The Dickinson press., 1883-08-11

would never consent in the world. I
felt sure she wouldn't. But to my sur
prise and joy, my worldly wise auntie
consented; with some show of reluc-
lance it is true, and 1 believe she was a
truly religious woman, but Rosa paid
good board, and had by no means
proved the Objectionable person as to
her tanners that Aunt Phoebe had an
ticipated she would, besides; later in
the season her parents were expected
as b%oarders, SO she, quieting her con-
science with the observation that "if it
was to be in the house she wouldn't
consent for anything" she allowed me
to go. l suppose the inference was, that
to dance on Gods carpet was not a quar-
ter part the sin it would be were it one
made by wicked man. She need of felt
no e on my account, however, for as a
Christian [ never danced, although not
disposed at all to condemn others who
might differ from me in the matter.
At the table, Mrs. Herbert, who had
been rather testy all day, turned sud-
denly toward Rosa and observed,
tartly:
$50 you are going to dance, tonight?
| understood you were a church mem
her, and my church manual forbids such
excuses on the part of protesting Chris
tians."
Now Rosa had as much spirit as it is
proper for any young lady to possess;
she made no reply. l only noticed that
her neck curved a little more to the
right, and the naturally lofty pose of
her stately head became a trifle more
apparent. 1t was this same curve and
pose of neck and head, I think, which
made Aunt Phoebe SO pronounced as to
cher %aristocratic wavs."
But God has 80 ordained that some
members of his exquisitcly nodded lily
family so carry and sway their graceful
blossoms on their slender stalks, one
might imagine they fancied themselves
the queen of all flowers. But there is
no prlde IN the heart OF a lily; 1t curves
and waves and displays its matchless
charms, Just as God made it to.
But there was to be no dance for
either of us that night. AS Mrs. Herbert
was sweeping s~ullenly from the dining
room she paused at a window in pass
ing, and the next instant with more
alarm than elegance:
ooh. my goodness gracious! what
does this mean l wonder?"
All hurried to the window, and at first
could only discern a motley crowd APP
preaching the house, but a moment,
more and it became apparent that some
one was being borne along on some kind
of q pallet. An instant later it was only
too plain, Poor Mr.. Herbert, like many
another luckless sportsman, had himself
proved the game of his intended pleas
ure.
l need not describe the excitement
and hustle which followed. For one
thing we were all thankful enough. The
pleasant, easy going man was still alive.
The doctor entered the house at the
same time Mr.. Herbert was brought in
disfgured, soiled and bleeding. He
sharply ordered %"bandages. plenty of
them; quick, tool" Mrs. Herbert was of
no assistance whatever, she could only
plore every one to save him, her "dear,
good, kind husband, oh save him!"
Aunt Phoebe ran for old linen. and
Quick as a flash [ saw Rosa tear her del
icate cambria handkerchief in two, and
handed it to the doctor. who tightly
bound it about the bleeding wrist. All
that night, Aunt Phoebe, Rosa and l
watched and bathed, and carefully ten
ded the Door unconscious sufferer.
The next day, however, other board
ers arrived, and Aunt Phoebe could not
spend many moments in the sick room.
1t WAS impossible to find a trustworthy
nurse in the town, and for a whole long
sitting hot week, Rosa and | shared the
an, who watched by the bedside of her
dearly loved husband.
One day l witnessed a scene which
sent me rushing to my room, 10 give
way to irrepressible sobs. The doctor
had pronounced Mr.. Herbert out OF
danger, adding to his wife, land you
can greatly thank your young friends
here, who have rendered you such won-
derful good assistance in this time of
need, particularly that young princess,
who has stood by you day and night.
She needs rest now. Her eyes are
heavy with something besides their own
splendor." Happening to go to Rosa's
room on some trifling errand, l saw
Mrs. Herbert standing before her, and
all at once she threw her arms around
Rosa's neck exclaiming:
"Oh, you lovely Christian! I've
sed too much; I've ridiculed the idea of
your protesting religion, because Being
young and beautiful you have adhered
with natural pleasure to customs of the
fashionable society in which you have
been reared. But God Almighty has
shown me that it is by their fruits his
children are to be known, and you
are one of the Lords own. Oh, forgive
me, dear child"
But | could wait to hear no more, I
only rushed away as / have described
but all barriers were swept away that
summer night. had my own little con-
fession to make, not only to Rosa, but
to my own heart; and the lesson ]
learned from contact with this beautiful
girl was a most wholesome one. [
| 11oouy ~ lNnc mot fN1Iou, fhnk {h0
rich and fashionable are necessarily
proud or ungodly. Neither are they the
heartless creatures we are too prone to
imagine them.
l was surprised, must own, when, at
the end of the season. our ''talerted
young minister" begged Of Rosa's par
ents the privilege of offering his love to
their beautiful daughter. She turned
from the profered gold which wealthier
suitors ardently urged upon her accept
ance, and took the pure love of good
Mr.. Spencer.
She mas been one of us for years now;
for l spent my summers still with Aunt
Phoebe, I and mine. 1t is true she is al
ways faultlessly attired; it is her nature
to be, and 1 believe it is one reason why
she is so invariably fresh and attractive
to all admiring. eyes. Her lovely face is
greatly beloved by cher people," And
what wonder! No home so lowly but
her daintily shod feet can enter most
willingly. No one sunk SO low in vice or
crime, but she can stretch out her soft,
white hand to render good assistance in
helping to lift them up. No child SO
poor or small, but she could bend her
queenly head to bestow the expected
caress. And even Aunt Phoebe has long
since ceased to mention, eve if still
copeoio,o of har aristocrafic wavs