Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-11-29
ROSES HEROISM.


tossing aside the thrillingly sensational
novel which she had just finished with
deep sigh of discomfort. I'm pretty
enongh. I'm sure"-casting an APP
preciatiye glance at the mirror OPP
positc. in which her piquant face and
curling golden hair were pieasingiy
ref1ected-.b nothing ever happens
nothing ever will happen. either. so
far as can see-that has the least bit
of romance in it. Just this same old
humdrum life; I'm tired and sick of it.
II something startling would only oc-
cur. IL could only fall desperately in
love with some one"
Here the low, discontented murmur
Of Roses voice ceased. and n faint
blush crept into her pretty cheeks. as
her thoughts drifted away toward :
certain some one" who had never
formed q part of that humdrum life OF
which she had so often and so bitterly
complained.
Rose had numberless admirers. n
the prettiest girl in the village always
will have. and she could recall an al
most equal number of fiirtations which
had served TO brighten the monotohy of
her village life.
But they were tame affairs; her heart
had never been really Interested for
moment.
As for the grand passion. Rose knew
nothing or II, save in her romantic
day-dreams and in the impassioned
pages of her favorite novels.
She had laughed at her would-be
lnx.rs ,pI HacfursI h.sr
that there was no such thing as love
In real life.
But Of late pretty Rose had secretly
begun to entertain a somewhat differ
ent opinion on that subject
A handsome. manly. intellectual face
and pair OF beautiful. laughing brown
eyes were the direct causes Of her
change of heart
Yet their owner seemed in no haste
To enroll himself on the list Of her adj
mirers. Indeed. Rose knew him ouly
by sight, for William Severance was
stranger in the village; she had seen
him in church two or three times and
occasionally on the street. but he bad
never sought an introduction to the
belle of the place. and. beyond a pass
ing glance of admiration. had not
evinced any special notice of her AZ
fractions.
Perhaps that was the very thing
which had awakened Roses interest in
him. AT all events she often caught
save my life. Do you think. dear little
Rose. that my hope Of yet winning him
Is such a wild one after alp"
And she turned her dark eyes filed
with the passion os her soul. upon the
girls fair plying face.
No. indeed. I do not. Miss Stewart"
she earnestly replied Il don't think
he could help but learn to love you did
he know all she truth II be could be
here to see"
He is here. and have met him sew
eral times. though he doesn't know the
strange. mad hope that brought me
here-as vet. have merely told him
that ! came here for my health.
think you know him, also. Rose" she
added. slowly. watching the girls face,
with kind Of breathless eagerness
from beneath her. long. dark lashes.
His name is Wilbur Severance~
Wilbur Severancew
The sweet, red lips which echoed that
name suddenly grew white as death.
aud all the happy light seemed stricken
by one blow from the bright. blonde
face.
One moment Roses little hand was
pressed lightly over her heart and her
very breathing seemed to cease.
Then she spoke almost in her usual
steady tones.
Yes, know Mr.. Severance, we are
quite good friends. :" she said. And
think, he will come back to you yet.
Miss Stewart; indeed Iam-am almost
sure he Will"
And rising quickly. she murmured q
few parting words. then touching her
cold lips lightly to Caryl Stewards
brow. hastened from the room.
'Oh. why didn't l tell him Yes ut
once last night, when loved him sor'
cried Hose, in anguish Of heart. as she
hurried home. ''rhen It would all
have been settled, and nothing could
have changed it, but now"
Her resolve was Already taken; and
when Wilbur called that night she gave
him his answer promptly enough. 1t
was simply mo"
The effect it had upon him WAS indie
For time he was utterly
speechless with amazement.
You cannot mean. Rose. that you
have deliberately intended to deceive
me? he cried at last. Surely no
under heaven could have =
heart so hard and false as that! Do
not tritle this time. Rose. Whatever
your answer is now it must be your
final one"
1T is tinal,n she answered steadily.
II shall regret the loss of your friend
ship, but can never be your wife, Mr..
Severance. That is my deliberate, final
answer"
And hurled back the lie in the
teeth of all those who tried to warn me
aQainSt Won far what Won ARA soul