The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-03-06

that even had the wish to say no been
strong, il would have been difficult to
do SO.
Would you like to go, Rosebud, to
see with your own eyes what the won
derful city is like7'
Roses brown eyes fairly shine.
Indeed wonldl" she cries.
"And John-what does he say?' the
old man asks, with glance in the di-
rection of the tall young man, who
leaning against the mantel-piece, is
gazing with world of ardent tender
ness and admiration at the fairy gold.
en-haired girl, whose animated face
turns to him at her uncle's query.
"Tnat | shall be glad for Rosebud
to have a chance to see the gay world
and its doings before she settles down
into the humdrum existence of far
mers wife, he says, heartily.
And so it is settled and Rose do
parts for three-months' visit to the
Arnold's home AT first the dazzling
gaiety and constant round of pleasures
bewilder and almost frighten the little
country girl.
But she soon lears TO take everything
as matter of course, and to enter into
and enjoy it all.
Society dearly loves sensation
something novel and out of the ordi-
maryland, were Rose less carefully
trained in purity aud truth, her head
would surely be turned by the adula-
tion that her fresh Young beauty creates
wherever she goes.
no fear for her. Instead of spelling,
the brilliant scenes in which she is Il
participant only serve to amuse and di-
vert her, and to form matter for the
roluminous letters that wend their way
weekly TO Brierwood Farm, and to an
other home in the village some few
miles distant, where they are used
by manly eyes that grow soft aud ten.
der as they read.
One morning the Arnold residence
welcomes three new guests in the per-
sons of Mrs. Arnold's sister and her
two daughters.
The day passed amid pleasant con
versation, and, at length, in the hour
between sundown and dusk, a game of
hide and-seek is proposed by one of the
young people.
Slipping quietly into the library,
Rose ensconces herself snugiy behind
the draperies of the bay-window.
Hardly had she done so when the
door opens and Mrs Arnold and her
sister enter.
Rose does not stir, thinking that the
rooms sudden accession of inmates will
ensure her own security, for, of course,
both ladies will disavow having seen
any of the hiders.
They began at once to converse.
"How handsome Rupert is" Mrs.
Moore says "Maria, when is his en-
gagement to Miss Martelle to be con-
summated?"
"Oh, that was off six months ago"
Mrs. Arnold answers. "Her father
tailed disastrously, and, Of course, with
Rupert's ideas and tastes, she was no
longer suitable wife for him. He
seized the first opportunity to with
draw
''In that case, Maria, must ask YOU
if you consider country farmers
niece the proper person to throw INTO
daily association with young man
whose fancy will be in great peril from
her face, which, | must confess, is the
pret,iest have ever seen?'
"Spare yourself any anxiety on that
| 7 Oh t,ll
something. That girl, although as yet
no one knows it but my husband and
Rupert and myself, is an heiress. You
remember meeting she old eccentric
Hugh Hayden at my house, ? Well, he
died three months ago and left my hus-
band the sole manager of his estate,
the whole bulk of which he left, en-
tirely disregarding his only child whom
he had disinherited years before, to the
daughter of a woman whom ne had
loved and been separated from in early
youth.
"Of course, as my husband was his
lawyer and confidential friend, no one
but ourselves as yet know the tenor of
the will. | no sooner heard of it than
| | saw at once this was Just the chance
for Rupert. His father is in easy cir
cumstances, but by no means able TO
shoulder Rupert's eYtravagances. Do
not think that | am disparaging my
son ; he is only what bis education has
made him, and not one whit wilder
than others of his sort. Once settled
down with rich wife he will be all
that his relatives can wish
'But the girl-you do not seem to
think of her in the matter" Mrs. Moore
suggests.
"Oh, she admires Rupert exceeding
ly. He has played his game we'll"
"Ah, | see!'
And Rose, listening with flushed
cheeks and indignant eyes. sees, too
A few hours later, in the conserva
tory, whittier Rupert had led her apart
from the rest, she listens while in tones
of wel.stimulatcd ardor he pleads bis
suit.
She waits until he pauses, then look
ing up straight into his eyes, she says
quietly, with an emphasis upon the first
word
cousin Rupert, you surely would
not have spoken as you have just now
had you known that the girl you ad-
dressed was already betrothed. But to
counteract any disappointment this
knowledge may cause you, let me has
ten to assure you that, although Rose
May has recently been left large for
tune, she will be in no wise benefited
by it, for under no consideration could
she be induced to accept a farthing
that rightfully belongs to another
You look amazed. Yes, know ALL"
Rupert's face of utter astonishment
and embarrassment is a study. When
Rose rises with all the dignity of an
injured queen, he can only gaze at her
speechess, and when she goes he makes
no attempt to detain her,
He is foiled, and his mothers we'll
laid scheme is faiure-there is no |
doubt of that And with a perturbed !
mind he seeks the latter to confer with |
her upon the unpleasant surprise he