River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-10-30
Rose TrelaWny |
By vIRNA SHEARD.

ID OSE TRELAWNY-at least, that
was the name she sang under
stood by the French window in Lady
Belton's south drawing-room and
looked out into the garden.
She had come down from London
the day before to make one Of house
party; "a useful one" she said to her
self somewhat bitterly. People must
be amused, and nobody was more
keenly alive to that fact than Lady
Bolton, so amongst her guests there
were always a few who could do
things When they had finished their
little song and dance they might re-
turn whence they came, so far as their
amiable hostess was concerned,
though she was always very charming
to them, and when it required no eff
fort made their stay pleasant.
Miss Trelawny quite realized why
she had received the delightfully."- cor
dial invitation to Bolton Park, but it
was not in human nature to refuse it.
1t would make such heavenly break
in her busy days, and be so gladstone
a change from hotel life and constant
rehearsals.
Moreover, she knew Jack Merritt
was coming down, and that decided
matters.
Jack Merritt was not one of those
who personally did things for the en-
tertainment of his fellow beings
that is, not willingly. When a per-
son is as rich as Jack Merritt they are
saved such necessity.
The girl was thinking about him
now. 1T was becoming a habit with
her, she acknowledged to herself The
careless happy laugh Of him rang
constantly in her heart; his handsome
face with the deep blue eyes that could
say so much more than mere words
express, was ever before her. He has
grown so dear" she said with little
contented sigh, that l would pack
up my pride fifty times over for the
sake Of being here and seeing him
every day for one whole week" And
yet how much they had seen of each
other lately, and how often met by
kindly chance that is so ready to be-
friend people who are of the same
mind.
Outdoors the sunshine swept the
green earth with gold, and the scent
of many roses was carried in on tiny
breeze that stirred the lace curtains.
1t was a day made for all delight, a
day whereon all must surely be well
with the world.
"It is nearly five o'clock, she
thought, and that was the hour Mr..
Merritt was expected; perhaps he
was even now driving up from the
small dusty station and would come in
at any moment and find her. 1t would
be a surprise for him, as he did not
know she was on Lady Belton's list.
Well it would not do to give him too
glad a welcome-one should rot let
all ones heart be seen.
A big bowl of marguerites stood on
table by the window and the girl
drew few of them from the rest.
II shall try the charm" she said
softly, beginning to pull off the silver
white leaves.
''He loves me-a little-passionate
ly-not at all. He loves me-a ! little
-passionately- at all. He loves
me-a little
She threw down the broken flower
and took another, but three times it
ended so!
"You do not tell the TRUTH she
cried, brushing the curled petals away
and turning to the bowl full of bios
SONS 81 will find one that does. l
would thousand times rather you
said Not at ALL than "a little"
Then she pulled the leaves slowly
from a fourth and it gave the desired
message. He loves me- said the last
leaf.
1t was woman's way of making
the oracle speak, but it brought a GER
tain content to her, and she pressed
the little torn flower to her lips as one
of the doors of the room opened and
girl entered.
She stood moment irresolutely,
andthen went towards Miss Trelawny.
The black dress she wore intensified
the gold of her hair and the white
beauty of her face, which was of type
that does not depend upon color; if
it had, many recent tears would have
washed it away, to judge by the sad
droop of the mouth and the melan-
choly shadows beneath the eyes.
You are Miss Treiawny, | believe"
she said timidly to the woman by the
window.
The great singer turned and looked
at the pretty figure with smile
"Ah," she said, Il did not hear
any one enter. Yes, l am Rose Ire
lawny-and you?"
Il am Marguerite Burnham,-the
children's governess. II have come
to ask you something. 1t may seem
very rude-but this is the only way
of knowing, and 1 cannot rest till [
find out'-her voice broke, and then
went on passionately-"til find out
if what they say is true"
IF what they say is true!" said the
other, in an amused tone. why l
fancy they say many things of one
who has to work in the way do, and
some of them are unpleasant, and
most are quite untrue-but what have
they been saying that could touch