The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-02-28
"VANESSA"
The Story of Slight Misun-
Outstanding.


Henry James Dwight to his friend, lei
surely lighting cigar as he spoke.
"No. have not been for week or two.
Last time was down took an old lady
there"
IAN old lady! Well. I've given over
troubling myself about them now. What
| am anxious about at present is that
Camberwell beauty"
Rose Craven. the girl who was listening
TO this conversation from the other side of
the clipped ycw hedge. waited eagerly for
the next remark She had not realized,
being woman. that there was anything
dishonorable in listening to the conclusion
of conversation. the commencement of
which she had accidentally overheard.
She was especially anxious as to what
she was to hear next, because she knew
herself to be the girl from Camberwell-
she had just quilted a school thereto
whom her cousin and iance, Dwight. had
referred Certainly the allusion was fiat
tering, and yet Rose Craven did not like
the tiippant tone in which it was spoken.
Beautiful creature that" said Hard
castle enthusiastically, in response to his
friends remark what lovely color."
"Yes: altogether charming thing.
And worth quite lot of money too"
81 understand so. Takes some catch
ing, though"
That's the dificulty-to make the
CATCH" said Harry Dwight. 81 have
been trying for several months"
"Only one" murmured poor Rose to
herself. She remembered, only too well,
how long it was since her handsome cous-
in had come to stay at their farm.
lengthy stay at Wadsworth Hall farm
was due TO the examinations for which he
was preparing there in quiet. Hardcastle
was an acquaintance he had made in the
neighborhood.
Rose Craven had indeed a lovely color
as she turned away, and with cheeks
blushing with anger walked slowly into
the house. So this was how Harry talked
Of her-what Harry thought of her really.
There was not a word of that beautiful
sentiment he had spoken to her-not a
word Of love at all. She was a difficult
catch, she was worth a lot of money,
those were the things be said about her.
She resolved to control herself and have
no more to do with the man. Indeed,
within an hour she had resolved to break
off her engagement at once, and she
hoped that her cousin would Immediately
quit the Hall farm if she did so.
Dwight was considerably astonished
when he went in to tea at the change
which had taken place in the behavior Of
Rose toward him. She sat silent and re-
served throughout the meal, over which
her aunt presided, and allowed Hardcas-
tie and her uncle, usually the most silent
members Of the party, to sustain the con-
versation. At the close of the meal she
requested Dwight to grant her the favor
of few minutes conversation, and to-
gether they walked down to the summer
house at the bottom of the garden.
Have | done something amiss, Rose?"
said Dwight lightly as they entered.
81 can enter i1o no explanations with
you, Mr., Dwight" replied Rose steadily.
81 must beg you to ask none from me.
have only to request that you will release
me from the engagement | entered into
with YOU"
Release you from our engagement"
stammered Harry Dwight. "What do
you mean, Rose? You cannot be in ear
nest"
Il am thoroughly in earnest"
"But whatever can your reasons be? l
am not conscious of having done any
thing to offend you"
II have my reasons, Mr.. Dwight. |
trust that you have enough Of the gentle
man about you to accede to my request
without demanding explanations.
But 1t is deuced hard on a fellow"
protested Harry, ito be sent to the right
about without a word Of explanation"
Nevertheless, beg you to accept the
situation"
"Of course" said Dwight brokenly, 'if
you give me no alternative, | must ac-
cede 10 your request for a release. But
cannot help thinking that there is some
misunderstanding. II you know how
love you, Rose
Mr. Dwight, neither know nor desire
to know what your feelings may be-"
This answer naturally awakened some
resentment in the mind Of the young man.
He attempted to expostulate, but Rose
cut him short.
Nothing is to be gained by discussing
the matter further, Mr.. Dwight" she
said.
And realizing that such was the case,
Harry quietly raised his hat and slowly
and despondently returned TO the house.
The following morning he announced that
he was about to leave the farm and that
be would return TO the city upon the fol-
lowing day.
1t was still. calm, altogether lovely
evening on which Dwight set off for what
he expected would be his last walk
through Wadsworfb wood-for some time
at ahy rate. As usual, upon his solitary
rambes, re carried the green net which
marks the entomologist. for Harry was
enthusiastic in hi. ,ursuit of that study.
On that particular evening. however, il
was questionable il the rarest moth that
ever took wing would have succeeded in
attracting his attention, for he was in a
state of utter, abject and absorbed de
spondency.
Perhaps it was something OF coinci-
dence that Rose, whose anger had evap-
GRATED and who was in state of wretch
edness as complete as Harry's own,
should also be attracted out of doors by
the cool of the evening and should also
select Wadsworth wood as her destina-
ton. However that may be. the lovers
met, in place where they had often met
before, just within the shade of the trees.
On seing Dwight. Roses first impulse
kaa 10 return IN The direction from which
sne had just come. She had retraced ser
eteps I few yards, without stesking l,
word TO ths young man, when she heard
his steps behind her, and in another mo-
mept an arm clipped around her waist.
Harry Dwight had resolved to use to the
utmost his influence in order to obtain an
explanation from her.
"Mr. Dwight" cried Rose Indignantly.