Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-12-23
MRS. COLONEL
CLITHEROE."

Mrs. Colonel CltherOe. And with
the utterance of those words the brown
eyes seemed to laugh at their own re-
Gection in the mirror, and as the pref
tiiy curved lips parted they showed the
perfect teeth. DO look II, John? Do
j? For l am intensely anxious as to
the effect which l shall produce Oh
your friends and neigbDors."
The grayhaired handsome husband
shook his head with a smile.
Hardly, am afraid. Rose. A casual
observer would be more likely to think
you were young lady spending the
holidays with her grandfather. For
'tunately, however, the residents in
these parts know who you are. l eI-
pect they will muster pretty strong at
church this morning to get a good
stare at you"
Rose Clithroe took her husbands arm
as they passed through the gateway of
the priOry. The Colonel had Inherited
the property from an uncle not long be.
fore his marriage.
at looks more matronly to take your
arm, john" she said, laughing. But
then her mood changed and she looked
grave, adding:
II do really feel nervous. / don't
want these people who have known
you all your life TO say l 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? / chose a bonnet and
this long sealskin coat because they
make me older than the hat anG
Jacket"
Don't be anxious, child" and the
Colonel pressed the hand which rested
on his arm. Unless people are hope
lessly stupid and short-sighted they
must see at Il glance that you are the
most charming of young women and l
am the most fortunate of men, and
blessed together beyond my deserts
But whatever they think and whatever
they say, the fact remains that we are
entirely satisfied with each other
II am more than satisfied" and Rose
spoke emphaticalIy. Il often wonder
why such happiness should come to ME
when so many women are miserably
married
1t WIS rather 4 romantic little story
as things go in these prosaic times
that story of how Rose Dysart beca me
Mrs. Colonel Clitheroe when she was
is and he was 46.
Rose declared that she had been H.
love with him all her life. Certainly at
2 years old she had been in the habit
Of assuring him, 'Rosie'll marry you
when she's big" whereupon he al
ways answered, "All right, little wo
man. I'll wait for you"
The child's passionate devotion to the
handsome officer was quite an amuse-
ment to her parents. But when his
regiment was ordered off to India, and
they saw the little face grow white ana
chin, and heard her heArtbroken sobs.
they laughed no longer. Even after
she ceased to cry for "Rosie's colonel
she never forgot him.
The pretty baby had grown to a tail,
slim girl of 13 when these two friends
met again. BY that time Rose Dysart
was a pupil at a small and select board
ing 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 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 beer
forgotten"
The girl had not grown stif and shy
She was immensely delighted to see
her friend again, and she told him SO.
He joked her about her baby overtures
toward him; he reminded her Of how
she would drag a footstool across the
room, and by Its aid climb to his knee
and busy her small hahds with his hair,
On the prstext of maxim. him -n3oe and
tidy"
Il have grown gray since thoss
Gays" he said with half sigh Where
upon Miss Rose declared that she Nkef
gray hair best
Each seemed to please tie other.
they seixed in moment sn Zach ofhers
meaning. they appeared to A1Efne eaCl
Dther's thoughts.
81 shall come again." sid Co2sne.
Baltheroe, when the visibscS h0ur ve,
0ser, and study must begin. Il sef