The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-19
SET WITH THORNs.

Rose Quincy came slowly down the
broad path, and pausing before an old
fashioned red-rose bush, began to Sc
lcct with dainty fingers some partly
opened buds which she fastened with
deliberation in the knot of lace ut her
bosom.
A broad straw hat, with a scarf of
white muslin shaded her features: and
her morning robe of white lawn daintily
ruffled. and draped in spotless purity,
the little nosegay of roses being the on
~ bit of color about her.
Philip Grantley, smoking his morn
ing cigar under one of the big elms,
stepped forward, tossing the fragrant
weed aside and dofling his straw hat.
He was fine looking fellow, with way
ing, jet-black hair, and bold gray eyes;
and when you find such combination
black hair and grey eyes-you will
generally find will as indomitable and
immovable as a stone pyramid.
''How do you do, cousin RoseP" he
said.
The young lady surveyed him with
great calmness, quite ignorant of his ex-
tended hand.
IL suppose vow are Mr.. Grantley,"
sue said, with the slightest possible
bend of her head; ."but 1 am not aware
of any existing relationship between
US"
mo? Then am not" rejoined the
young man, philosophically, rs he drop
ped his neglected hand into the pocket
of his loose flannel coat.
She looked ut him in some perplexity
now. but his face was inscrutablc.
''May have rose. Miss Gurneyp'
he asked, with great politeness, his eyes
fixed upon the little cluster at her bo-
som.
''Oh, certainly! Help YOURSELF" with
little graceful gesture toward the
bioss0m-ladcn bush.
But he only glanced upon it with a
smile and turned away as the breakfast
bell rung out an imperative summons
from the house.
You will come in to breakfastp"
said Rose, with stiffness not at all
natural to her.
''How very kind you arer' murmured
Philip. languidly, as he sauntered on
by her side.
Papa, how can you expect me to
marry that manP" cried Rose, an hour
later, rs she joined her father in the IL
brary.
lis he not agreeable to YOU, my
dcarP' querried Papa Quincy, q shade
of anxiety drifting over his handsome
old face.
Agreeable why, papa, he is the
most-insufferable man l ever saw!
Such GOODNESS, and such insolent, grand
scignor ways! Why, wouldn't marry
him il he was the last man on the face
OF the earthr'
swell, well, Rosamundi, there's no
compulsion about it," And Mr. Cur
ncy smothered sigh. ''But had
hoped you might fancy each other; the
boys father was an old friend of mine.
At least you can treat him courteously
while he stays with us. He is our
guest, remember
Rose left the room silently, with COM
pressed lips. Treat him courteously,"
indeed! Conventional courtesy seemed
utterly lost upon this young fellow who
made himself SO entirely Mt home. and
who was discomposed ut nothing.
In the days that followed, Philip was
like the girls shadow, waiting upon her
with the most scrupulous attention, yet
not hesitating to criticise her playing,
her singing, and her riding. Rose
quarrelled with him, unconsciously; as
for Philip he was as imperturbable rs
mortal man could be.
After all he could be most delight
f,l xxkap hn
realized this when on rainy days he
read, cxquisitely, bits of her favorite au-
thors, while she busted herselfwit sew
ing; or when in the long, scented twi-
lights he related strange adventures in
faraway countries.
There had been not the slightest word
oil love between them; therefore it was
a good deal of surprise when Philip,
lingering with her over the piano one
lovely Summer night, said suddenly
"Rose, will you be my wifep'
With her heart in her mouth, and an
cry astonishmcnt in her wide eyes, Rose
answered directly, --"No, sirr'
Philip did not seem to take her refu-
sal much TO heart. He drummed out
little opera snatch rather absently on
tho white keys, and presently went out
upon the lawn for n smoke; while Rose,
very much disturbed, ran up to her
room and came down no more that
night.
The next day Mr.. Quincy was strick-
en- down with paralysis.
lie was quite conscious, but ashclpless
as little child, withBo control of hands
or tongue.
The attempt nj speech. the wistfu en-