The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-29
ROSE MERTONs NEW YEARS EVE.

'.Oh dear, oh dear! was there ever
anything so provoking, and to happen
on New Years Eve, too, of all days in
the year It's enough to try the pa
thence of saint" exclaimed Mrs. Mer-
ton to her niece Rose, sinking into u
Kitchen chair and claspipg her befloured
hands in an agony of despair. "To
think the oven should 60 and crack
now, Reuben and your uncle away. and
no one to 60 to the village, and all the
mince pies to baken'
Couldn't 60 to the village, auntic?
If the tinman is in, could bring him
back with me.
Pm afraid it's long walk for you,
child" dssented Aunt Merton. But
from her doubtful tone, Rose knew she
might GO.
1T will not take me any time to get
ready, and l don't mind the cold. I'll
walk rapidly enough to keep warm. Is
there any errand to do at the village
other than to tell Mr.. johnson about
the range, and get him to come over at
once?"
mo, think not, unless you get me
a paper of pins and n couple of stout
darning needles. / don't know as I've
got any that'll do to sew the pudding
up with tomorrow. And tell Johnson
to hurry down here, for all the pies are
ready for bakin'. And. Rose, did put
two quarts of milk or three into that
PAM"
'sYou put three in, auntie, but you
said you would add little more when
you came to fill the pies"
''La! so did. l hope you're wrapped
up we'll"
"Oh yes; I'm well wrapped, really.
And don't tire yourself ont, auntie, foI
I'll soon be back to help finish the bak.
ino.n and Rose let herself out at the
kitchen door, and was soon walking
swiftly over the two miles of frosty road
that Law between the farm and the near.
est village.
1t was, indeed, bitterly cold day
the wind shrieked dismally through the
almost leafess trees; and the skies were
leaden. But Rose Merton did not mind
The buffetings of the wind and her rap
id walking sent her young blood ting.
ling beautifully through her veins and
flaming in sweet pink patches in hel
usually pale cheeks and she felt almost
hilarious rs she sped swiftly along
racing against time. She did the two
miles in il,,, ha|f-an-hour, and ran tri.
umphantiy up the steps of Mr.. John.
sons shop. But her citation was some.
what damped when she found that the
gentleman in question and both of his
apprentices were out, and could not
possibly do thing to the broken range
before Friday; unless, to accommodate
the next day being New Years-they
should work at it late in the evening OF
early in the morning.
''Oh, but they must come tonight"
said Rose. "Here! I'll write message
and leave it for Mr. johnson. 1t would
be dreadful if auntie were not able to
cook any New Years dinner. Some
breakfast 1 suppose she could get in the
fireplace, but she couldn't roast turkey
and things there"
And having written her note and pur-
chased the pins and needles, Rose
turned her face homeward, walking as
rapidly as she could, and casting about
in her mind now Aunt Susan was to
bake the pies. She had just hit upon a
plan, and was really laughing at their
stupidity in not thinking of it before,
when sound of wheels came swiftly
along the road, and then stopped at her
side. She glanced up. 1t was Ralph
Dornton. He raised his hat as she
turned her sweet, flushed face to his.
care you going homer Will you let
me take you, Miss Mertonp There is
plenty of room, you see, and it is a
frightfully cold day for walking"
~ have not found it So" said Rose.
growing suddenly calm and cold, "and
prefer walking to driving, thank you"
He looked serious and almost hurt.
Rose" he said, quite softly, bending
nearer her, may we not, at least, be
friends?"
The young face grew harder and
prouder.
mo; / don't care about adding to my
list of friends. / cannot help your be.
ing an acquaintance, but have no de.
sire to look upon you in any other light.
Good morning, Mr.. Dornton."
The young man raised his pleading
face at that, struck his horse angrily
and dashed away, leaving Rose con.
scious that the day was very cold, the
way very long, the wind piercing, and
the leaden sky horribly gloomy and de-
pressing.
Cant come before this evening OF
tomorrow? And what are we to do,
and you tired out, poor childp" ex.
claimed Aunt Susan, in distress, as Rose
dropped YEARLY into a chair and relat.
ed the results of her walk.