The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-04


Nov that she knew uhat true love was.
she gave her whole heart up 70 II, and she
no longer wondered what her answer would
be when he shonId ask her for Is.
II was Just Ia the flush 81 her happiness
that Rose met 1t village hotel, whose
lanslIady's daughter Was one Of her eiri
friends = lady uho had come there hoping
70 regain her lost health.
Pale and delicate. bat stili very lovely.
was czryi stewart. and very soon she and
the bewitching village belle we're fast
friends
Rose. watching the slow. lAnguid move
naents Of the graceful. wasted figure. astired
always in some pretty esthetic gown. look
Ing iato the soft, dark, mournfui eyes, or
listening TO the low. sweetiy moduiAted
voice of the interesting Invalid. felt . great
and tender sympathy for the bright iife
which had been so pitiiessiy blighted by
disease
She Vas 70 happy herself that il seemed
cruel that any one should Be III or suffer
ing.
MY physicians say that my aiIment is
consumption. y said caryl Stewart one day,
smiling that slow. sad smile that always
went straight 70 Roses heart; but |
know better than they, Rose / know that
! am dying OF broken heart Some day
viii tell you. You will come in again to-
morrow ?" she questioned, lifting her dark
eyes with wistful look.
@Oh. yes returned Rose, with . sweet,
bright smile. II will come in any day
every day--if I can help to cheer your
loneliness, Miss Stewart
She was thinking Of that conversation
when Wilbur severance came 70 see her
later in the evening.
But she could not remain melancholy
long in his presence nov, particularly ~
he had come for the express purpose Of ask
ing for her hand.
Rose had often pictured this moment to
herself, and she had honestly resolved TO
be all sweetness and sincerity to this man
whom she loved with all her soul.
But--how IL was she never could tell
somehow her wilful spirit Of coqnettry
seemed 10 take possession OF her all in
moment. and she laughed. leased and
evaded her lovers questioning With per-
sistent wilfnlness that amazed herself.
Il will answer you tomorrow evening"
was the reply which he finally coaxed from
her saucy lips. 81 must have little time
10 reflect upon so dreadfuliy serious q mat
ter. Mr.. Severance"
But there was that In the happy. laugh
ing blue eyes that belied the wilful red lips.
and Wilbur Severance went away with
cheerful heart in spite Of all.
II know she loves me. the pretty little
WITCH" he smiled an he walked homeward
with light. proud step. "others may
call her fiirt, but they don't know her
heart as l do. She is Is true as gold, God
bless her."
The next day Rose paid her promised
visit TO Miss Stewart. and II was then that
the delicate. pretty invalid made her the
confidante OF her sorrows.
IL was a love story, simple enough, but
wondrousiy sad, thought happy Rose.
Caryl stewart had been bctrothed when
scarcely more than child to youth but
little older than herself
The arrangements had been made en-
tireiy by the parents of the two.
But as they grew Older, with better I'M
Outstanding Of the situation. Caryl realized
that her whole heart was involved in the
matter while her fiance proved indifferent,
and finally rebel;ed outright against the
bonds which he hsd no part in creating.
In her pride Caryl had granted him his
freedom, though she broke her own heart
by doing IL.
Other suitors she had had, hut she would
never love again 70 her dying day.
And that VII not be far or she ended
pathetically, unless l can win his love.
And don't quite despair OF doing that yet.
Rose. Away from all rivals and free from
the husiness-iike letters that once prcju-
diced him against me--more than all. when
he realizes at last that his love and only
that can save my life. Do you think, dear
little Rose. that my hope of yet winning
him Is such Wild one, after all %
And she turned her dark eyes, filled with
the passion of her soul. upon the girls
fair, plying face.
mo, indeed. do not, Miss Stewart"
she earnestly replied. 81 don't think he
could help but learn 20 love you did he
know all the truth. II he could be here to
see"
'.He is here. and have met him several
times. though he doesn't know the strange,
mad hope that brought nac here-as yet. l
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 eager
ness from beneath her long. dark lashes
His name is Wilbur Seversnce!r
Wilbur severanceif r.
The sweet. red lips which echoed that
name suddenly grew white as death, and
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. l know Mr.. Severance. we are
/ quite good friends" she said. 'sAnd
think he will come back to you yet, Miss
Stewart; indeed am-am almost sure he
| will
And rising quickly. she murmured few
parting words. then touching her cold lips
/ lightly 81 caryl Stewards brow. FASTENED
/ from the room.
/ oh. why didn'. tell him Yes at once
last night. when ! loved him SOL erred
Rose. in anguish OF heari. as she hurried
home. Then IL would all have been set
tied. and nothing could have changed II,
bat nown
Her resolve WAS airead taken; and when
/ wilear called that night she gave him his
answer promptly enough. Ii was simply
/ ~No.~
/ The effect e had upon him was indie
scSshshle. Dor moment be Was utterly
I speechless with asnazemcnt~
loa cannot mean hose that v on have
I deliberately intended 10 decsive me - he
cried Al last. surely no woman under
heaven coald have heart 80 hard ansi false
( rs that 10 not trife this time, Rose
Whatever yoslr answer l. ROW n rnust hs