The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-11-06
Rose Trelawny
By vIRNA SHEARD.


Belton's south drawing-room and
hooked out into the garden.
She had come down from London
Ghe day before to make one of a house
party; "a useful one she said to her
self somewhat bitterly. People must
DE amused, and nobody was more
tzeenly alive to that fact than Lady
Bolton. SC 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.
Enough 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..
Il would make such heavenly break
IL her busy days, and be so gladstone
q change from hotel life and constant
-ehearsals.
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 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 a little
Nsontented sigh, that l would pack
gip 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 a
&indly chance that is so ready to be-
friend people who are of the same
zEind.
Outdoors the sunshine swept the
green earth with gold, and the scent
g1f many roses was carried in on tiny
breeze that stirred the lace curtains.
was a day made for all delight. a
clay wherein all must surely be well
with the world.
at is nearly five o'clock. she
fbought, 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
"a & any moment and find her 1t would
Zoe a surprise for him, as he did not
know she was on Lady Belton's list
Wei it would not do to give him too
glad a welcome-one should not let
all ones heart be seen.
a big bowl of marguerites stood on
"A table by the window, and the girl
dzrew few of them from the rcst.
II shall try the charm" she said
softly, beginning to pull off the silver
white leaves.
He loves me-a ittle-passionate
Sy-not at all. He loves me-a title
-passionately-not at all. He loves
1pe--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. Il will find one that does. l
-~ould thousand times rather you
said Not at all than "a little"
Then she pulled the leaves slowly
from fourth and it gave the desired
message. He loves me" said the last
leaf.
1t was a woman's way of making
the oracle speak, but it brought GER
tain content to her, and she pressed
abe little torn flower to her lips as one
of the doors of the room opened and
girl entered.
She stood a moment irresolutely,
aDdthen went towards Miss Txelawny.
The black dress she wore intensified
sthe gold of her hair and the white
beauty Of her face. which was of type
that does not depend upon color; if
1T lad. many recent tears would have
washed it away. to judge by the sad
3roop CT the mouth and the melan-
choly shadows beneath the eyes.
4'You are siss Trelawny. l believe
she said timidly to the woman by the
window.
The great singer turned and looked
nj the pretty figure with a smile
'Ah," she said, 81 did not hear
Szny one enter. Yes, 1 am Rose Ire
Eawny-and you?"
81 am Marguerite Burnham,-the
Children's governess. II have come
10 ask you something 1t may seem
very rude-but this is the only way
of knowing. and l cannot rest till |
9iad out''-her voice broke, and then
Sgent on passionately-'till l find out
III 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
YOU? / do not remember having seen
sou before"