Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-01-10
Christmas Rose: A Mystery.
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nc statiois, ana especially at the great
London terminus, he had watched for
some sign that she recognized the place,
though he had been careful she should
not detect this. No sign came. The
crowded streets through which they
drove, the Christmas decoration in the
shop windows, had aroused her almost
childish pleasure. All her forebodings
seemed to have fled. She had been de-
lighted with the sight of the river from
their windows, and with the great hotel
itself, and the rooms he had chosen.
Strange TO say, it was Dare, now, who
was oppressed by lurking uneasiness,
land the reason was almost absurdly
slight
As he and Rosamond had entered the
lvestlbule on their arrival, he had OBJ
served a man, dressed in the extreme of
fashion, and groomed with scrupulous
care; a man of so or more, and with a
certain foreign air about him, whose eyes
had been riveted on Rosamond "ImDer-
tinent," was Dare's indignant mental
comment The girl herself did not once
glance in the mans direction, and was
quite unconscious of his gaze.
Had it meant mere admiration of a
beautiful girl who looked what she was
"A young bridef Or, had it meant rec
ognition?"
So impressive was the face, when Dare
first saw it, that it was impossible TO
guess. He would not for the world have
spoken of the matter to Rosamond; and.
after all, what had he to dread from rec
ignition? She was his wife-his own.
1T is no dream, but a sweet reality"
re said. Nothing can part us nOw-mY
Christmas flower, my rose of the world,
my wife!"
There was tap at the door, and
Rosamond's maid entered. "A gentleman
desires to see you, sir" she said; and
gave Dare a card
"The Marquis de rEsparre"
He read the name aloud
II do not know him, Rosamond. This
must be some mistake
Rosamond, like hirl, had risen. She
leaned one hand upon chair back, as if
she needed support, and laid the other
against her fast-beating heart.
THE Marquis de PEsparre!" she muir
INJURED; and into her sapphire blue eyes
look that smote Dare with vague
alarm, dawned slowly.
"The Marquis de PEsparre! Dare,
have heard that name sometime-some
where!"
The waiting maid retired, at a glance
from him. He made Rosamond sit down,
and knelt before her, holding her little
hands, and looking up into her face.
He is an old acquaintance, perhaps,
my dearest. 1t may be he can release
you from all your vague fears"
"Oh, Dare, take me away-hide me
from everyone, / want only you!"
"Rosamond my own wife-have you
forgotten that we knelt at Gods altar to-
gether, but few hours ago, and vowed
to be true to each other till death shall
part us? Nothing else can divide us
now! will see this gentleman, and
learn, perhaps, the secret that has tor
mented you so long"
"The Marquis de PEsparreY" murmured
Rosamopd again. 81 cannot remember!
All, Dare" she pleaded wildly, whatever
he tells you, you win love me still?"
Nothing he could tell me could change
my love-" he answered with emotion.
go to your own room, and | will send
for him here"
NO, I'll stay" said Rosamond, with
sudden calm.
Have you strength" he asked doubt
ingly, yet convinced her resolve was
right.
"Yes," she answered briefly; but when
the servant was gone with the message,
she turned to him, holding out her arms.
All her giriish shyness had vanished.
Never till that moment had he realized
the depths of her love.
Courage. dear heart!" he murmured,
though a dread presentiment of coming
evil was upon him. She sat motioness
when he released her from that passion
ate embrace, her eyes fixed upon the door
by which their visitor must enter.
1t opened. A man of some so years,
with hair and mustache of iron gray, but
eyes dark and piercing, advanced into the
room. He was. as Dare had anticipated,
the stranger who had regarded Rosamond
with such attention in the hotel vesti-
bule.
Rosamond rose and confronted him like
a marble image of despair.
He bowed with a mock respect that
reused Dare's blood to anger.
81 see" he said, with cutting irony,
"vou do me the honor 10 recollect me,
madame"
Heaven help me-yes!" she said. She
put her hands to her head, swayed. and
NOui1 lldNt ldlitil ~ tlIc llpOIt Dub IOT
Dare's outstretched arms. She did not
lose consciousness, but sat down, trem-
thng from head to foot, death pale, cling
ing to his arm, like one in mortal agony
"Rosamond Rosamond! What is this
man to you?" cried Dare in anguished
tones.
Her pale lips moved, but no sound
came.
Il amber husband"
The words fell on Dare's ears like
sentence of doom. All his forebodings,
all his dread, had never taken such shape
as this. His Rosamond, who had seemed
t. him so childlike, that at first he had
shrank from telling her his love! The
innocent. girlish bride he had won with
such reverent tenderness for her youth
ana purity A wife already! Oh!-in-
credible misery.
"No!-oh, heaven, no! 1t cannot be-"
he uttered at last. "Oh, my love, my
wifel-look up at me, and tell me it il
not true!"
"She cannot" said De PEsparre stern
ly. "She knows we'll that am her hus-
1