Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-04-25

Grove. "Oh, Rosa, Rosa. how can
give you up!''
With the coming Of morn Mr.. Della.
field grew calm, for he had resolved up.
on an interview with Rosa Lee, who, n
It were not too late, should know how
much he loved her, and perhaps--his
heart thrilled with Joy as he thought Il
perhaps she might yet be won from
that fancy Of her childhood. but first
he would, II possible, learn from his
sister how far matters had progressed.
She was seated at her work In her
own room when he entered, and with a
feeling Of alarm at his pale, haggard
face, she started up, asking II he were
III. Motionipg her aside, he said. alb
ruptly. ITS no use, Angeline, to deceive
you longer. I love Rosa Lee, and II II
were not for this accursed doctor,
should tell her 80 at once. DO you know
aught Of his attentions? HAS he come
t" sea her for his wifc2"
Mrs. Lansing had now a double part to
perform. The falsehood she had told to
Rosa made II necessary that she should
tell another to her brother, which The
DID more readily, for her proud nature
revolted at the thought of receiving her
governess ms her sister.in-law. 80, think
ing any means excusable which would
prevent so disgraceful a catastrophe. she
answered with wcll-feigned surprise. II
am astonished at you, brother-astOnish-
ed that Delafield should stoop 80 low
as to think Of wedding a girl like Rosa
Lee. You cannot, / think, be In earnest; ;
put II you are, am rejoiced that have
IT In my power to tell you there 10 no
hope. l have just left Miss Lee, who
has made me her conaiant, asking II I
thought II would be contrary to all rules
OF propriety for her to marry DR.. Clay
ton 80 soon after the death Of his wife.
1t seems he has always preferred her,
and could you have heard her tell how
much she loved him. am sure you would
have no hope Of winning her, even were
she your equal"
Not again that day was Cedar Grove
gladdened by his presence, and when
next morning he came as was his wont,
l was the betrothed Of DR.. Clayton, who,
with Joy beamlng In every look, sat by
my side, talking to me Of the pleasure
We should experience In our projected
European tour, for We were to visit the
old world, and he wished our marriage to
be contaminated at once, 80 we could sail
the last II June. In a measure l had
dealt candidly with him, frankly &C.
knOwledging that the love had felt for
him In childhood was gone, but saying,
az was true, that respected hini--yes,
liked him, and II he was satisfied with
that, I would be unto him q faithful
wife, hoping that the affection Of former
years might ere long awake again In my
heart.
lnvoluntariiy I shrank from him. for
I knew was undeserving Of such devo.
ton, and my conscience smote me for
Withholding from him the knowledge Of
my love for Richard Delafield. But that
was a secret could not reveal. 30 I
kept II to myself. and with a kind Of
apathetic Indifference listened while he
depicted In glowing colors the joyous
future which he saw before him when
Ing to New Orleans on business, which
would detain him for three or four weeks,
and ON his return ne asked that the ccre-
mony might he performed, and 70
with him to Sunny Bank as his bride.
mo. not 30 soon," I exclaimed. "I.eave
me my freedom little longer;" but lie
only smiled az he waived aside every
objection and won from me q promise
that II Mrs. Lansing were willing. We
would be married there as soon as he
should return.
Either by design or accident. Mrs. Ian
sing at that moment entered the room.
She playfully remarked upon the happy
expression Of his face, saying she should
judge his suit was progressing. and add
Ing that he had her good wishes for hi,
success. Embroidered by her familiarity
DIR. Clayton at once preferred to her biz
wish that We might be made one under
the shadow Of her roof; we would make
no trouble, he said. as we wished for nc
display, simply quiet ceremony al
which no one should be present save her.
self, her children and her brother.
At the mention Of him I started Ms II
smitten by heavy blow, and I used all
the arguments Of which was mistress
to induce DR.. Clayton to defer our mar.
riage until we reached Sunny Bank. But
to this neither he nor Mrs. Lansing
would listen. Glad that ! was thus out
Of her way, the latter seemed unusually
kind, Offering to give me bridal party
rs Testimony Of her respect" Thus
was I silenced, while they arranged the
matter az they pleased, II being finally
decided that the wedding was to take
place Immediately after the doctors re.
turn, a. he had first proposed.
1t was quite natural that ] should
In the morning meet DR.. Clayton with
more cordially of manner than I had
yet evinced toward him. Quickly per.
ceiving the change, he said, a. he klssed
my brow. my Rosa 10 learning to love
me, ] see."
And for brief moment I, too, fancied
that he was right-that I should love
him-nay, that was beginning to love
him, when suddenly In the doorway M.
peared the form Of one. the very sight OF
whom curdled my blood for an instant
and sent It bounding through my veins.
1t was Mr.. DelaAeld. He had nerved
himself to sec me. to stand face to face
with his rival, and bravely did he meet
the trial. bowling c0urteously to DR.. Clay.
ton and smiling kindly down upon me-.
glanced at him once and saw that his
eyes were riveted upon the plain band
of gold which encircled my fourth finger,
confirming the truth Of what he had just
heard from his sister. At last, as IL he
would test his strength to the utmost, he
placed my hand In that of DIR. Clayton
and said: AS brother commits n dear
sister to the care of another, SO commit
l to your care my Northern Rose, charg-
Ing you to watch tenderly over her, for
tits not every one who winneth such u
treasure"
This was all he said; the next mo-