The Louisiana populist., 1897-03-12

frlendS, as we were eleven years ago.
However, he made no second visit to
the "pensionnat' at Neuilly-sur-Seine.
His old uncle's illness recalled him sud
denly to England and Rose Dysart was
finished young lady and about to be
introduced into society before she had
the pleasure of meeting her colonel
again.
This girls face was not strictly beau
tiful, but it was charming face. She
was immensely admired, both by men
and women. And there must be some
thing lovable as we'll as lovely in a
young lady of II when those Of her
own sex express sincere admiration
and can praise her -heartedly.
"She will certainly marry young"
said elderly people, but it never oc-
CURED to any Of them to suppose that
this sunny-faced Rose Dysart would
refuse three eligible men simply be-
cause she loved a middle-aged colonel.
Like many other parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Dysart seemed to regard their
daughter as little more than a child.
They scarcely realized that others
viewed her differently.
"Of course, like other girls, Rose must
60 into society,"" they said, "but we
hope it may be years and years before
we have to part with her."
And they were quite delighted that
she should refuse her first three offers
of marriage.
1t was in the spring and just before
her eighteenth birthday that the
Dysarts left their pretty Sussex home
for furnished house at Elton place,
which they had hired for the season at
somewhat exorbitant rent.
To the great JOY Of Rose, Colonel
Clitheroe was one Of the first callers.
He also was in town for two or three
months, having, during the previous
year, buried his old uncle and inherited
the property.
"My dear fellow" said Mr. Dysart to
him, with the familiarity Of a friend of
long standing, you really ought not to
remain unmarried. Try to remember
that you are depriving some woman OF
an excellent home and still more ex-
cellent husband! A man in the prime
of life--well off, good-looking, retired
from the army-where lies the him
drance"
"Simply in this" replied the Colonel.
II have never been in love, and I
should be afraid to marry now that l
am past the tender passion. You see
there is no three years system in mat
rimony. 1t has to be till death do us
part"
Mr.. Dysart laughed.
"You must not be allowed to remain
bachelor, my dear Clitheroe. I shall
look round for some nice woman of
about flve-and-thirty, and try my 'pren-
tice hand at matchmaking"
"No; don't you get married, Colonel
exclaimed Rose, who was in the room.
II like you best as you are. Indeed, !
think changes are almost disagreeable.
1t Is pleasanter for things to go on
pretty much the same. / mean to re-
main single all my life so as never to
have to leave father and mother"
"You will be reconcilled 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 prob
ability the time will come when, of
your own wish and will; you will 20
away from us"
Rose shook her head.
II can't think so, mother. However,
let us talk Of some more interesting
subject--of my being presented, for in
stance. Can you picture me, Colonel,
making my courtesy and kissing the
hand OF royalty? hope l sha'n't turn
awkward and shy at the last moment.
| ought not, for as little girl, with a
counterpane in place of a train, l have
practiced my manner over and over
again."
They all laughed.
"No, | scarcely think you will be
shy" said Colonel Clitheroe. Besides,
the moment makes the man, they say
so, of course, it makes the woman"
The important day came. Rose
Dysart was simply, yet elegantly,
dressed, and her fresh young face won
It's fair share Of notice as she awaited
among the crowd Of debutantes.
Then followed six weeks Of gayety;
concerts, opera, dances, garden parties,
riding 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 ex-
changed their first freshness of tender
green for the ripeness of summer
beauty; the hawthorn and bluebells
were over and done with, but the foli-
age Of the woods seemed lovely by con-
trast' with Hyde Park.
Colonel Clitheroe was to be one OF
the after season guests at the Dysarts
country house; he followed them within
fortnight Of the departure from Eton
0Iacn