Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-06-11
ctIAprER VII.

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Thompson who now tried to restrain her
son, so that after the party hostilities in
that quarter nearly ceased. But the
ball was in motion aud could not well
be stopped: for what the Thompsons now
lacked the rest of the district made up.
1t was the general impression, | believe,
that the scholars had learned nothing
save few pieces Of poetry, and that |
had done nothiIg but whip, scold and cry,
To all tAeye accusations ! plead guilty;
and when Mr. Randall one day proposed
TO me to bring my labors to close,
replied that nothing could please me
better" though there was a tremor IN my
voice us | thought how the people OF
Sunny Bank would laugh. Mr.. Randall
probably OWNED my thoughts, for he
quickly rejoined "The weather Is gettin
80 hot that the youngsters need vaca-
tim. Mebby, in the fall, when 1t is cool
er, we shall have you back.
And SO it was settled that school
should close the next week on Sntur-
day. When the time came around DIR.
Clayton came to say good-by, and when
be left me he placed on my hand at part
ing a little gold ring, OH which was in
scrbed simply, Rosa"
1T was the gift Of friendship he
said, nothing more;' and he wished me
to wear it "for the sake Of the few
pleasant hours we had spent together"
| suppose it was wrong in me to ac-
cept it. / thought so then, but could
not refuse 1t; and remembering the fate
of the one sent by Herbert Langley to
Anna, resolved upon keeping 1t secret
and wearing it when | was alone. For a
long time | sat in the deserted school
room, while the damp air came through
the open window; nor was | reminded of
the lapse of time until 1t began to grow
dark around me; then hastily throwing
on my things, | started for Mr.. Ran
dalps. wetting my feet, for had no
rubbers with me. AS the result of this,
when | awoke next morning | was CON
scious of pain In my head, a soreness
In my throat, and an aching OF my back,
quite unexpected as II was disagreeable.
had taken violent cold At night,
when my father came for me, | was al
most too weak to stand alone; but the
excitement of riding impaired to me nm
artificial strength, which wholly desert
cd me the moment | reached home, and
for many days l kept my bed. attended
by DR.. Clayton, who accidentally heard
Of my illness. and who came daily to
soc me- Grandma asked him how he nc
counted for my rapid pulse and flushed
cheeks, and he very gravely replied that
possibly my heart might be affected
the symptom seemed much like it," add
Ing, as he saw the look of concern or
grandma's face. "but l think can cure
that, don't you. RosaY' turning to ME
and taking my hand to see how fast my
pulse did beat.
After this grandma made no further
objections to his visits. IF Rosa had
the heart disease, and he could cure it.
he ought TO do So"
But alas! for the heart disease which
feeds upon the smile of one who. when
sure that he holds 1t in his grasp, casts
1t from him, as children do a long-covet
ed toy of which they have grown weary
Alas, for thee, Rosa A few miles L
the southwark, and the same sun which
now shines softly on you, looks in through
richly curtained window, and it's gold
en- rays fall on the Queenly form OF YOU
rival, who, with look Of exultatior
ON her timely cast features, listens to Tn,
words she has long waited to hear, an(
which have now been spoken; while he
Of whom you dream. bends gently owe
her, his own-his betrothed! And still
IN the very moment of his triumph, Their,
comes up before him pale, childish
face, which, with lts dreamy eyes O
blue, looks reproachfully upon him. Blu
bride apd ambition weave together a vel
Nhch hides the image from his view
bidding him forget that any other say,
the peerless Dell e'er stirred the foun
tain Of his love.
Would it be well for us always t.
know what is passing In the minds of on
friends, whether present or absent
Could Rosa Lee have known what ha,
transpired she would not have darte
away so quickly as she did, when toll
that DR.. Clayton was coming through tn
gate one afternoon. Taking from it
hiding place the ring-his gift-she plat
ed 1t upon her finger, and with heighter
ed color went down to greet the doctor
who had come to make his farewell yisi
for four weeks from that night De
Thompson would be his wife. Long ha
he debated the propriety Of seeing Ros
again, conscience bidding him leave he
alone, while inclination clamored loudl
for one more quiet talk with her, Oh
more walk by moonlight, one more loo
into her childish face, and then he woul
leave her forever; never again sufferin
thought of her to come between hi
and the bride of his choice.
And for this purpose he had Gomez b,
when he saw how joyfully Rosa met hir
and how the bloom deepened on her us
ally pale cheeks, his heart misgave hir
and for the first time he began to re,
ize the wrong he had done her. But
was now too late to remedy il,
thought; and rs If bent upon making ms
tiers worse, he asked her to accompaI
him in a walk down the green lane, TO L
haunts he knew she loved the best. q
that walk! how long it fingered In Z
memory of Rosa, for never before hi
the doctors manner been so marked,
his words so kind as when together tn
sat upon the moss-grown bank, benea
the spreading vine, while he talked TO
of the past, of the happiness he had @
perienced in her society. and which
said would be one of the few green spo
to which, In the years 10 come. he shou
look back with pleasure Then drawi
her so closely 10 him that her head almC
r,stod upou his shoulder he askah