The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-07

women, and when they knew him they were
glad to have him, for his own sake.
1t was just we'll they were not filed uI
at once.
The aunt was merely a figure-head. set ur
to please Mrs Grundy, and there was
naturally much to be learned by three such
young women that only experience could
teach.
But having so long been the mistress of the
house, her role was not altogether strange
to Mary.
Decima's clear head soon gave her a GRASP
of the bookkeeping part of the business;
while Rose overlooked the entertaining and
general pretty-pretty part Of the work.
Thus the busy days flew quickly by till
spring was almost gone, and one May morn
ing found Rose walking along in the large
garden that made the center of the Kensing-
ton Square in which they lived; an old
pretty garden, with large shady trees and
unexpected hooks beneath big shrubs.
She was very pensive, and there was a sad
droop at the corners of her rosy lips-a very
sad droop
What was the matter with her?
Was she still grieving for the father tc
whom she had been baby" till the last?
1t cannot be said that this was the cause
Of this mornings sadness, not the direct
cause, at all events.
Terrible as that had been to her childish
mind, coming so suddenly, too, on what hao
been such brilliant opening to her life, she
had to a certain got over it by now.
And the days of weeping that had beer
followed by nights wherein terrible hearses
and sunshiny, adoring face, rose-buds and
Grape, words of love and Dust to dust,
were blended in a bewildering and awful
way, seemed more like nightmare of Ions
ago than any phase she had really passed
through.
Beloved father and wondrous hero-bott
had passed beyond her ken, and she had re-
signed herself to the new order of things 81
successfully that regrets grew fewer every
day, and she was beginning to find Arthur
Gordon's unobtrusive attentions pleasant.
Then last night, at classical concert II
which Elizabeth Fanshawe, who was nov
staying with them-for it had happened az
Rose had foretold, and not as Decima had
in her over-sensitiveness imagined it nigh
had insisted on their going, what had oc
CURED but that she should see the won
drous hero again!
Yes, impossible though it seemed, the
Comte de la Monneraye had been at a quie
concert in commonplace London and
further, he had seen and spoken to them.
And he had worn pink rosebud in hi:
button-hole and had looked at her in JUS
the same adoring way as Of old.
He had also asked if he might call on then
next afternoon, and she had gone to bed too
happy to sleep.
But the night had brought reflection anG
all pleasure had fed under the thought tina
when he discovered their changed position II
life, Monsieur de la Monneraye wouid-Well
he would very possibly not find Rose ane
Decima Russell, boarding house keepers, ths
Rose and Decima Russell Fof the Crane
Hotel, Mentone, whom he doubtless imagined
young ladies of social position and fortune.
If they were to see anything more of him
he must know Of their altered circumstance:
sooner or later, and her good sense, as wei
as her honesty, told her that the sooner
would be the better in this case
Poor little Rose! her attitude was very
limp as she sat down detected on a rustic
bench in the garden, instead of hurrying of
to do the shopping Mary had sent her out for
She had barely seated herself, when hel
ponderngs were very rudely disturbed by IL
less person than the Comte de la Nome
rave himself.
He was walking slowly towards her, ant
whereas yesterday her heart had gallopee
with joy at the sight of him, today it sani
like lead, as she noted the distinction of hi.
bearing and the grace with which he barec
his dark curls as he stopped before her.
Even had she still been the heiress
daughter of a wealthy stockbroker, he wa:
as far above her she was above old Betsy
the crossing-sweeper.
Fate is too kind he said easily, in tht
well-remembered musical voice, hi
clasIed her hand warmly. 81 grumbled like
an Englishman this morning because bust
nes5 brought me near here, and I meet yol
| like this! I saw you vanish in this garde1
as I passed by. You will forgive if
came also? I may rest little while beside
your
1T is pretty here, isn't it?" Rose said
making room for him.
For London, yes. But you are tired?" He
looked searchingly at her. "You found the
concert fatguing?"
"Oh, no, not at all! 1t was a great
pleasure" Rose answered. quietly the sub
duedness that had apparently struck him
breaking up little as she resolved that she
would tell him about the boarders now and
hoc 70 a c ca inc
for doing so gracefully. IF L seemed tired
it WAS because I was a little sad. II WAS