The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-03


Gonzales, madam's brother, was per-
fcctly satisfied and agreeable, and no
one in the village ever cared to dissent
from a gentleman at once so ready TO
take ofense and to exact apologies as
the Mexican don was.
The journey, begun without a single
''Godspeed," nevertheless prospered
In about eight days Rosa found herself
within the shadow Of a splendid, old
brick mansion, the petted and beloved
child of doting old man. Mr.. Aslin
fingered few days. He set the mem
DRY of his dead friend in noblest SEN
fences before the regretful father; he
saw Rose fully acknowledged in all her
rights, and bright and happy in recov-
cred love and confidence With noble
self-denial he never named Frank, but
at the last hour Roses own heart spoke
for both.
Before you say good-by," she whis-
pered, tell me truly: Do you think
Frank has forgotten me?"
II am sure he has not, Rose. You
will find out one day that his truth and
honor are unstained. But never for
get, child, one thing: Have no engage
ment without your grandfather's
knowledge. l never knew a blessing
on a sinful, willful marriage. The
blessing of frie nds asks Gods blessing,
too, my child"
The war propbesied came with the
rapidity of a thunderstorm. Hardly
had Mr. Aslin got home when the
country was sealed to social inter-
course, and local information became
very uncertain and infrequent. In the
earliest phase OF the excitement, Mr..
Aslin died of heart disease, and Senior
Gonzales went with a troop OF lawless
men to the Mexican frontier. Frank
was in Constantinople, and how the
reckless, improyident family, with a
troop Of lazy, unmanageabIe servants,
was to live without the Judges income
and the senor's overseeing seemed a
doubtful problem.
But time to Rose few in those days
of excitement. One great event trod on
the heels of another. About three
years, after Rose had come to her
own and been received by them, had
passed away; and Rose was still Rose
Van Ransaleur. There had been no
lack of lovers, butnone Of them sui ted
Rose for a husband, and the old gen
tleman smiled grimly as one after an
other stopped visiting at the old brick
mansion.
Getting toward Christmas in the
fourth year of the war, Rose went one
morning with her grandfather to cali
on friend staying in one of the fash
ionable hotels. The clerk who an
swered her grandfathers inquiries was
Frank Aslin Rose looked gladly,
steadily at him; there was 10 doubt of
his identity. In eager, fearful tones
she drew her grandfather aside and
told him all the truth 1t was rather
bitter pill for the old gentleman to
swallow, but he did not hesitate before
so manifest a courtesy and duty.
Still he could not quite control him
self.
These Aslins seem our evil genius,
Rose" he said; their friendship in one
generation is enough"
Nay, grandfather, this generation
reaps what the last one sowed."
He shook his head doubtingly, but
after putting her in the carriage went
frankly up to the young man and said:
"Mr. Frank Aslin?"
For one moment Frank hesitated,
and then answered.:
81 know no reason for denying my
name Necessity has no law, sir"
81 am an old friend of your dead
father, and l propose in the present
unpleasant circumstances to take his
place toward you. VIII you dine with
me tonight at seven o'clock"
The offer so frankly made was as
frankly accepted and the meeting be-
tween guest and granddaughter was
such as to render all explanations I'M
necessary.
Franks story was a very common
one. He had found his money barely
sufficient to bring him back to New
York, and had arrived too late to re-
turn home with safety. His efforts to
obtain employment had been limited
by the fact that he had been brought
up 'to do nothing;" and, without a
trade or profession, he had been thank
full enough to drift into hotel clerk
ship until the evil days were over.
do not pretend that he was a hero,
but Rose glorifed him in her imagina-
ton into one. 1t is a way women
have; and without it, l am afraid, the
world would not get carried on at all.
When the war closed at last, the
Aslin mansion and estate were adver-
tised for sale at mere nominal value.
Old MIR Van Ransaleur brought it
quietly and gave it to Rose for her
wedding present. Frank soon after
carried the title-deeds down south, and
q proud, dark woman took them with
tears of passionate Joy out of his
hands. That was Roses revenge. 1t
might have been Goals of fire to some
people, but it was not to madam. She
had still the idea that in some unex-
planned way she was the injured party.
However, rs the years rolled on and
the beautiful southern sisters got a
habit of coming every summer to Frank
and Rose, more generous feelinp