Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-09-04

tue SIetu ulSduOWS VI fduSCOW court
as Rosemary walked slowly down the
avenue to meet the postrlan. He gave
her one leter-a thin, foreign letter,
with a blurred-loolling postmark. Had
1t come at last? With trembling fin
gers she tore it open. There lay, dry
and discolored, sprig Of rosemary. A
mute reproach.
Dear Miss Maitland" the letter
ran-"My dear old chum Jim Duncan
asks me to write these few lines, which
he cannot write himself. His hours
are numbered, and, stricken with fever,
he has not long % live He begs to
enclose the sprig Of rosemary, and to
remind you-though without reproach
that it was given for remembrance.
He has never forgotten you. I am,
yours sincerely, Rupert Moore"
A little gasping sob escaped her lips.
He was i,l-dying-dead!
What did he mean by reminding her
of the rosemary for remembrance?
He had not remembered-and now?
With vacant, aching eyes she looked
again at the little withered spring and
tOOh ner way nOHeWard.
In the hall Mrs. Maitland met her,
and in horror at the sight of the white,
agonized face, she exclaimed:
Rosemary! What is it?"
The girl held out the letter with
shaking fingers.
Don't speak to mel" she said.
hoarsely 81 can't bear it yet. Moth
er"-with wild cry-"mother, my
heart is broken"
1t was a year later.
Time, the great healer. had laid a
gentle hand on Rosemary's wild sor-
row, hushing it to rest, soothing the
dull agony. Still. there lay in little
drawer of her bureau that envelop,
with its sprig Of faded rosemary, and
the faint odor never failed to bring
back the old, sad memories
Sir Jasper Carew was very tender
in his honest devotion. One day he
told her of his love; very gently, very
tenderly, all the devotion, silent and
strong, Of years growth he laid at her
feet.
81 have always loved you, dear" he
said "Is there no hope for me at all?"
Rosemary looked away into the sun
shiny garden regretfully.
Listen to me first before | answer
your question" she said, softly: 81
know can trust you, and should like
to tell you all. There was-some one
else-and he went away. never heard
anything of him till last year, when
one day. heard from friend of
his-that he was dying-dead. |
thought he had forgotten me-but-he
had not. loved him-and l can never
love in the same way again. But"
She paused. and Jasper took her
hands in his.
Rosemary" he said, and his voice
trembled, Rosemary, can be content
with a very little love, if you will only
let me take care OF you. VIII you be
my wife,"
Rosemary looked at him stea lily.
IF you can be content" she said
softly, 81 will do my best to make you
happy"
1t was a strange, an almost pathetic,
wooing, but Jasjer Carew felt amply
rewarded for his years Of faithful de-
votion and patient waiting.
1t was September when they were
all at Padstow Court again. The we'd
ding was to take place in December,
and Mrs. Maitland, quite in her ele-
ment, was very busy arranging all
those hundred and one details which
must attend the marriage of an only
daughter.
Jasper felt that his cup of happiness
was full to the brim as he and Rose
mary sauntered slowly homeward one
glorious evening.
Passing along a green lane they
heard footsteps behind them, and
voice at their side said, courteously:
Gould you kindly tell me the near
est way to PaIstow Court?"
They turned and faced the speaker.
At the sight of him Rosemary stag
gered back. pale to the very lips,
while he started forward with cry:
Rosemary"
"Jim!"
With all the deadly rapidity Of
flash of lightning Jasper Carew real
lied what had happened, and he saw at
once that all his dreams of future hap
piness were at an end. He turned
away for a moment, for at first the
sight of his (alas! his no longer) Rose
mary lying sobbing in Jims arms was
too much for him to witness, till at
last Rosemary remembered all, and she
turned pleadingly to Jasper.
Jasper" she pleaded, Jasper, for
give me-forSive mel"
Dear" he said hoarsely, 81 see it
all. And pOw"-he turned to Jim and
held out his hand-''welcome home,
Duncan" he said. you see, know
who you are. Rosemary, you can do
one thing for me: make him happy"
God Dess you." said jim, as he
wrung his hand. 81 can never repay
you for this act of more than generos-
ity"
Take her in." said Jasper. abruptly,
81, o+ ssNtrn eho1l