The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-02-02

disturbed by her appearance. he said, slow
ly:
Il spoke to your father last night upon a
subject that has given me a good deal Of
food for reflection lately"
Yes, he tod-no. I mean-did you!' she
suffered.
He turned suddenly toward her and tried
to see her face. which she turned away.
This explains it he thought. 1T is
evidently my lady loves intention to shock
me--to keep me from declaring my love.
1t is a good hint, but faint heart never
won fair lady, and if she does not love
any one else | will win her" So he drew
little nearer. and said, in low and tender
tones REESE. do YOU guess the subject on
which we spoke?'
mo, haven't the least idea" she an
svered
MAY I tell vou?" bending forward.
80, no. no." she cried. springing to her
feet hurriedly.
Why not. dear?" he said. Rosie, darl-
ing, l must tell you"
He arose and stood before her, and Ger
tainly the michief in his eyes equaled hers
he continued. For you look so very
sweet today
look sweet" she cried. in a dazed
sort of way.
Yes. Rosie-always sweet to me. Won't
you marry me, dear, and make my happi-
ness perfect?"
NO. no, l cannot. What must I say?'
Say. Yes. Harold. l VIII marry YOU
''But | do not love YOU.
do you love any one else?'
mo, of course not
Then why not give yourself to me- dear,
for | love you dearly?"
II cannot" she commenced; then. sud
denly remem bering the conversation with
her father she continued Il suppose l must
say Yes with froWn.
But that, Rosie will not do. 1 want
your love"
why do YOU worry me? You know I
don't love YOU
My lear what has your father said?
Did he tell you l had spoken to him about
you, and that 1 wished to make you my
wife?'
Yes"
"And what else dear?"
HE said 1 ought to navy you, for you
were rich, and he"
Rose got no further, but, hiding her face
with her hands, began to cry pitifully.
Did he want you to marry me even if
you did not love me?"
Yes" Her lips were trembling. and the
efforts she made to control the sobs were
almost more than the man could bear.
How he longed to take her in his arms
and comfort her
He looked quite aged and worn as he
stood there battling with himself, and
thinking Shall 1 marry her and chance
gaining her love, or go away ana try ana
forget her?'
The hungry sorrowful pain would be as
bad for him either way, and if he thought
of her happiness he must leave her
The victory came soon, the better part OF
his love rose uppermost Just then he
| thought ONLY of what would be the best for
| her. So taking her hand in his and gently
| stroking her dainty fingers, he said In ten
! der tones:
And this is why you dressed strange
w. If YOU only knew how much l loved you
hat w
you would still be dear to me, still my
! little rosebud.'
Rose hung her head. How awfully silly
she must be to be found out so easily.
There, dear" he said presently. Forget
| all this, and be your own lght-hearted,
pretty self again. I shall not offend any
more"
But dad?" Rose exclaimed.
| He need never know. l will go away to-
| morrow morning most important bust
| ness; you understand, dear?'
| 80, thank you. thank you! she said, ana
she pressed his hand for a moment to her
breast in sheer thankfulness.
| She did not know how hard it was for
| Harold Rodney not 10 take her in his arms
| there and then and say he could not give
! her up, come what would.
| He went as he promised. next day, much
| to Mr. Dare's disgust, for he felt sure he
had not spoken to Rose She would not be
| so silly as to send him away after what he
! Only two or three days passed before
| Rose found that she missed her gray eyed,
| tender lover missed his care and attention
| and the place seemed very lonely. Before a
| month had passed she wished him back
again but the knowledge that she loved
him did not fully develop until she heard
| one day that he was married Then it came
suddenly to her with overwhelming force.
Then she cried and called herself naughty
names and longed and longed that she
th0 ocf
How many of us, 1 wonder. have done
that? But it was no good. The love of her
life had come and gone so quickly that she
had hardly time to recognize the fact.
She was sitting day on the same tree
where he had told his love, trying to recall
every look and word he had uttered to her
there and unbdden the tears gathered in
her eyes and presently overflowed and fell
one by one on to her clasped hands.
oh 1 wish-I wish he were here" she
murmured, sorrowfully.
"Who?" inquired vaice she knew Sc
we'll.
Some one who is not worth a thought"
| Rose, it was not I?'
"You-a married man." with horror.
"You have been misinformed," he said. II
am not married, nor am likely to be, I'M
les" He paused, putting forth his hand
yearningly. .
| Not married. she cried. "CnleSS-
"Unless you love me and will marry me,
| dear l was going away tomorroW-far far
away-to try and forget, and came down
TODAY to get a last glimpse of you to carry
away with me: something for my heart to
feed on but now
"Now?" she echoed.
"Will you, dear?"
! "Yes"-The Princess.