Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-01-28
CHAPTER XIX

Inc temperance of the photographer
on the scene of action here forced Sir
Wllfrid to tear himself away; and after
promising to return and sit for his por-
trait, he left Rosie to think over the en-
citing interview she had passed through.
AS soon as ever the days work was
completed, she hurried on her walking
apparel and took her way to the .Adclphi.
Sir Wilfrid had asked her to give her
own name to his servants, to avoid any
scandal: and as soon as the valet. who
answered the door to her, heard it, he
ushered her without into his
masters sitting room, where she found
Nllfrid seated before a blazing fire, and
beside a table laid out with every luxury
suitable to an afternoon tea.
AS soon us the door was closed behind
her, and they found themselves alone, the
brother and sister flew into each others
arms.
"And now. Rosie" exclaimed Sir vii.
frid, when their rapture at their reunion
had somewhat abated, 'thc first thing you
II do is to eat. l won't hear another
word, nor answer II question, till you have
had your tea. Here is some very tolera.
Die bread and butter considering Harvey
cut IT'D. and some first rate Dalmani-I can
vouch for the excellence of the Dalmani,
because tried it at luncheon. And what
is this? Oh! Il cold game pie. And hero
is some euava jelly (you girls are always
ready for swectsl, and sced-cakc, and-''
Stop. stop. Wilfrid!" cried Rosie.
la,lElling; you talk as if / had had moth.
ing to cat since we parted. | have not
been starved, assure yo,i, dear, and l
had my dinner later than usual to-day.
so that l would rather wait IL little-;f ii
is all The same TO you-bcforc | take INV
tea
Shc had c;Moved her hat and cloak by
this time, and now stood up before the
glass, alh rutilcd her bonny brown hal,
becomingfy with her hands.
you are prcttier than ever, Rosic,'
said her brother, admiringly; land l real.
ly think YOU have grown. But now tel.
me everything. dear. l am burning to
hear where you have been all this time
You are alone, Rosie, l hope? You are
not married?"
The brightness died out of her laughins
eyes.
NO, Wilfrid, l am not married, nor dc
1 think l ever shall be. 1 have seen too
much Of the effects of marriage on my
friends. 1t seems to me it is better left
alone"
But what made you leave us oil in 50
mysterious and extraordinary a way:
dear? You don't know the misery and
anxiety you have caused me-"
Dear old boy" said the girl, affections
ately. ".And you were the only ono !
grieved after, too. The reason / went
was this, Wilfrid. You know 1 told YOU
it was impossible for me to live mt Lamb
scote. Don't let us alludc to that uucs.
ton again. 1t is settled, once and forever.
But IN insisted that l should do so.
She called me ungratcful and disobcdicnt,
and said ! was a burden. and all sorts
of hard things, and threatened to take
me back to Somcrsetshire herself. And
so 1 ran away. The money you had given
nc kept me until l got work. and since
I obtained that l have kept myself. There
is my whole history, Wilfrid. \ very
simple one, with nothing in the back
ground. You reed not be ashamed of me,
brother. l have done nothing TO disgrace
my birth or breeding. And-cxccpt fo.
not seeing you'll have been tolerably
happy"