The Louisiana populist., 1897-03-12

again and again If thought I might
win Rose in the end. Speak up for me,
won't you, Colonel?" -
"If a favorable moment comes, but
I don't 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 togeth-
err" said Rawdon. "The chief subjece
| of conversation when we dance or
when we sit out together seems to be
the perfections of Colonel Clitheroe,
and I've had to tell her all l could
think of about you when the regiment
was out in India. After eXhausting
facts l try fiction, seeing that it is the
only way to win smile," and the
young fellow laughed.
The gray-haired man Of six-and-forty
was thinking over this conversation as
the train carried him down to Sussex,
but he thought Of it even more as soon
as Rose, in her bright young beauty,
stood before him. ~ .
Harry Rawdon was good fellow
enough, but not good enough for the
Dysarts' daughter! Who, indeed,
would be worthy of such a wife?
Nevertheless" reflected the Colonel,
Il knew his father when we were both
boys at school. must do my best for
Harry, and one of these days l will
sound Rose on the subject and get an
idea of the state of her heart"
Opportunities Of private chat were
not difficult to find. y"
Mr.. and Mrs. Dysart regarded Colonel
Clitheroe as sort of venerable friend
with whom Rose might be sent to walk,
talk or ride without outraging even the
narrowest notions Of propriety.
Yet the Colonel felt shrinking from
mentioning the subject Of young Raw
don's desires, and from speaking up fol-
his many excellent qualities. He liked
much better to talk over "dear OLD
times,' as Rose called her golden days
Of childhood.
II must have been positive nuisanc,
to you, wasn't l, Colonel?" she said one
day as they paced side by side the ter
raced walk while waiting the summons
to breakfast. Il know l was always
running after you, yet you never seem
ed cross and bored"
II should think not, indeed" and tn.
Colonel laughed. "Your advances were
so flattering. l could not reckon ur
the times you assured me your inten
tion to marry me when you grew big
enough. All, child" and now a cloud
followed the smile, II suppose one Of
these days shall stand among your
| wedding guests-and don't think ]
shall enjoy the ceremony bit"
"You will never be guest" and now
Rose colored, vet held out her hand a,
bravely as when she was child. "Col
| onel, l am going to do something dread
full, I suppose. Please never tell any
one; and please say mo- if you would
| rather give that answer But I an
big enough now, and tell you exact
ly what did when I was years old
I'll marry you'-or I shall certainly
never marry anyone"
And in that moment Colonel Clitheroe
knew that though his hair was plentt
fully streaked with gray and though
his face had lines on it which nothing
hut the passage of years can trace, he
loved Rose Dysart as man loves only
once in a lifetime.
1t was only when he told Mr.. and
Mrs. Dysart Of his good fortune that
he remembered Harry Rawdons com.
mission.
"Never mindr' said Rose. "Your rec
ommedation of him as husband would
not have been Of the slightest use.
have loved you first and last and az
ways-eyer since l was two"
That is how there came to be
young bright girl, who, bearing the
title Of Mrs. Colonel Clithroe, walked
by the side of her elderly husband one
sunny Sunday to the accompaniment
of the church bells. Snow in his hair
summer in her face, yet they were
happy, with a happiness which is the
portion of very few of the men and wo.
men whom the world considers well
matched.-Household Words.