Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-12-19
HIS WEDDING PRESENT.
Hush ! it is Clarence Hyde's step

IOol anu SHAiiHSi "4'4 'o J
picked heliotrope trembling among
her glossy, brown braids and her pref
ty blue dress floating around her like
an azure cloud.
Only eighteen, and very fair and
lovely was our little Rosa-a trife
spoiled and willful, perhaps, but what
else could anyone expect? Every one
petted and made much of her, and
Clarence Hyde thought her the fairest
specimen of feminine humanity that
ever the sun shone on.
Lizzie Eldon made room for her
sister
Lizzie was just one year younger,
and scarcely less fair; yet very differ
ent in character.
"How nice it must be to be en-
gagged" !" said Lizzie, with a half en-
couraging smile, as Rosa paused at
the glass to adjust her hair. 81 wish
I were engaged"
"You? Oh, you are nothing but a
child" patronizingly. There, give
me my pocket handkerchief" "
And away she went, 1.-the and light
as a blue-winged butterfly,
Clarence Hyde was in the parlor
anxiously awaiting her coming, but
he had rather disturbed face. He
was well-made, handsome young
fellow, with laughing, wide-browed
eyes, straight features and brown hair
thrown back from broad, frank brow.
"Why, what makes you look so So
Der ?"'was Rosa's first arch question,
when the ceremonials of greeting were
gone through with, and she had time
to take a good look at his face.
Sober? Do II"
Exactly as if you had toothache
or bad conscience"
Clarence laughed in spite OF himself.
"You are wrong, then, my little rid
dle-guesaer; l am afflicted with Meth
ell one nor the other. "
"Well, what is it, then p
Rosa, what would you say il it
were to become necessary to defer our
marriage for some time?"
A shadow came over the infantine
bloom and freshness of Rosa's face.
ITO defer our marriage, Clarence
I can't imagine what you mean"
Listen, Rosa, and l will tell you.
My uncle has just come from Califor-
MA. very poor and confirmed inva-
lid. l am his only surviving relative,
and to me he naturally appeals for
protection and companionship. l
must give him bone, Rosa
She was silent for a moment, then
she answered in voice that seemed
to chill Clarences buoyant young
heart.
Neither. You must either give
up your uncle or me. After all that
has been said and known Of our en-
gagement, after its publicity and
length, 1 certainly cannot consent to
its further postponement. Apd we
shall be poor enough If we marry i'm
mediately, without filling our house
with host Of needy relatives. "
Clarence Hyde took his leave, de-
iected enough.
Cuthbert Hyde sat smoking his
meerschaum by the open window as
Clarence entered-a spare, shrewd-
looking little old man, with deep
scanned wrinkles on his brow, and rest
less, sparkling eyes cleaning Ike Goals
beneath his shaggy brows.
Clarence, my boy, something has
gone wrong, he said bruskly, after he
had regarded his nephew in silence
for awhile. Tell the old uncle what
it is"
u have told you about Rosa Eldon
sir. Well, she and I are-in fact, il
is all over between usl"
Engagement broken, eh? Past
the power of patching up?'
"Yes, uncle" "
"And it was on my account? Nay
boy, don't turn away. l can read the
truth in your eyes. So she's played
you false ?"
1--WE are parted, uncle; is not thai
enough ?"
"Well, perhaps so. perhaps SO. II
is well you found her out in time
Clarence. It's for the best, my boy.
Clarence Hyde was passing dOwr
the rillana straet a few davs snhse