Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-05-16
Sunny Bank Farm

FLOYD LIVINGSTON

About the middle of October. Charlie,
whose coming I had long expected, or
rived, bringing to me the sad news that
death had again entered our household,
that by my fathers and JAMES grave
was another mound, and at home another
vacant chair, that Of my aged grandmoth-
er. whose illness, he said. had prevent
ed him from coming to me sooner. add
Ing further that they had purposely Lept
her sickness from me, fearing the effect
1t might have. OF DIR. Clayton he could
tell me but little. He had not visited
Sunny Bank at all: but Immediately after
his return to Boston he had written to
them, SAYING I was out of danger, and
Charlie must go for me as soon as the
intense heat Of summer was over. This
was all they knew, though with woman's
ready tact, both my mother and my sis-
tiers conjectured that something was
wrong. and Charles first question after
telling me what he did, was to inquire
me and the doctor. and IL 1t were my
illness alone which had deferred the
marriage.
Don't ask me now" I replied. mot
until we are far from here, and then I
will tell you all."
This silenced Charlie. and once when
Mr.. Delafeld questioned him concerning
DR.. Clayton. and why he, too. did not
come for me, he replied evasively, but In
a manner calculated still further to mis-
lead Mr.. Delaaeld. who had no suspicion
Of the truth, though he fancied there
was something wrong. One day Charlie,
with his usual abruptness, said to me,
Rosa. why didn't you fall In love with
Mr.. Delafeldf should much rather
have him than widower2"
The hot blood rushed to my cheeks AZ
I replied quickly, HE IL engaged to Miss
Montrose. They were to have been mar
ried this fall, Mrs. Lansing said. but
the marriage II. l presume. deferred on
account Of their recent affection. At
least. l hear nothing said Of It."
IF I am any Judge Of human nature
returned Charlie, mfr. Delafeld cares
far more for you than for Miss Mon.
trose, even II they are engaged. But
then you are poor, while she IL rich, and
that, suppose, makes the difference"
knew Mr.. DelaReld too we'll to Gus.
pect him Of mercenary motives In marry.
Ing Ada. and 30 I said, "He loved her,
Of course, and II was natural that he
should, for though she had some faults,
he probably saw In her enough good to
overbalance the bad"
At last the morning dawned on which
I was to say goOd-by to the scenes
loved 40 well. I was. to leave the "sun.
ny South" with Its dark evergreens. Its
Towering vines, Its balmy air. I was to
leave him. who, ere the next autumn
leaves were falling. would take to his
beautiful home bride. Then I thought
Of little Jessie's grave, which I had not
seen, and on which my tears would never
fall. and taking from It's hiding place the
tress Of shining hair. wept over that
my last adieu. 1t was later than usual
when Mr.. Dclafield appeared. and NJ he
came In ! saw that he was very pale.
"Are you sick" I asked, rs he wiped
the Precipitation from his face.
mo. no." he hurriedly answered; at
the same time crossing over to side tn.
BILE. he poured out and drank two large
goblets Of Ice water.
Then rcsuming his former sent near
me, he took my hand. and looking me
earnestly In the face. said: Rosa, shall
ever nee you here again 7"
Before I could answer, Ada chimcd
In. "Of course we shall. DO coax the
doctor. to bring you here some time. md
let us see how you bear the honors Of
being madame!"
Instantly the earnest look passed away
from Mr.. DelaRek's face, and was sue
ceeded by scOwl, which remained until
the carriage which was to take me to the
depot was announced. Then tho whole
expression Of his countenance changed,
and for brief instant my heart thrilled
with JOY. for could not mistake tho deep
meaning Of his looks M he bent over me
and whispered his farewell.
God bless you. Rosa" he said. "My
Rosa. once hoped to call you. But Il
cannot DO. FAREWELL!
There was one burning kiss upon my
lips. and the next moment he was gone.
"Are you going to the depot?" asked
his sister. az he was leaving the room.
mo. no. no." hs replied; and then a.
Charlie again babe me come. I rose he.
wildered to my feet. hardly realizing
when Mrs. Lansing, Ada and Lima babe
me adieu.
Halbert went with me In the earriage,
and together with Charlie looked won.
deringly at me, % ] unconsci0usly re-.
peated In a whisper. MY Rosa. l once
hoped to call you. II 10 Ada who stands
In tho way" said to myself. and cover.
Ing MY face with my veil. I went % I
thought o. all I had lost when Richard
DelaReld offered his heart to another. lie
did 1--we me. was sure of that, but
what did It avail me. He was too hon.
Orable to break his engagement with
Ada, no hencefOrth I must walk alone,
bearing the burden Of an aching heart.
In the meantime. a far different scene
was being enacted In the apartment I
had just vacated. Scarcely had tho wins
tie OF the engine died away In the dis.
tance. when troop Of blacks, armed
with boiling suds and scrubbing brushes,
entered my chamber for the purpose of
cleaning 1t. They had carried from Il
nearly every article Of furniture, and
nothing remained save the mating and
the bureau. the latter Of which they were
about to remove when they were surpris-
ed at the unexpected appearance Of Mr..
Delatield, who could not resist the strong
desire which he felt to stand once more
In the room where Rosa had spent SO
many weary weeks. For a moment the
blacks suspended their employment, and
then Linda, who seemed to be leading,
took hold Of the bureau, giving one end
of 1t shove toward the center Ut the
room. The movement dislodged tho long
lost letter, which, covered with dirt and
cobwebs, fell upon the floor at her feet.
She was the same woman who, weeks
before, had carelessly knocked off the
letter, which she now picked up and
handed to Mr.. Delaiield. saying, as she
.,..I x.ft IL