The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-18

Their and mother"
You will be reconciled to leave us when
the right man and right moment arrive"
said Mrs. Dysart. "You may not think
so now; girls never do before they are
really in love. But in all probability the
time Will come when of your own free
will, you will 60 away from u.s."
Rose shook her head.
81 can't think SO, mother. However,
let us talk Of some more interesting SUBJ
ject-of my being presented, for instance.
Can you picture me, colonel, making my
courtesy and kissing the hand of royaltyP
l hope l shan't turn awkward and shy at
the last moment I ought not, for, as u
little girl, with n counterpane in place of a
train, have practiced my manners over
and over again.
They all laughed.
"No, I scarcely think you will he shy"
eaid Colonel Clitheroe. "Besdcs the mo-
ment makes the man, they shy. So, Of
course, it makes the woman"
The important day came. Rose Dysnrt
was simply yet elegantly dressed, and her
fresh young face won its fair share of no.
tice AS she waited among the crowd of
dehutantcs.
Then followed six weeks of gayety-con-
certs, operas, dances, garden parties, rid
ing in the row. Nevertheless the girl
was glad when her father decided to re-
turn to the country before midsummer.
Everything seemed beautiful and en-
deared by absence. The trees had cx-
changed their first freshness of tender
green for the ripeness Of summer beauty.
The hawthorn and bluebells were over
and done with, but tho foliage of tho
woods seemed lovely by contrast with
Hyde park.
Colonel Clitheroe was to be one Of tho
after season guests at the Dysarts' country
house. He followed them within u fort
night of the departure from Eaton place.
Was anything troubling him2 Was he
ILL., Those were tho questions they
asked him, for he did not seem so cheerful
as usual, and he was apt to drop into fits
of musing, SO that even the voice of Rose
made him start us ono uoes who returns
suddenly from the land of dreams to reality
The fact was that he had promised to
execute II commission which was distasto-
full to him.
"Colonol," bright faced gunrdsmnn
had said to him one day, IN tell you
secret. am in love with Rose Dysart,
and l shall never care for another girl.
Now, you and my father were boys togcth
er, and you are the Oldest friend possess
in all tho world. Say good word for me,
will your She thinks You infallhlo upon
every point. She has told mo herself that
there is no one like you.
Colonel Clitheroe worked vigorously Mt
a TUT Of grass with the toe of his boot for
some moments before answering,
"Have you spoken Tor YOURSELF" he sud-
denly inquired.
Not in plain words. Every time l try
and get round to tho point thoro seems
difficulty. But | would try my luck again
and again if thought | might win Rose
in tho end. Speak up for mo, won't you,
coloncl?'
''lf favorable moment comes. But
dent see what my recommendation can do
for you"
Hasn't she known you all her life, and
doesn't she think YOU worth any number
Of young fellows put together said Raw
don. "Ths chief subject of conversation
when we dance or whom we sit out toGcth-
er seems to he tho perfectinns of Colonel
Cltheroe, and I've had to tell her all I
could think Of about you when the reg-
mrnt WAS nut in India. After cxhausting
facts try fiction, seeing that it Is the only
way to win smilu. +" And the young fell
low laughed
The gray haired rRn Of six and forty
WIS thinking over tE!s conversation as tho
train carried him down to Sussex but h0
thought of 1t oven moro Ms soon aS Rose
In her bright young beauty, stood before
him.
Harry Rawdon was q good follow enough,
but not coed enough fer tie Dysarts'
daughter Who, indeed, would DO worthy
Of such wife?
Nevertheless, reflected the colonel
II knew his father when we were both
boys at school. | must do my best for
Harry, and one of these days will sound
Rose on tho subject and got an idea Of tho
state Of her heart"
Opportunities Of private chat were not
difficult to find.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dysart regarded Colonel
Clitherco as u sort of venerable friend,
with whom Rose might lie sent to walk,
talk OF ride without outmging even tine
notions Of propriety
Yet tho colonel felt shrinking from
tie su'lect OF young Raw;
IONS desires ana from HieaklhS up lT
MS many eAceiloht qua!lties' ne likeu
much bsttof 10 'alk over uear oid tiMcs
Us hose calleu her golueh days OF chilli
hood
II must havo been positive nuisance
to you, wasn't |, colonel" she said ono
day us they paced 500 by side tho tcrraceu
walk while waiting tho summons TO
breakfast II Know was always running
hft"r you, yet you never seemed cross anu
bored.
II should think not indeed, y and tho
colonel laughed. Your advances wero
SO iiattering. l could not reckon up tho
tines you assdrcd mo your intention to
marry mo wien you grew big enough. All,
- suppose one Oh bHose ulS sihiil Htanu
.h;'S ioIr ,m m',s tL"t noromau W., o