The Baltimore County union., 1883-01-27

quaintance made such progress that /
made no objection to his proposal to
walk home in the clear frosty night
So Rose and lawyer Denton, and l and
Frank Ellers made a very merry party,
and went to bed that night with a
strangely happy feeling in my heart.
Next morning he made formal call,
and indeed-though don't know quite
how it happened-before long, he was
always calling on some pleasant pretext
or another. Rose grew quite familiar
with him, and indeed Frank took great
interest in the pretty child, and per-
suaded me to have her voice cultivated,
and to make her practice carefully every
day. When New Years festival came
he made US both presents Of equal beau
ty and value, and | was not jealous
though many girls would have been, but
l loved him all the better for his thought
iul and sensitive kindness. Yes,
loved him. II had come naturally to
= hat : and felt sure that he loved me !;
fbut he was proud and poor, and that
closed his mouth.
How swiftly and happily the winter
passed. Every night we were together.
AT first we went much out, but gradual
ly we fell into the habit Of spending the
evenings in the quiet comfortable splen.
dor Of my own drawing-room. There,
hour after hour, listened to his voice
reading the great thoughts Of great
minds, or blending with Rosa's in some
wonderful, may German melody. |
am naturally reticent where | feel deep
ly, so did not say anything Of my love
or my hopes to Rose, who, indeed, had
little sympathy with any subject unless
it related TO dress or pleasure making,
or the admiration which she received on
the streets or elsewhere. And her sim
pering small talk and silly wonder "what
the men all saw in her to admire her so
much :" was my little daily cross.
But the love in my own heart strength
ened and raised me above every petty
annoyance and when contrasted my
wealth with her poverty, my cultivated
intellect with her want Of capacity, |
did not grudge her what compensation
nature had given her in the blonde pret
tiness of her face or the 1.-THE grace OF
her Pcfife figure.
And so spring came again, and then
another event happened. Mrs. Whit
ney who had been ailing for weeks,
grew much worse, and the doctors or
dered her change of air. So | re-
solved to send her for few weeks to my
farm; and Frank, with his usual kind
ness, saw everything prepared for her
comfort, and then took her and Rose
out there. This was the first break in
charmed length of days which had
been all perfect happiness. Every one
knows how one change brings another,
and therefore was more sad than as
tonished when Frank made an engage
ment which demanded much Of his time,
and put stop to our pleasant evening
amusements. Still fingered in the
city, staying at home every night, for
fear Of missing chance visit from him I;
tSnd, ss time went on, growing half re-
sentful Of his long absences, and more
than doubtful as to their necessity
One week about the beginning of May
was unusually lonely and weary, for
Frank had disappointed me every night,
and could settle to no work, nor yet
make any plans for the summer. All
the long warm days, and far into the
dusky evenings, | sat doing nothing,
thinking, thinking, thinking the same
soft, sad fancies born of love, and such,
"such silken-folded idleness."
Saturday morning / reused myself
suddenly.
al will go out to the FARM" said,
"and il Mrs. Whitney is able, we will
return on Monday, and then 60 some
where, anywhere out of New York. II
Frank loves me, he will come to seek
me If not, then the sooner | awake to
the truth the better"
After breakfast still held myself to
this resolution, and so ! arrived at Wood
side farm in time for dinner.
"Mrs. Whitney and Miss Rose were
out the servant said "they had gone
to the lake, but would be back very
soon."
So went to my room to rest and
dress, and being overcome with the heat
and fatigue, fell sound asleep on the
large old.fashioncd couch. When
opened my eyes it was getting dusk, and
there was pleasant sound of glass and
china and other preparations for dinner
in the little house while toward it,
horne upon the wind, heard coming
Roses light laugh and ripping flow ol
words. l reused myself hastily and
went to the window. Slowly, but mer
rily, up the little avenue, lined witt
blossoming cherry trees, came Mrs
Whitney and Rose-and Frank Ellers.
| was almost shocked and yet, why
should bel | dressed myself slowl,
and carefully, feeling just bitter enough
to make them all understand l was mis-.
tress and must be waited for. Then,
when went down, was sorry ! had
done so, for Mrs. Whitney and Ross
were so glad to see me, and Frank said
che had been up to - street in tho
morning to ask me to drive, and tha
finding where had gone, he had made
bold to follow"
asked no questions. was only toe
readily satisfied and pleased, though al
the evening l noticed Frank was pre-
occupied and thoughtful. Next day be
ing Sunday, we all went to the littl'
: Dutch church in the morning and
after an early dinner, Rose, Frank ant
; went to the lake. II was little shee
Of water, of small circumference anC
narrow width, but il was shaded will
trees, and in some places Of great depth
do not know what possessed me, bu
suggested sail. The boat lay at tn,
| i;,,io ;a,,,, r,.,;,a ronveu;ant and Eranl