The Portland daily press., 1883-02-19
off . lone strin that included the initial, and

answered. on, Perhaps. one DuyS them
by the Dozen"
II don't do embroidery she said rather
CURLY. She took the rose from his hand.
"This is mine?' she said. 'sWell, then,
give 1t to you. 1t was for you wanted it."
She put it in his button-hole, and felt for
pin with which to fasten it securely, but
could not find one. "No matter" she said,
1T will hold. Now promise me one thing
that You will keep it always"
He looked down at the flower. "Always9
This rose?' he said. "Do you know what
dead rose looks like? Like that''-picking
one from the rose tree. what on earth
should keep a thing like that fer?''
She laughed. swell, give me that" she
said, snatching the dead rose from his hand
and thrusting it inside her frock. CHOW.
we've each got one; and if keep mine you
might keep yours"
81 don't in the least want you to keep it,"
he answered; "but do if you like. "You're
always rather sentimental, you know"
"Fm not; you know Pm not" she cried.
"Bnt suppose one may have feelings" :.
"No, DON'T he said, walking away to-
ward the table again. This scene had passed
so close to me, that had inevitably heard
every word that was spoken; and now, as
her companion turned his back on her,
saw look of pain that momentariy whiten-
ed her cheeks and lips, come into the girls
face, She stood motionlesS, her brows
drawn together, her fingers tightly interlaced,
apparently struggling to master some almost
overpowering passion or emotion. She sue
ceeded. In another moment the blood came
rushing back, her fingers unlocked; with
snatch of song and the same gay, springing
step as before, she ran up the garden to meet
the white-capped maid who was advancing
with tray.
sHere is our breakfast" she cried ssAnd
[ am hungry. What have you ordered? Will
there be chocolate and galet.e and an ONE
let?''
They sat down together just within the
shadow of one of the vine-covered berceaux,
precisely opposite to where still kept my
seat and my book. Between us lay only the
garden path, flooded by the hot midday sun.
Inc girl interested me, and as it was they
who had chosen their position opposite me,
found no indiscretion in keeping the seat
had previous held. Their repast lasted a
long time. observed, however, that while
her companion made an excellent meal, the
GIRL who had declared herself hungry, touch
ed hardly anything. All the delicacies she
had desired appeared, and she allowed her.
self to be helped from each dish in turn
but she employed herself in feeding a cat
and dog belonging to the inn, who had come
and seated themselves one on either side of
her. Her gay mood had changed little;
she talked less and looked more at her COM
panion, who did not look much at her. but
rather at the plates and dishes before him.
eve are extremely dull,'' he said at last,
taking out his watch, "and we may have 10
spend an hour yet in this hot little hole of a
garden. shall go and order some cham-
pagne.o
He rose as he spoke and walked away to-
wards the inn. The rose, loosely fastenediD
his button-hole, fell out as he moved. He
did not notice it, butthe girl did. She picked
it up, pressed it with passionate gesture to
her lips, then thrust it hurriedly inside the
bosom of her frock, pressed both hands
tightly over it with an energy that brought
the varying color to her cheek with rush.
When her companion returned, she was idly
tracing design with her forefinger in some
split red wine on the green table. He
glanced down at his coat
where is my rose?" he said
'Have you lost it?' she answered, with
out looking up. g
II suppose SOL had it moment ago."
He looked down and about him on the
dusty ground. She also stirred slightly, and
with the point of her shoe moved aside the
leaves that clustered at the foot of the vine
trellis. He resigned himself.
You will have to get me another" he
said. s'Never," she answered, leaning back
in her chair with folded arms, and looking
at him with smile at once defiant and pro-
voking 81 willnevergive you rose again.,
He shrugged his shoulders slightly. GAS
you will,' he said; 81 shall not die for want
of rose.o
She looked at him for moment in silence.
''Dep' she said then. 81 believe you will
never die. unless it be of old age.''
Thank ysu for the prophecy" he said,
laughing, land may you prove true proph-
ct. Here; let us drink to your old age and
NINE The champagne had been brought;
he filled glass and passed it to her. She
just touched it with her lipse, then, springing
to her feet, held it aloft while in clear un-
taught voice she sang drinking song which
an opera recently the fashion had made
popular. Her companion, who was smoking,
joined in the chorus with lazy hum,
watching the while, with half-closed eyes,
the rings of smoke that he pulled into the
air. She sang the song through; at the end,
whether by accident or intention, I do not
know, the glass fell crashing to the ground.
"Bravo! bravoW said her compan ion.
"Excellently well sung! But you have lost
yonr wine.''
He pushed his own glass toward her as he
spoke. She took no notice of it, but, drop
ping into her chair, sat with her elbows on
the table, ner chin propped on her hands,
gazing before her into vacancy.
sDo you know what l should like better
than anything in the world?', she SAID, sud-
denly turning to her companion.
s'What?' he answered.
''To go once, only just once, to box at
the opera
swell, will take you,'' he said.
"You will?' she cried eagerly. "Oh
when9''
Tomorrow night
She sprang, to her feet again, clapping her
hands, Tomorrow night-do you mean
really tomorrow night?"
Certainly mean it," he said. will
take box tomorrow, and call for you in
the evening"
She stood looking at him, her hands
clasped as though in ecstasy. All at once a
shade stole over her face.
''This Dress" she said, looking down at
it and lifting frill, sit will not do-and it
is the only one have"
sob, it will do we'll enough he answered
carelessly; put flower in your hair. You
always look charming, you know"
But want to go to large box" she
said, her eyes widening little as with anx-
iety, sin the centre of the house, where |
can see every one and be SEEM
eyes, yes, / understand; but you will do
very well. You can put rose in your
hair,
"The dead rose,' she said with laugh.
"What do you mean?' he said, frowning
a little.
"Oh, nothing" she answered; stsee, here
is some one come to speak to you.n
She turned quickly round as she spoke the
last words, and stood with her back to him,
her hand pressed tightly on her heart. The
little inn maid had approached once more to
tell the gentleman that his horse and servant
had arrived and were waiting.
81 must go,'' she said with certain alac-
rity. He paid the bill that the maid had
brought, and rose.
"You don't mind staying here alone till
the train goes?' he said as he buttoned up
his coat and drew on his gloves.
"Not in the least, oh, not in the least,''
she answered; "it is only half an hour, you
know
"rhen, 1 will be off at once. have no
time to lose''
He took his hat, but still fingered mo-
ment as though he hesitated to say some
final word. 1t was she who spoke it.
"Till tomorrow evening, them" she cried
in her clear, childish voice. ''You will call