrs. Merton called his attention to
the broken range and acquainted him
with their domestic tribulations.
'Well, now, that's too bad! But
johnson shall come tonight. I'll bring
him myself. And Pm sorry Rose has
had such an awful walk"
~ didn't mind it Bit" said Rose,
smiling brightly at his solicitude, .'and
didn't think it was so dreadfully cold;
at least, not until was coming home.
And, auntie, I've thought how we can
get the pies baked this very afternoon!
Out in the old oven in the wood
house."
II don't KNOW" objected Mrs. Mer-
ton, "we haven't used that oven for six
or seven years; but / suppose we can
use it."
II should think so; only it must be
awfully dirty, and needs IA good over
hauling, and it'll be cold work carrying
all the pies out there. But, if YOU think
they can manage it, I'll clean it out
while you and Rose get some dinner
Father'll be up in few minutes"
His mother thought they could man.
age, and Rose was sure they could; and
SO the young man went off to the wood
house, while Rose laid the dinner-table
and Aunt Susan carved some cold meat,
made tea, and got q plentiful supply of
cake, pie and preserves in lieu of warm
vegetables.
They were all at the table before Rcu-
ben, who had been twice called, came
in from the wood-house, washed his
hands and joined his parents and cousin
at dinner.
1T was no small job to clean out that
oven, can tell you," he laughed. "Be-
sides all the dust, and cobwebs, and
fallen mortar, those children of Aunt
Caroline's. when they were here last
Summer. had played in it, and about
filled it with berries, flowers, and mud
pies; and they left some dolls clothes
in it; and found letter ofyours there,
Rose. / don't suppose it is of any ac-
count. Some old oneP" rather ques-
tionly, as he drew the yellow, smeared
envelope from his pocket and handed it
across the table to her.
mo; not of any account" said Rose.
giving one glance at the address, and
thrusting it into her pocket, and taking
big swallow of tea to keep her last
mouthful of cake from choking her.
"Well, l got it clean at last, and built
roaring fire in it" resumed her cous-
in, sand I'll rake it down and carry
out the first batch of pies for you, after
I've seen the cattle fed
'Thank you. That's NICE" nodded
Rose. May be excused now?"
And away the girl flew to her own
room to tear open the letter Reuben had
brought her, and which was addressed
in Ralph Dornton's handwriting. She
had said, truly, that it was OF no ac-
count-no account, nOw-but she could
not rest until she had read it.
She had but moment to spare, but
it was long enough TO read the brief,
fervent lines
"ROSE,-I am compelled to leave home very
suddenly within few hours, to see my uo-
Their. She has had sudden and dangerous re-
lapse, and my duty to her necessitates my go
ing without even farewell to you. How 1
from you don't know, for have learned to
love you so dearly that am only happy when
] am with you. Iwrite this instead of saying
It, because l cannot wait until my return to
darling are to me. i have dared to hope that
you love me and will marry me- If my hopes
are founded upon truth, will you write to me
Immediately, saying you accept me as
0u' '"''" aRA IflsH DoRNToN.
"P. S.-If you cannot say'Yes' to all hope
and ask, do not write me at ALL
And to realize that she had put from
her forever the cup of happiness! She
bathed her head with icy water to still
its throbbing, and thrust the letter over
her heart, it might be to ease its aching,
and went down and slipped softly out of
the side door, and ran nearly all the way
to Hardwood, which was half a
mile from the farm. There she handed
note to the servant, and started rap
idly for home again. The note was adj
dressed to Mr.. Dornton; and as that
young man was reading in the sitting
ROOM it soon fell into his hands. He
tore it open to find another envelope,
and upon it, written in girls fine
hand:
" This never reached me till today;
''ROSE MERTON"
He glanced at the letter, his letter to
Rose In June, ana then wilma very saw
age exclamation dashed out to the boy
who had been sent to the farm with it,
and frightened the lad into confessing
that he did not deliver the letter to Miss
Rose in person, but to two little girls
who were playing in the yard.
"rve half a mind to thrash you with
in an inch of your lifer' he muttered, as
he flung saddle on his horse; ''and ]
may yet, too"
Then he dashed away into the dark
ness. And Us he fairly flew over the
frozen road he came up with Rose be-
fore she reached the gates of her home.
"Rose, is it youp" he cried, throwing
himself from his horse. And though
she made no answer he knew, and
caught the tired, trembling girl in his
arms.
ut is you. darling. Tell me that
that do not come too later' and he
knew by the way her head sunk upon
his shoulder what his answer was.
A few minutes later Rose and her