The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-08-09


street Aunt Margaret shook her hea
sadly ~ tho young girl ca me and sat nea
her. and then she said In voice thai ha
lost all IL old time decisive ving;
sRosaiind. I have a favor to ask OF you
II is now q year since Mr., Ro. yers aske
me to be his wife. and though | must bs
lieye that be 10 unworthy ! should like
visit the prison workshop where hc trnde
es out his life. suppose il is justice bn
it seems so hard for human beings TO b
kept year after year. deprived OF freedom
Of eompanionship and Of pure sunshine.
She worked her thin hands nerycusly
while the young girl regarded her plying
lly.
"You know how fond be was Of roses.
She put her hand up to her throat. "Ther'
is a little scar here that he .unwittingl,
made. Alas. there is deeper scar on m,
poor heart
| She had grown 80 into the way OF be
moaning her cruel fate that she had los
all constraint before her niece.
III you would 60 with me we would
take lot Of flowers and give them 10 the
poor convicts The ladies' flower missior
would furnish credentials that would in
sure our admission. viii you go with
me? cannot go alone, and II seems as
though must see poor Mr.. Rogers at his
work. do not wish to hold any conver-
sation with him. wish 10 see how his
eyes will light up when he sees the roses
he loved so we'll"
Poor Aunt Margaret's voice was filled
with pathetic earnestness, as though her
tender heart was breaking, but it was the
younger woman's turn to grow hard heart.
cd.
"You have no mercy upon me, said
Rose coldly. "will is going away because
you will not give your consent. Why
should be merciful to your
Again the withered hands clutched each
other nervously and the faded eyes grew
almost CLASSY.
If you will consent to our marriage ]
will 60 with you as often as you wish, and
do all that can to cheer you and this Mr..
Rogers" continued Rose.
1t was bitter struggle, but Margaret
Maitland yielded. As soon as arrange
mcnts could be made the two ladies, armed
with numerous bouquets presented them
selves at the portal of the reformatory in
stitution where the unhappy Mr.. Rogers
was doing penance for his transgression.
"You will please not to speak to any OF
the men,, admonished the prison official.
as he led the way into a long room where
q great multitude OF men we're working
stolidly away. Some Of them smiled at
sight Of the fragrant flowers and the fair
young donor, while others seemed totally
indifferent
"Where is Mr.. Lafayette Rogers?" asked
Rose, who failed to distinguish him in the
motley crowd.
That's him just beyond there. putting
soles On shoes. answered the keeper, and
Rose looked in the direction indicated.
~. .s~"t Ma-oaret'a eyes seemed to have
recovered their former keeness, for she
had already singled him ont and taken
step toward him, when ho turned his head.
II the change in his former lady-love
was great, the change in himself was even
greater. His hair was cropped short to
his bullet-shaped head, and the flowing
moustache, which had hitherto hidden his
wide sinister mouth, resembled the bristles
Of tooth brush. both in color and length,
for the lack Of dye had robbed both hair
and moustache Of their former raven hue,
and the cruel shears had done their work
efiectually. He scowled savagely as he
recognized the visitors, and muttered as
Rose presented q beautiful bouquet to him
for Aunt Margaret had drawn hastily back
and dropped her remaining flowers upon
the floor.
Cursed rubbish" he said, and then he
his work with never glance at
the two philanthropists.
"He's hard lot, said the official in a
low tone, and then he added in alarm, for
Aunt Margaret's face had become OF q
corpse like hue. "Are ye fainting, ma'am"
Lets go out into the air" gasped the
elder lady, aud they made their way from
The building as speedily as possible.
Il feel that thorn in my throat now and
| shall hate that scar as long as live, but
my heartache is cured. said Aunt Marga-
ret vindictiyely when they reached home,
md three months later. when Rosalind
changed her name to Vernon,
he smiling spinster had recovered nearly
III her former good looks save for her
hair and few wrinkles. Spring
field Sunday Republican.