Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-04-02
ISLAND POND, VERMONT, APRIL 2, 1885,


little, white hand which held the dow-
ers, thought, bitterly:
Poor childl Betrayed by both lover
and sister, what an awakening lies
before herw
That awakening came sooner than he
dreamed, for the next afternoon, as Rose
reclined, half asleep, on a sofa in the Ii
brary, she heard st. Clond ring at the
door.
Before she could rouse herself sufficiently
to speak, his voice was audible in the
adjoining parlor, asking eagerly:
''You here, Olive, and alone} Where
is Rosel"
II left her asleep was Olivesan answer.
And st. Cloud, understanding her to
mean in her own apartments, said hur-
riedly:
'Do not rouse her. tits so seldom that
see you alone, and--and lately l think
you have avoided me, Olive"
There was no answer, and he contin-
ued: A%
Il cannot blame you; know how
true and nobe you are, and will not
even speak of what have suffered. But
l place my whole fate in your hands.
Decide for me. Say but the word, and
l will marry Rose"
Olives head dropped, her breath came
quicker, as she murmured:
"Now
A CLEAN of triumph shot from st.
Clouds eye He drew near Olive, and
bent over her until his cheek almost
touched her own.
"My darling" he whispered, "you do
not know what struggle have under
gone. But Rose is generous. Twill tell
her all, and at some future day, when she
is happy again, you will let me claim you
is it not s02 For you do forgive me /;
you do love me little. 1 am sure of
He laid his hand tenderly on her own,
but at that touch, Olive started abruptly
to her feet and turned her gray eyes, blaz-
ing like stars, full upon the astonished
St. Cloud.
Glove you!' she said. Eyes, as you
have loved her-my poor, trusting little
Rose Forgive you2 Yes, when she
forgets you-not beforel Go, BERTHE St.
Cloud, and seek some other dupel 1 have
outwitted you at your own camel"
st. Cloud waited for no second bid
ding. He had been shared in the tolls he
himself had laid, and silently raging at
his own failure, he quilted the house for
ever.
Olive turned at once to seek her sister.
She found her still crouching on the sofa,
from which she had half-arisen her face
pale as ashes, her whole frame trembling
like leaf.
"Olive, Olive" she cried piteously, "1
have heard all m
And Olive, with the muttered COM
ment, "Thank heavenm knelt beside her,
and drawing the poor little head down
upon her shoulder, soothed her with the
tenderest caresses. From that time st.
Clouds name was never mentioned be-
tween them.
But the rumor of the broken engage
ment must, in some way, have reached
Max Hart, for it was not long ere he
made it convenient to see the two sisters
again. He asked no question; he sought
no confidence; but his silent and respect
full sympathy touched them as no words
could have done.
In time he gained the place he coveted
that of friend valued above all Others
by them both But it was long ere he
ventured to speak of love to Rose, and
when he did, the color rushed painfully
to her cheek.
"Do you know the story of my past"
she said, bravely.
And he replied:
"Aye, and love you but the more!
You are still my rose-my queen of flow
ers!n
ga poor, withered, faded rose" she
answered, smiling through her tears.
'But the one rose in the world for me"
he said.
And then she placed both hands in his
to have and to hold. .---Katherine Hyde.