The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-10

flush of color; and the most graceful lit
| tie figure in the world We all wor-
shipped Rosa.
i She was born for love- With q bright
active brain, above the average in power,
she culledAnough of knowledge to make
her conversation always pleasing. Her
lsweet, clear voice could warble with due
Difference to rule; her little hands make
the piano keys throw out food Of
melody; but all this was secondary to
her gentle, winning manner, her great,
loving heart. Without any open agree
ment to that effect, it was an understood
part Of the family to keep care far away
from Rosa.
We lived in the heart of a great city,
and our father, a prominent lawyer, had
an easy competence, that made us. some-
times considered rather in the light of
heiresses. We were courted accordingly.
But Rosa was the favorite: She was
nearly eighteen, however, before her
fate came. Then over the bright face
| there stole a. new look not shadow,
only deeper meaning in the soft brown
eyes, a rarer sweetness in her smile, q
more frequent air of thought on the low,
broad forehead. There was new voice
that would waken a flush on her cheek,
a new pair of admiring eyes to call a
smile to her lips. Graham Lewis, the
friend Of friends, was young physician,
newly settled in our city, whose father
was an old friend of our mother. Com
ing from his home in the far west, to
finish his education and commence prac-
tice in our city, he became dependent
upon US for those glimpses of home life
SO precious to the wanderer from mother
love and family ties. He was soon do
mesticated amongst us, coming and GO
ing as his time allowed and his inclina-
ton prompted. To me he was ever kind
and attentive. But Rosa was the star of
his life love for her shown from his
dar k eyes, softened. every word he adj
dressed to her, and made his smiles for
her full of meaning
She was coy with him often, yet never
with any coquetish art, only the retic7
ence of modest maiden. / alone read
her heart. AS his practice increased we
became, in some degree, his assistants.
Many dainty basket of food, or warm
bundle of clothing went to aid his medi-
cine in restoring health and comfort to
some poor home and while he guarded
us carefully from contagion, or too great
fatigue, he opened our eyes somewhat to
the misery round US upon all sides, and
let us read in his life of active benevo-
lence and usefulness lesson for our own
guidance.
1t was early in February, a cold and
stormy afternoon, and l was seated in
I was seated in the room Rosa and I had
shared since our childhood, busily sew
ing. Suddenly the door was thrown
open, and my sister came in. Without
seeing me she locked the door, and be-
gan to tear off her clothes with frantic
eagerness. Her face was pallid, her lips
working nervously, her whole frame
quivering with intense excitement. I
arose to assist her, but seeing me, she
gave great cry of pain.
Keep back. Do not come near me.
Oh why are you here? Go away! 60
away "
But would not be denied, and before
she: could stop me l had clasped her in
my arms, and was trying to soothe her.
Seeing that she had failed to drive me
away, she let her head fall upon my
shoulder, and burst into a fit of passion
ate weeping.
"What is it, Rosa, dear? Are you i'll ?"
Not yet-but so frightened. You
know the woman with the sick baby
Well, l went there this morning to carry
some things, and her sister was there
with the smallpox. never knew till
had been there nearly two hours. And
now you will have it if I do.
1t was appalling. But there was no
time for useless regrets. Calming her as
soon as could, assisted her in chang.
ing her clothing, and made her lie down,
Then l called my mother into the entry,
and through the key-hole of the closed
door told her the story. 1t was long be-
fore she consented to allow us fight the
] faar Or rnoli4,r nlonn l,..4 |