The Portland daily press., 1899-02-04
A MAIDS MOOD.

admired by both sexes She was not rich,
but that did not prevent many lovers of
all sorts and conditions coming to WOO,
but to Rose they were all the same, and
she gave them very little encouragement
except smile at odd times, for which
they were evidently thankful. But IL was
not intended by her poor but fond parents
10 allow her to lose the freshness Of youth
without In some way settling her future.
She was to marry money-that bad been
decided long ago. She had rare beauty,
and while she maintained that anything
was possible.
"This Is tho last tiIne shall aid you in
any way to obtain a suitable husband,
said MIR. Dare one day angrily. "All my
efforts in the past have been useless, but
you ought not, In fairness to your mother
and myself to go on for ever like this. l
cannot afford to keep you in dress and
fallals such ms you like much longer. for
year by year, as you know, the value of
our property is decreasing, and what the
end of it will be heaven only knows"
"But, dad, do not want husband /
do not want to marry yet" answered
Rose, her pretty lips pouting.
But you have said that for the last
three years Now, my dear child, do listen
to reason.
But, dad, do not love Harold Rod
ney,"
"Do you love any one elsoY"
"No"
Then, nv child, love will como. Now
do not let this excellent chance go by.
You know how hard your mother has
worked to entertain him and what an ex-
pense his visit has been. Now run away,
child, and no more nonsense. Mr.. Dare
waved bis hand toward the door with an
air of a pasha and look en- his face that
forbade further conversation.
Rose wandered out into tho sunshine,
her white dress and childish pink sash
looking fresh as the morning itself
she sighed rs she went nevertheless
The sun had no charm for her that day
and, strange to say, her dress gave her no
delight either, although 1t was new, and
u very pretty one, too, donnod with much
pleasure and pride an hour before.
II wish / was like Alice In Wonder
land, " she thought, 80 that l could
change my appearance by growing too big
or too small for my dresses, so that
should look sight; for then perhaps Mr.
Rodney would not propose. That would
serve dad right.
A sudden thought seemed to enter her
:
twinkle in her eye ana mischief lurking
in the dimplc in her checks sho hurrledly
entered the house again, and assembled to
her room, from which she came forth half
an hour later looking II different Rose al
together.
Let him propose now If he can. she
murmured. "As he spoke to dad last
night, suppose no means to do tt today. "
She smiled satisfied smile Us she turned
her head to view tho hang of the back Of
her skirt Presently from amid tho trees
she smelled the perfume of a cigar and
made straight fer the place whence she
guessed the aroma came.
She walked very strangely too. Perhaps
something hurt her foot, and her boots
looked extremely largo for such IA small,
dainty body 10 wear.
Good morning she said, with a
drawl. Doesn't the weather make one
lazy2 Too lazy to wash oneself even.
Good morning" answered Harold
Rodney, allowing his eyes to wander from
her head TO her heels with widest aston
ishment and pain mingled. ut is rather
warm, " he continued as he threw his cigar
into the hedge and proceeded to sent him
self upon "a fullcn tree, looking tho picture
of healthy, handsome English gentle
man.
You arc cut early, are you not?" she
asked, seating herself beside him and
thrusting into sight boot with half tho
buttons undone,
An amused smile rested on his face but
be did not let her SEQ it, and, indeed, it
was hard noa to laugh, for Rose had on an
old gray dress too small Tor her. dirty
ribbon tied around her neck, and another
of different oolor around her hair. Her
hat was a green ono which had seen some
hard winter weather, and her boots were
her mothers
what in the world does it meant"
thought Harold, for he had seen her go
out before in her fresh white gown and
had followed her, hoping to speak Of his
heart's desire. But he couh not find her
This Rose was not the dainty maiden he
had seen there
Yes" he answered, Il was restless
and unsettled, so ! camo hero TO look for
you"
For mep' Rose exclaimed, looking
rather frightened, clutching at the brim of
her hat with hands covered with white cot
ton gloves which had by the look of Them
been used for fruit picking.
YES, he answered Il wanted you TO
talk me into q better frame of mind. r.
Il cant talk. ! never do. A0 least |
YIN generally considered rather silly at
conversation Of any sort
Indeed Since when, Miss Rosef" he
inquired.
"Oh, always" she answered, moving
her arm so that hole In the sleeve could
be seen.
II think must differ with you, for ever
since has been here your conversation
AS been {. arming."
"Ah, expect that was after dinner, :"
she said
after dinner'' he exclaimed in sur
prised tone.
Eyes, 1 generally wake up bit then,
you know"
He gazed at her for moment trying to
grasp her meaning Her whole behavior
was strange, but even this did not dispel
she vision OF the other Rose-the Rose he
ioved and hoped to make his wife. So,
glanoing away from her so as not to be
disturbed by her appearance, he said
slowly: