The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-07-07

street by the Office I threw a folder
newspaper down into the street, and
when she looked up 1 called her.
While she comes upstairs let me ex-
plain that this Fanny is the daughter OF
Jane, my housekeeper
Fanny came in blushing and smiling
all futter of delight at seeing s.Mr
Albert" as she always called me. She
was now a plump, rosy Irish maiden OF
IL, and [ was the nearest TO brother
that the girl had ever known.
| assumed solemn and Inournful coun-
tenance. Fanny, haven't | always been a
friend TO your | asked patheticany.
SO you have, Mr.. Albert" she said
You've been the best friend my mother
and ever knew. May l make bod tc
ask what is the matter?" | am certain
that some III has come to you"
We'll, Fanny, for certain reasons
which 1 cannot explain now, but VIII al
some future time, 1t is OF Importance 10
me that Mrs. Ferguson should not be
able to leave the house tomorrow
Yes, sir
Gracious, SIR how can I prevent it?
She doesn't ask me if she may go, and
L daren't speak unless I'm spoken to-"
amy, Mrs. Ferguson wears a wig,
said majestically, looking her full in
''Oh, fie Mr. Albert" she cried, blush
ing. What could you be thinking to
listen to such a story, when"
Now, Fanny l SAID, coming to the
point and speaking in my most persua-
sive tones, If a spark or a bit OF lighted
paper were TO fall ON that wig after she
is well in bed and cannot save it
oh, Mr.. Albert" she said, wringing
her hands. ''Pll do anything else, but
this ] dare not. ia as soon set the house
on ire. Why, she'd XIII me enCre.y.
mere was but one way for me. let
my head drop into my hands and groan-
ed. There was silence for moment,
then L heard a stified sign.
Presently drew long, heavy sigh,
ana FINISHED off with very well execut-
Don't, Mr.. Albert, don't! Tll-Tll do
it! I'll do anything you bid me, and
may l be forgiven my sins. If you btd
me III pull the wig off her old head and
put it on the kitchen. fire before she can
l felt her little red hand on my coat
sleeve and heard her sob ciose to my ear.
When / went into Mrs. Ferguson S
parlor the next day the trio were there
Ferguson was unwell and could not join
US, they saiq trying to look grave.
The girl appeared to me in a new char
acter that day. State and dignity were
rode out with us. She ran little races,
she sang snatches of song, she took her
horse out of the road TO jump over sticks
and stones.
My place was small enough, a stone cot
tage with four acres of land, but it was
old and well cultivated
They seemed well pleased and presently
Fred and Eva wandered off down the
garden. Rose leaned back in a garden
chair and locked up into the thick maple
that threw its pickering shades over her
beautiful face. in which the gayety had
given place TO an expression of dreamy
softness.
Rose" I said, lastly, going to her,
who knows when l may have a chance
to speak TO you alone aagni? Forgive
me if 1 am premature and presumptuous.
l DO not need to know you longer 20 be
sure that l love you. If l had palace
1 would gladly offer it to you. 1 have
nothing but myself and this cottage. VIII
you take us?''
She looked at me, pale with astonish-
ment.
Mr.. Morgan, have been told that you
are to be married this fall
so I am if you will have me. Believe
nothing, but that 1 love you. Rose
''Oh, hush. | must not listen 1 am
ag1tated. almost frightened. "Call Eva,
she said. 1T is time to go home"
l called the others, ordered our horses,
and we started for home. Rose immedi-
ately called Fred to her side and l rode
by Eva, too much depressed and TOO
much occupied with my own thoughts
to perceive that we rode in utter silence.
why, how dark it grows!' cried Eva.
And there's drop OF rain
Presently l felt something touch my
arm, a light hand slid within it, and Rose
was beside me.
You are angry with me-" she whisper
ed, when there was an instants hush in
the storm.
/ covered the small hand with mine.
No, Rose, I am not angry, only more
bitterly disappointed than | can tell you.
You were right to speak sincerely. [ do
not complain. Go in now; you will get
wet
She did not stir, only stood there lean
ing ON my arm.
TT is too late to say that 1 will be
free" she said presently. And l did not
speak from my heart. l was surprised
and did not know what to do. had not
thought, L had not hoped" and she
stopped.
the clouds broke rosiiy, and a gli7nmer of
a rainbow was hung out on the last
trail of darkness.
THAT is my rainbow" whispered Rose.
"It promises me.
This is my rainbow" I answered.
a smile shone up through moist eyes.
1 went in only for a, word OF good night
when we reached home, and was just go
ing out when somebody fitted downstairs
and Fannie stood in the vestibule await
ing me, her face pale, her eyes scared.
"Oh, Mr.. Albert I was like to have
been killed. she whispered. Mrs. Fer
guson slapped me in the face, and she
has given me warning and l thought she
was going to scratch my eyes out What
will l do?''
me, Fanny, and wait on my wife," 1
asked.
"Well. come as soon as you like-even
tomorrow.
"oh, you told me you were not going
to marry Miss Rose today" she said,
divided between delight and reproach.