Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-04

reached the gate snc DToke away hO"
him.
"What you wont even stop to say
goodbye? No matter, we shall soon
meet again. You belong 10 me, re.
m ember. No man alive can ever take
you from me; and in token of my
claim you shall wear this"
A heavy gold chain flashed over her
head, and quaint carved locket hung
upon her bosom.
Through the gate, across the lawn,
never pausing once to look back, went
Rosie sobbing like a child in her ex-
element.
Aunt Eunice stood on the steps of
the old farmhouse awaiting her.
"Why, my dear, how long you have
been / was just on the point of start
ing to hunt for you"
"Oh. Aunt Eunice r' cried the girl,
rushing into he, arms and beginning
to sob outright 81 am frightened to
death. Some one did follow me and
speak to me; and, oh, look at this on
my neckl"
Aunt Eunice led her into the old
fashioned sitting-room, and by the
light of the blazing wood fire she ex-
amined the locket that hung from the
heavy chain.
"Well," she said, looking at the
pictured face it contained, a merry
twinkle lighting in her eyes, "the face
is very nice one ! Thele must be
something in your hemp sowing after
all, Rosie?'
ooh, there is something, Aunt
Eunice," painted Rosie. Didn't | tell
you that Jennie Burr's engaged to the
man who followed herr"
$50 you did, pet. Well, if it must
be it can't be helped. You'll have to
marry this handsome stranger, and let
poor Ben and your promise &C"
Rosie flushed charming as she stole
glance at the pictured face, but the
tears rose in her eyes.
mo, l could never do that" she
said. 81 could never break my prom
Use to poor papa"
The winter days drifted on in swift
succession, and New Year would bring
Ben.
Rosie was in fiutter of intense ex-
element. On the Sunday afternoon
following her adventure, when she took
her accustomed place in Aunt Eunice's
pew, who should she see sitting oppo-
site but the original of the picture in
her locket, the hero of her hemp and
seed charml
ooh, Aunt Eunice, look, there he isl"
gasped Rosie, her heart in her mouth.
$50 see, my DEAR" said the old Ia
dy, quietly; and after service, when the
stranger came up and introduced him.
self rs Mr.. Ambrose, she gave him a
cordial invitation to accompany them
home to dinner.
Home with them he went, and Rosie
was like one in dream.
"Was ever man so handsome, so
distinguished looking, so noble2" she
burst forth when he was gone. "Oh,
Aunt Eunice, ii poor papa had let me
| free!'
"Wait, my dear. When Ben gets
hsme he'll sec some way out of the
trouble. Ben always was clever boy"
And Rosie waited, and learned in the
meantime, that sweetest of all LIES les
sons, the lesson of first love.
1t was New Years eve. The old sit
ting room was hung with holly and Mis-
tletoe, the wide fire place piled with
huge Yule logs, and out in the great
roomy kitchen Aunt Eunice was elbow
deep in cakes and mince pies, and plum
buildings, making ready to give a son
substantial welcome.
"Poor Ben, he'll like my good things
7 l. 4 A., Il b,N
crust of pie. "Hc always was fond of
something nice to eat; and he's been
living on birds nests and fried puppies
and mice in that heather country for
so 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 little
bit hotter Hurry, dol
Rosie hurried out, but good half
hour went bye before she returned.
At the garden gate she met her hero
her strange lover-and Aunt Eunice
and her own were alike forgotten.
"Comc here, Rosie" he called, 81
want to speak to you"
Rosie went to his side with burning
cheeks and downcast eyes.
I've come to say goodbye, Rosie"
he said, looking down upon her with
his dark eyes, Il am going away for a
little while, You'll not forget me
while I'm gone, Rosie?"
| Rosie made no answer.
"And you'll wear this for my sake7
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? l meant it for an
engagement ring. love yeu, Rosie,
and you belong to me, you know, by
virtue of the hemp-seed charm. Ro-
sic, you care for me just little, don't
your"
81 care tor you great deal, Mr.. Am
brose, but cannot wear your ring. You
see that clumsy thing on my ingerf
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.