Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-03-23

own. Now, listen. You know 10 wants
to marry Emily, everybody knows it,
and we are all willing that he should
| Lut he is SO bashful that he don't dare
ask her. Now, if you help him out he
will be fonder of you than ever"
Il think she would say yes if he ask
ed her, don't you, Daisy"
"Of course do; but she can't If he
don't, and she would be pleased, too,
SO you sec nobody would mind, don't
you?"
Are you sure, Daisy?'
Yes, dear, quite sure. And then
think what fun it would be to have a
wedding in the family. J would be
bridesmaid and you and JOS little
cousin Nellie would be flower girls You
would have a beautiful new white
dress, and big hat all flowers anc
chiffon; oh, it would be grand. You
know | wouldn't ask you to do any.
thing wrong. Then you shall have the
beads, as soon as you ask him, and ii
mother and Emily are angry | will
take all the blame. But they won't be
Everybody will be glad"
During the next day or two Rosie's
wise little head did a great deal OF
thinking. The more she pondered the
right. 10 must love Emily or he Won
not come to see her so often. He never
went to see any other girl. People
certainly expected them to get mar.
ried. Had not old Mrs. Brown, who
was always trying to find out every.
thing endeavored to pump her, Rosy
again and again, and called her a sly
little puss, because she told her moth.
ing. Then she did so want the beads
Not even Carrie Wells, that all the
girls at school made so much fuss over,
were as pretty as they. So she ques-
toned Daisy once more, and Daisy re-
iterated her assurances, saying:
"'l'he next time 10 and Emily are by
themselves, and 10 calls you his little
sweetheart, all you have to do is to
tell him that you had rather be his lit
tie sister, and ask him If he isn't going
to marry Emily; he will be your
brother if he does. you know. How
can he mind that?" And Rosie agreed
that he couldn't.
Fortune favored her. The next Sun
day was bright September day and
Joe and Emily had the parlor to them
selves. Daisy had discreetly gone for
a walk, and the rest of the family were
sitting out on the porch. Rosie went
to the door of the parlor and peeped
in. They sat, Emily and 10, one on
one side of the table, one on the other,
as they had SO often, talking quietly
as usual.
Come here, Rosie" called 10.
Rosie went in and took her stand be-
side his knee. He drew her to him
and stroked her curls. You're my lit
tie sweetheart, aren't you?" he asked
Rosie shook her curly head ia
rather be your little sister I'd like
that. You are going to marry Emily,
aren't YOU"
Emily turned crimson. but 10 laugh
ed, delighted. Il am, indeed, if she'll
have me-"
"Oh, she WILL won't you Emily"
and the little matchmaker fled.
Having taken the plunge, with
Rosie'S aid, JOS bashfulness vanished.
and when Mr.. and Mrs Mason came in
a little later they found Emily and her
accepted lover waiting to receive their
consent and blessing.
Rosie wore the blue beads to school
on Monday. There was but one draw
back to her happiness; everyone made
so much of her, and her honest little
soul shrank from accepting the credit
which belonged rightly to another
please let me tell them the truth
about it," she begged of Daisy, but
Daisy said No"