The morning call., 1891-09-30
THE PRAIRIE ROSE.


%, rho position," said Rose Temple, as she
trrev the folds over her knee. "lf this can
i,o made passabIe for another season can
10 tbe music lessons. l have clphered
that out clearly" ,.
81 think YOU are right, DEAR" said Mrs.
TamDla Then let US look carefully at the
possibilities Of the case. 1t IS a very goou
cashmere, to begin with. black as jet though
II has seen good service" And the wido"
turned it over thoughuully III heF iiahus'
.sRosy." she continued. with sudden ANNA
tion. 81 have bright thought. Kun up ana
hiring ma nv black silk shawl. mat Is
baavv and good yet, and we will make the
Jacket Of il, and have enough lett for tull
npffed trimmings on the rest OF the suit
Not your silk shawl, mother" remon-
strated Rose.
ayes, deary. l have made my MIND up;
and YOU know when l make it up suddenly
It is very hard to unmake. l seldom 20 OUT,
and scarcely ever wear it. So why should 1t
not be doing some good? You shal Duy
me a SOFT wool shawl in place OF 1t wneh
YOU become muSlc-teacher' sHa'l Inc
that n great deal better
land the fringe. mother" said Rose, en-
teriDg into the spirit of IT, now the mater
was decided. "What a nice trimming thaL
will make for the basque" e.,
iAnd enough left for your paraSol,' SAID
the widow you will have 70 be very
careful of that parasol, see, Rosy FER
maps had better glue thin piece OF sllk on
the under side in one place and press II ont
carefully | think | can do 1t 50 1t VIII not
show, and it Will help preserve 1t much
1T takes science to live on our little in
come does il not, mOther?' said Rose,
laughing. But many richer folks l know
are not half so happy. My fingers ache TO
set about that dress. But perhaps had
better run down 10 the Popiars and give
Miss Allen an answer about the lessons
She would like to know this evening.
1T is a little late" said Mrs. Temple hes
ftating; "but you may 90 II you Will take
Nep." -.
At a word from his young mistress old
Neptune slowly gathered up his huge frame
and with 4 shake OF his rough coat declared
himself in readiness for 4 start.
Rose took from the closet her neat black
coat and dainty hat, aud thea, from box
her well-darned thread gloves, and was also
ready to set out. Each article mad its his
tory, fall of interest to the parties most
nearly concerned. But Rose did not feel
called upon to tell every one that the sacqne
was peced out of her fathers Sunday coat
or that the hat was an old Neapoltan bon
net turned over a frame, braid by braid, by
her own handy fingers; that the thick black
ribbon had once tied grandmothers cap,
while the gay little knot OF peacock feath-
ers which adorned one side was her own
fashioning, and was shaped with true
artists eye.
As the girl and her shaggy escort wendell
their way down the street, the mother
sighed.
'Oh, for even a year or two of good
attn, so l could help my darling out of
these perpleXitieS. How sad that she should
be so crushed by poverty, when she is so
well huet for a higher sphere. Now the
only ambition dare cherish is that she
may ind the way open TO make herself
proficient in music SO II may be p means OF
Self-SuppOTt. How cheerfully she takes up
the burden; with what enthusiasm she ap-
plies herself. How little she dreams Of the
hard, cold world size has to battle with,
and tear after tear rolled down her faded
cheek.
But at II, with bounding health in the
veins and a happy home, the world looks all
IOSe-Dueds Very soon Rose came tripping
up the steps as ligift-hearted as sunbeam,
now that the important Question about the
music lessons was settled. She had brought
a letter for her mother from a cousin in a
distant city, full of pleasant home news aud
a happy wedding time, all OF which was
full of interest to those who lived such quiet
lives.
present to this dear cousin of yours,
mother" said Rose, as she piled her nimblt
needle.
She asks me all about my little girl,"
said the mother, land wonders if she looks
likes me. Suppose you send your likeness
in one of those dainty frames you make
Emily will prize a token that comes from
the heart far more than costly gift, which
speaks only of the giver's wealth"
The gift was sent, with many misgiYing'
on Roses part, but the sweet girls face
made many friends in that distant house
"Mother," said Rose. one day, as she re.
turned from her music lesson, you would
be sorry for little Lois Gray. She is Sc
passionately fond of music, so anxious L
Improve in it, and has such poor chance
She sweeps the school aud recitation room!
every evening to pay for her lessons, bu
she has little opportunity of practiGing. She
can only have the piano when not in use b.
others. Such good girl as she Is, but suci
hard life as she leads at her uncle's."
why not let Lois practice here?" sale
Mrs. Temple, promptly.
''That is just what l hoped you would say
mother DEAR" and Rose gave her warn
kiss.
So II was all arranged, and the practice
hour was to be whenever 1t suited her best
Rose gladly gave her the benefit of whateye
instruction she had received; so the happy
pair made good progress. Better than thu
privilege accorded her was the thought tina
now a warm hearthStone and two sympa
thizing hearts were open to her. The pool
orphan girl had often felt SO utterly alone
and fTiendleSs.
II brought this letter for you from thu
Office said Lois, "as l was coming by. anC
/ thought it would save you the trouble.
She passed on into the small sitting-room
where she was always welcome.
"Hhank you, Lois; / was very busy TO-
night, and am glad TO save the time. 1t i
from Cousin Emily, mother. am so glad
for her letters always do you good like med
ieine. told her so in the last one [ wrote
and that. perhaps. is why she writes again
so soon"
"Rosy," called her mother. little while
afterward. in a voice half trembling, bali
excited, II want you to come and read this
letter"
Anything uncommon happened, moth
"0nly this: that Cousin Emily and hel
husband ask you TO spend the fall and
E9iater there. and offer to give you the best
facilities the city affords for perfectine
yourself in music and other studies"
1t was not in reason that girl of Rosy!
impulsive nature could hear such a propo
sition with an even flow of the pulses. Blu
presently the bright look faded, and shI
said, as quietly as she would put away al
hours pastlme;
''But cannot 90, mother"
"Why not, darlfng?
81 cannot leave you, mother"
'But you are TO 60. my child. That par
Of the programme is settled. The remain
der will work itself clear as we 90 on"
The dainty little supper would never hay
been appreciated that evening il they haC
not prevailed on Lois to come in and shar
1t with them. They took her into thei
counsels, and suddenly the thought fiashe,
into the widows mind TO ask:
w ny can't you stay with me, Lois, AM
be my daughter while Rose is away?"
III / only might" said Lois, the tear
wellinR up Into her dark eyes. 81 am onl
counted burden where am"
Rose and Lois stepped lightly and ouickl
about as they cleared the tea things ava,
and then all sat down for a ouiet serion
talk. The details were beginning to "woyl
themselves out" "'i'
The next few weeks were busy ones A,
outfit Is some trouble, even when Won hav
only to call on father for needful chez
and good dressmaker to do the work: bn
where one pair Of young hands must do a
the sewing aRd as good as make all the M
reriais IL becomes much more eomplicatt
affair. Mother was rcapital at plannin
and the physician had fortunately not int
dicted that sort of the sewing work So &
week grew, and though the preparation
were simple they were dainty aud pretty
their kind. 1t took science" though, Of
very high order, and Rose laughed many