The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-12-04

E . reflection in the mir
@D.H ~ ror, and as the prot-
tily-curved lips parted they showed
the perfect teeth. do l look it,
John? Do l? For l am intensely
anxious as to the effect which shall
produce on your friends and neigh.
bors."
The gray-haired handsome husband
shook his head with smile.
'Hardly, am afraid Rose. A casu-
al observer would be more likely to
think you were young lady spend
ing the holidays with her grandfather.
Fortunately, however, the residents in
these Parts know who you are. ex-
pect they will muster pretty strong ut
church this morning to get good
stare ut YOU"
Rose Clithcroc took her husbands
arm as they passed through the gate
way of the Priory. The Colonel had
inherited the property from IN uncle,
not long before his marriage.
'It looks moro matronly tol take
your arm. john" she said, laughing
But then her mood changed, and she
looked grave, adding:
81 do really teel nervous. I don't
want these people who have known
you all your life to say am too young
and too giddy, and too altogether un-
worthy to be your wife! Do you
think they will be prejudiced against
me by my appearance? L chose n
bonnet and this long sealskin coat be-
cause they make me older than hat
and jacket"
Don't be anxious, child" aud tho
Colonel pressed the hand which rested
on his arm. "Unless people are hope
lessly stupid and short-siShted they
must SEQ Mt glance that you are the
most charming of young women and
am the most fortunate of men, and
blessed altogether beyond my deserts.
But whatever they think, and what
ever they say, the fact remains that
we are entirely satisfied with each
other"
81 am more than satisfied" and
Rose spoke emphatically. 81 often
wonder why such happiness should
come to me wher so many women are
miserably married."
1t was rather o romantic little story,
as things &C in these prosaic times,
that story of how Rose Dysart became
Mrs. Colonel Clitheroe when she was
eighteen and he was forty-six.
Rose declared that she had been in
love with him all her life. Certainly
at two years old she had been in the
habit of assuring him, ''Rosiell marry
you when she's big," whereupon he
always answered, .'All right, little wo-
man, I'll wait for you"
the handsome officer was quite an
amusement to her parents. But when
his regiment was ordered off to India,
and they saw the little face grow white
and thin, and heard her heartbroken
sobs, they laughed no louger. Even
after she ceased to cry for "Rosie's
Colonel" she never forgot him.
The pretty baby had grown to tall,
slim girl of thirteen when these two
friends met again. BY that time Rose
Dysart was pupil at n small and Sc
lect boarding school in the environs of
Paris, and on one of the frequent
visits which her father and mother
paid to their darling, they came, by
chance, across Colonel Clitheroe, who
also was spending q few days in the
gay capital.
''How is Rosie? Has she forgotten
me? were among his first questions.
Mrs Dysart laughed.
"Rose is at school at Neuilly. Come
with us this afternoon, and then Judge
for yourself whether you have been
forgotten"
The girl had not grown stiff and shy.
She was immensely delighted to see
her friend again, and she told him 80.
He jokcd her about her baby over
lures toward him; he reminded her of
how she would drag iootstool across
the room, and ly its aid climb to his
knee, and busy her small hands with
his hair on the pretcxt OF making him
''nice and tidy"
81 have gown gray since those
days, be saidw with half sigh Where
npon Miss Rosc declared that she
liked gray hair best.
Each seemed to please the other;
they seized in moment on each
others meaning, they appeared to Iii.
vine each others thoughts.
81 shall come again" said Colonel
CiItheroc, when the visitors hour was
over and study must br"iu. "I see
that you and | shall he excellent
friends, as We were eleven wears ngo.'
However, he made no second visit
to the 'pcnsionnat' at Ncuillv.sur.
Seine. Ills Old unclc's illness recalled
him suddenly to England, and Rose
Dysart was IL finished young lady and
about to he introduced into society
before sh" had the pleasure OF meet.
ing her Colonel again.