Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-01-31

sister Martha possesses only the cold
majesty of statue; 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 well?
have seen her again! l see her
now every week. ] have a standing
invitation to Nine Desjardin's We'd
nesday evenings, and she, with her
daughters, comes regularly to mother S
Friday receptions
My mind is filled with collection
of portraits representing Miss Rose in
various guises. Miss Rose in her fairy
like ball dress, Miss Rose in an ex-
quisitely fitting calling suit of deli
cate gray, Miss Rose in white hou SO
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.
One morning l rushed into my
mothers room.
Mamma, love Miss Rose. I must
marry her. Put on your calling dress
as quickly as you can. Take a car
riage, fly to Nine. Desjardin's, and
tell her that, if she refuses to let me
marry her daughter, / shall be wild
with despair-that / shall drown my
self-that-"
"Well, we'll, John, not SO fast,
beg, replied, mamma, quietly, "It
is not customary to make an offer OF
marriage at o'clock in the morning.
Besides, my dear" she added, as she
placed her coffee cup upon the dress
ing table, ''you must remember our
compact. You are not to ask advice,
information or assistance from me.
Marry whom you like. Arrange mat
ters as best you can. 1t is your own
affair"
Decidedly, mamma is still vexed
with me. Very we'll; will do with
out her advice and assistance. This
evening, yes, this very evening. 1
shall lay my heart, my name, my for
tune and my life at the feet of my
dear Rose"
The day passed in an agony of hope
and fear. And to think that /, prac-
tical man that l am, kissed at least
hundred times flower stolen from my
idol And l gazed at that flower like
a school girl dreaming over faded
marguerite as she thinks of the VOWS
of her cousin.
There is a concert and ball at Nine.
Desjardins's.
In the bay window-she wears the
blue tulle dress-I have heaven in my
soul. Oh, how beautiful the May
nights are when one can throw open
the windows of the ballroom When
happy couples, black coat and
light dress, stray out upon the bal
cony to gaze up at the stars. When
the air is filed with the Intoxicating
odor of the dewy foliage.
Does Rose encourage me to conf
dences? She seems vaguely melan-
choly, and the smile has fled from her
lips. Our talk is serious, and is in
terrupted by those long pauses when
the heart seem full to bursting.
Strange! 1t seems as if 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 of child.
The glimpse | catch of this I'M
known person throws an irresistible
charm over my already stricken heart.
What an infnitude of perspectives is
unveiled to my view; child, woman,
trust me Do not hide from me long
er the mysterious treasures of tender
ness half hidden by thy sweet purity
We are alone. The stars watch over
us. [ cannot help but adore thee.
] bend towards her. Suddenly, be-
hind us, there is a movement OF chairs
and rustling of dresses. Whispers
interrupt me.
"The Mariani is going to sing"
murmur the voices.
Oh, what is the famous cantatrice to
me! | am vexed at the interruption.
But soon the light chords of the pre-
lude reach us, like the awaking of birds
in the fields at break of day; then
voice is heard ABOVE the rustling of
fans, magnificent voice which calms
me, moves me, penetrates to my very
soul, and feel great wave of har-
mony pass over me.
She sings:
Maiden. hlrIen to MY prayer
Listen to me, implore
Ny heart will surely break.
And for all thy dear sakel
Maiden, love thee
As | have never. never loved before!
Heavens! l lose my head-I seize