The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-08-10


Greuze! What delicious preserves your
must be! And what an adorable little house
wife you must make in a large white apron
your sleeves rolled up to show the dimples Il
your elbows! LOok-yOu can see them now
$ Just above your gloves! What II sweet pictur
Surely have found the dream Of my life
, dear, rosy, ingenious little wife who make
preserves! "Jack, dearie, taste my Jelly J.
How these words go to aman's heart! VIVA
baccalaureate would ever condescend to cal
me "dearic?' She would never make th
preserves.
Thus | rush into it. I diyulge my theorie
upon the education and destiny of woman
Wife and mother--the angel of the fireside
no more, no less. Slyly send few arrows
against the pedestal of the Grecian goddess
the Pallas Athene and | praise, with rart
tact tlatter myself, the art of housekeeping
which am sure Miss Rose understands tt
perfection. But / Immediately repent. She
bushes with modesty, poor child Perhaps
too, she is a little hurt to see her sisters elias
sis belongings so little appreciated.
Quick, must repair my blunder. ] viii
ask Pallas Athenc for a quadrille.
'Well, Jack, said mamma, when comforta-
bly, installed in the coupe which was carrying
us far from Miss Rose, 'dO you regret having
thrown away your evening, my SOM?
"ThrOwn away" is rather severe, mamma
NhIlt. DcSItTulIls anu HcT uutSHtcIs
been much less charming | should not have
regretted accompanying you when you want
ed me to do So But my opinions are I'M
changed | confess. Baccalaureates have no
charm for me.
CAS- you like. my son. You are perfectly
welcome to your own opinion
What was the meaning of the smile, half
satisfied half rOgush which fitted across
mammals face, under the shadow of her white
lace scarf.
o Rose, Rose! Every night my dreams are
haunted by your dress of azure blue. Why,
o Rose, are your eyes the color of your gown!
Why do tiny curls escape from the coil of
your fair hair to nestle tremblingly in your
neck, like pale smoke, golden mist? Why
do gay dimples spring in your velvety cheeks
when you smile? Above all, why, O Rose of
May, sweet Rose without thorns, has heaven
placed you beside gorgeous but perfumeless
tulip, glowing like flame in the pride of her
beauty? Rose, you have made me faithless to
the classic beauty. For me your sister Martha
possesses only the cold majesty of statue. A
religious awe steals over me when gazing on
your pure face. Rose, | am only happy near
you!
Thus my thoughts wandered for eight long
days. Was it my thoughts alone? What was
there to prevent the straying of my heart as
we'll?
have seen her again see her now every
week. l have standing invitation to Nine.
Desjardins' Wednesday evenings, and she,
with her daughters, comes regularly to moth
er's Friday receptions.
My mind is filled with collection of por-
traits representing Miss Rose in various guises
Rose in an eXquisitely fitting calling suit of
delicate gray Miss Rose in white house
dress, adorned with dainty Russian apron.
But in these various aspects she is always the
same little Rose, whose sweet graces have
gone to my very heart.
room.
Mamma, love Miss Bose; must marry |
her. Put on your calling dress as quickly as
you can. Take Il carriage, fly to Mme Des-
jardins' and tell her that if she refuses to let
me marry her daughter Ishall be wild with
l shall drown myself-that' =
swell, well, Jack, not so fast, l beg" re-
Piled mamma quietly. sit is not customary
% make an offer of marriage at nine o'clock in
he morning. Besides, my DEAR" she added
Is she placed her coffee cup upon the dressing
able, ''you must remember our compact.
You are not to ask advice, information or as
istance from me. Marry whom you like.
wn affairs"
Decidedly mamma is still veXed with me!
rery well, / will do without her advice and
ssistance. This evening, yes, this very even
az, l will lay my heart, my name, my fortune
nd my life at the feet OF my dear rose.
ear And to think that l, practical man that
am, kissed at least a hundred times flower
tolen from my idol! And gazed at that
lower like schoolgirl dreaming over faded
as she thinks of the vows of her
ousin.
There Is a concert and ball at Nine. Dcs
ardins'.
In the bay window-she wears the blue tulle
lress-I have heaven in my soul! oh, how
beautiful the May nights are, when one can
brow wide open the windows of the ball
Dom! When happy couples, a black coat and
| light dress, stray out upon the balcony to
,aZe up at the stars. When the air is filed
With the Intoxicating odor of the dewy TO-
iage.
Does Rose encourage me to condolences ,
She seems vaguely melancholy and the smile
las fled from her lips. Our talk is serious
md is interrupted by those long pauses when
he heart seems full TO bursting. Strange. 1t
Gems as if a new being were gradually being
evolved from the young girl have known.
Rose seems like woman to me now yes, like
woman who still retains the sweet naivete I
If child.
The glimpses catch of this unknown per-
on throw an irresistible charm over my al
eady stricken heart. What an infinitude of )
is unveiled to my view-child,
woman, trust me. Do not hide from me
Dnger the mysterious treasures of tenderness
alf hidden by thy sweet purity. We are
lone. The stars watch over us. | cannot
clip but adore thee. ,
l bend toward her. Suddenly behind us
here is a movement of chairs and rustling
t dresses. Whispers interrupt me. '
is 10, II, L.,
he voices. ,
Oh, What is the famous cantatrce to me |.
am vexed at the interruption. But soon the ,
ght cords of the prelude reach us. like the (
of birds in the fields at break of .
ay then voice is heard above the rustlng :
t fans, a magnificent voice, which Gains me- 1
loyes me, penetrates to my very soul. and
eel a great wave of harmony pass over me.
She sings:
Maiden, hearken TO my prayer.
Listen to me- implorel d
My heart will surely break. b
And all for thy dear sake.
Maiden. love thee Ii
As have never, never loved before
Heavens. ! lose my head seize the -,
emblng hand resting upon the window sill. !,
ose starts. Sing on, blessed voice. sing on, \
I'd whisper to my beloved all that fills my a
cart! And yet dare not speak: e
Fain would serve thee, u
NV ladylove, my queen,
I.o. where before thee PROSTATE I'm kneeling,
All, trust me, and will faithful prove, o
BE but my own, my wife, my love!
A round of applause follows. | bend to u
ard my darling, who smiles. but seems I
lady to cry. b
"Rose. Rose. do you understand. Rose. :,
i'll you trust me, that l may prove my faith y
mess TO theeg Will you be my own: my II
ife my love.'' G,
She signs; she trembes. No, am not mis- N,
ken. She loves me; she loves me. | read il ~ :.