The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-01-17
ROSES REVENGE.
It Was Noble One, and Brought
Her a Reward


absolved everyone from the present
and, in the land of dreams, mistres
and slaves found temporary equality
In her own vast, duslxy room, closet
inclosed from every sunbeam, MADAM
" as fast asleep. She was at all time
q beautiful woman, but more so nov
in her snowy deshabille, calm and still
behind rose-tinted mosquito-screens
have said all were asleep an,
dreaming, but must make one excep
ton. Frank Aslin, aged twenty, wa
dreaming without sleeping He had il
his pocket letter which was quit
sufficient to Danish sleep from such al
enthusiastic, romantic nature; and We
the letter was only from his father, til,
gravest gentleman you would meet il
years journeying. 1t was short ant
simple enough, as all Judge Aslin's let
ters were, and merely said:
DEAR Boy; shall be home on W ednesda
night. Come to meet me at Neale's station
and bring the carriage, as there will be a youn
lady with me. Give Queen orders to make al
arrangements for her comfort II your mothc
feels able TO give any directions shall fee
Obliged to her"
But Mrs. Aslin had not felt able Sh,
heard the news just as she was pre-
pairing for her siesta and was satisfied
to delegate full powers to the negresl
Queen. Who the young lady was she
did not know-and she really had little
care. The house was large enough tC
give room to a good client of the
judges without causing her any an
noyance, and she was quite sure thai
Judge Aslin would not offer his hospi
talities to anyone who was not likely
in some way or other to be an equiva
lent
Felippa and Joanna Aslin, being
themselves young, ladies, speculatec
little about the stranger, but with nc
lively interest. They had seen several
of their fathers lady clients and they
rowful spirit, struggling through the
intricacies of Spanish land titles and
government claims. The word young
lady was, indeed, the promise of some
thing different; but they inherited
with the Mexican beauty of theil
mother. her lazy, inert disposition, and
they knew no medium between indif
ference and enthusiasm. Frank, on
the contrary, with the Scotch physiog'
nomy of his father, had also inherited
his speculative, energetic temperament.
None are so pretty as my little
mamma" said Frank, STOPPING to kiss
the lovely face lifting itself out OF
floating lace and cleaning gems. Then
he drove rapidly to Nesle's station and
young girl out of the stage-a girl
quite unlike any he had ever seen, a
fair, rosy, golden-haired divinity, who
lifted eyes, blue and clear as heaven,
to meet him.
The Judge said her father had been
his earliest friend and that Rose and
her fortune were left to his care He
demanded for her the coolest rooms,
the best maid, the most scrupulous at
tentions- Her dresses were rich, her
allowance ample and there seemed nc
earthly reason for madam to interfere
with Franks worship of his new divin.
ity. So the sweet old drama was lived
over again; it was delicious enough to
live it over in that dreamy, passionate
cline, where no rude element Jared
its perfect beauty. But, though Judge
Aslin seemed well content that Frank
and Rose should love each other. he
srsistently opposed all talk of mar
age. By and by this opposition, where
opposition seemed so unnecessary,
reused all the dormant curiosity and
jealousy of madam's southern nature.
She began to question Rose carefully
about her former life; but the child had
nothing 10 conceal, and told all with a
frankness which madam considered OF
itself proof positive of a preconcerted
tale. Her mother she denied all knowl-
edge of; her father she described as a
sad, lonely gentleman, writing much
and seeing very few strangers. When
madam asked about the establish
ment." Rose described little cottage,
standing in cocoa and tamarind
grove. and an old negro woman, who
she said was still living in Key West
all of which increased suspicion against
her, as Mr.. Aslin had told very differ
ent story.
He had spoken of great obligations
to this evidently poor. uninfuential
gentleman, who wrote much and saw
few strangers, and had intimated that
Rose was connected with wealthy
and powerful family and was heiress
to large estates.
With all her inexperience and sim
plicity OF character, Rose was at length
sensible of being watched and not
pleasantly commented on. Her ram.
bles with Frank became matters for
espionage. and every kind word and
action from her guardian raised an
angry frown on all the ladies' brows
Then Frank was suddenly, and with
scarcely any preparation, sent t.
Europe, and her life settled down intt
dull, unhappy monotony, which wa
now unbroken by any efforts on thu
part of madam or the young ladies L
tighten. They received and paid visit
and went occasionally to New Orlean
for weeks holiday, but never on an,
occasion requested her society.
Rose could not be ignorant that thii
change had not been accomplished
without much angry disputing in thu
house, but there are situations in whicl
man is powerless to defend a woman
however anxious he may be to do so
and Mr.. Aslin felt this fact painfully.
just what were his wife's suspicious
she never told anyone. 1t is likely sh'
had not even decided on them in he
own heart. but they had a very decides
effect. Miss Rose Van .Ransaleur'
name began to be omitted from al
invitations and calls of ceremony, and
the very servants dropped the element
Of respect out of their attentions, unles
Mr.. Aslin was present.
Poor little Rose. This was not he
only trouble. Frank never wrote K
her. His mother indeed read som,
pleasant message or apology In thu
first letters, with always a promise o
q long letter for herself, but It nevel
came; and gradually even the messag'
grew colder. until it, too, was for
gotten.
Nothing can change the nature Of 1
woman like the indulgence Of one over
mastering passion. In her insane jeal
ousy, madam forgot her inherent lazi
ness. She learned TO follow Rose int
the loneliest and most distant parts o
the plantation and to watch her a
hours once absolutely devoted TO slum
Der and privacy. From this terrible
persecution, Rose began slowly 70 per
ceive she must fly somewhere
One day, when the madame and he