The Opelousas courier., 1898-02-05
RoSa's Engagement.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

"But do you really mean it, Mr.
Brabazon?"
Rosa Dale was standing in the illu
minated archway Of the autumn woods
her bright braids of hair pierced b,
one or two wandering sunbeams, he
dimpled face framed in, as it were, b,
sprays OF red-veined leaves, while he:
apron was full Of the glistening brown
chestnuts which she had picked up.
John Brabazon leaned against the
tall, smooth trunk of o birch tree, ant
looked at her with a lazy, luxuriou.
sense OF artistic beauty entering int
his mind as he gazed.
"Of course I mean it, " said he.
But l am only twelve years old, >
cried Rosa, fiinging back the sum,
tendrils of hair that hung over hel
forehead.
You are exactly twelve times as
lovely as any of the city bellies that
congregate here-abouts, said Mr.,
Brabazon, striving to conceal a yawn.
And if they think l am engaged
don't you see?-there will be some
probability of their leaving off perse-
cutting me.
Well /" said Rosa, every dimple
coming shyly out on lip and cheek as
she stood there.
Its to be a compact, eh?" said
MI. Brabazon.
Rosa nodded her fair little head,
But, she questioned, rather du-
biously, "where is the ring?
"The-what ?"
1.-The engagement ring, Mr.. Braba-
zon, explained Rosa, reproachfully,
Don't you know there's always a
ring In the novels ? And most gen
orally it's a diamond.
IF you'll believe me-" said Mr..
Brabazon tragically, IT never thought
of the ring. But here's a little onal
that used to be my mothers, hanging
my watch chain. Won't that do ?"
Rosa held out her brown finger,
while he fitted it on.
"You-you haven't kissed me vet "
she said, when this ceremony was
complete. "Lovers always kiss their
iancees !"
Mr.. Brabazon laughed.
"Come, " said he, "this is getting
serious. But here's the kiss. before
he rest of the chestnut party get
back. And, mind, this is to be q
profound secret between you and
Rosa a back home with q vague
.ensation of mysterious delight, and
bought how nice MI. Brabazon
ooked, all the time she was MUNICH
ng her roasted chestnuts and Mr..
srabazon himself took advantage of
ne little joke to proclaim himself an
:ngaged man. Nor is it an exaggera-
ion to say that the young ladies were
enuinely disappointed.
1T must be a recent thing" said
ate Kennedy, tossing her head.
oh, quite recent, acknowledged
[r. Brabazon.
Glove at first sight 2? " asked Miss
'ay.
"N-no, not exactly, +" said Brab-
ION. "In fact, Imay say that I have
imired the young lady since her
What a delightful enigma !" said
ellie Vernon, looking anything but
slighted. "But, Of course, Mr..
rabazon, you'll tell us her name ?"
: am pledged to secrecy, " said the
gagged man, solemnly.
And when he left the Mountain
otch, in the late autumn, and forgot
about the wild little woodland
rite who climbed trees and pelted
n with chestnuts, waded with brown /.
implied feet in the foamy waters of the
On torrent, and conducted him so |
ysteriously to the barn-chamber to
him birds nests, butterfly wings
d diamond-bright pebbles, how was
TO know that she remembered the :
ISOLDE under the yellow-leaved
estnut trees as a red-letter day in /
r calendar
he ought to write to me, said !
gloomily, as the weeks and
.nths glided by, and no letter came. g
do hope he isn't going to turn out
SO, like the wicked cavaliers in the a
ny books. /" I,
Ind when Mr.. Brabazon sent her a A
90 wal doll, with its miniature Sar- q
ga trunk and complete outfit Of b
.~antly-made dresses, at Christmas. "
flew into a passion.
AS II | We're a baby " said she. y
! doll, indeed, and I twelve wears q
In October I wonder if he takes al
for q child? Who ever heard Of : B
ltiemen sending a doll to the Young in
: he was engaged to 2" a,
My dear Rosa, = said her mother ie
vexed, half amused, .swhat non. "
you are talking |" q
We are engaged |" said Rosa
ee the ring B,
nd she shyly pulled it out from TO
bosom of her dress. an
It was only . joke, !" said Mrs.
T was sober earnest y flashed So
Rosa. i,
nv dear, 2 said Mrs. Dale. is
vent yon heard ? Mr.. Brahazon
2 be married to Lady Helen Hart Re
, Mrs. Pailleton's English neice. fol