Daily Republican., 1888-05-08
mAnaAHur OR KosAmoru.

VI
Margaret Romaine was dark and
proud, and in her cheeks the red
blushes always burned ike signal
fires; while Rosamond was fair and
slight, with tiinid blue eyes, and gold
brown hair falling In large curls about
her face, hiding with Its glittering
threads the faint dawn OF crimson on
her checks, as the brown nest of the
robin hides the sweet red on its
breast.
Rosamond stood by the window
looking out on the fair lawn and gar.
dens, bright with the last glow of sun.
set, md with proud swee OF her
silken garment Margaret crossed the
room to where her sister stood.
"Rose," she said, sharply, "tell me
at least If you have decidedp"
"Hush. Margaret. she said, implor.
ingly; "you must know Il Is not an
easy thing for me to give up this one
love of my life to you'll l has been
the charm of every brieh day and the
comfort OF every lonely one. You
know have had no one else u love
me since our mother died."
"You are quickly comtortea in sor-
row, Rose; but real di sapp intment
would kill all that is good in me-"
show do you know that Philip
would love you, if l should g. away
and leave him ireeP' Rosamond asked.
iaitering and dropping her eyes before
her sisters passionate glance. "1f |
| thougt -" she said, hardly above
her breath.
"How do l know it?" Margaret re.
peated, the proud light deepening in
her eyes, 'has not every man whom
have admitted here for these three
years of mourning become either my
slave or my loverl 1t is only your
white, baby face that has blinded
Philip Evelyn to my love! II you go
away with no farewell to him, he
will be my lover when you return"
"And what would you do then7"
fal,ered Rose. "You are very proud,
Margaret, and Philip is a poor man,
rich only n his gift of song and in
winning all hearts TO praises
"Dut have money" Margaret re
turned, haughtily. sour grand
fathers gin has made me rich
woman. will go to Pari' as his
wife before three months have gone
by"
Rosamond shuddered, for she knew
that the fatal passion which had pos
session OF her sisters soul was moi
real love, but would fade like an idle
dream before the stern realities of life.
And she clung to the sweet belief thai
Philip Evelyn would not suffer his
love to be won by so frail passion.
She besitsted no longer, but lifted
her radiant eyes to her sisters face.
81 do not give him up, Margaret,
No power on earth should compel me
to say thatl But l will go away as
you wish, without bidding him good
by and you may have the opportunity
| you desire"
THANK you, darlingi" said Marga.
ret, her voice softening little as she
watched her sisters pale face, from
which every trace of color had fed
"You will find consolation in somt
new friendship. and when we are mar
ried you shall go with US TO Paris
Perhaps you may wear title yet!'
| "Don't, Margaret. You hurt mt
with your cruel words. Go now, ant
leave me alone for little while"
"Well, will 20. Shall tell pap,
oil your contemplated journey" asket
Margaret.
II will tell him myself in the morn
ing" 5--..=
"Yvill you see Philip If he come
to nightf" Margaret asked, doubtfully
One meeting now might mean 81
muchl
"Asls him to excuse me-" she re
piled little sadly. Il have head
ache, and l shall be busy"
That evening Rosamond kept hel
room, only going out into the hal
when Philip Evelyn went home, t.
listen to the music of his voice ant
step.
Tell Rose," he was saying, "that
am sorry for her headache. But truth
compels me, Miss Margaret, to say
that | have passed two delightful
hours this evening""
Poor Rose With trembling steps
she crept back to her room, and press.
ing both hands TO her throbbine
heart, threw herself on her knees be
fore the window, letting the cool wind
ripple across her face.
"Perhaps | have been wrong after
ALL" she said, with half sob in her
voice, land Margaret may win him to
love her, But God bless my darling
with happiness, whichever he may
choosel"
Tho next day she packed up her
trunk and started for months visit
to her mothers sister, her Aunt Rose,
after whom she had been named.
"A month from today | shall come
back" she whispered to her sister as
she stood on the steps, the sunlight
falling lovingly down on her sweet
face. ''If you get your hearts desire,
dear Margaret, | shall try not to be
unhappy"
n
The month rolled rapidly away,
Rosamond, in the clear, fresh country
air, was getting roses in place of her
lilies, while Margaret at home was
growing pale with anxiesy.
1t was the morning of the last day
of the month. All the morning she
had wandered aimlessly up and down
the garden paths, haunted by a fear
that she would not acknowledge even
to her own heart.
when Rose comes backi When
Rose comes backp' she whispered to
her heart.
| And her heart had answered back:
"What if Rose should not come backt'