Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-20


now but such forgetfulness as m. ghs
be in absence.
Six months later-I had not been
home at all during the time-I re
ceived letter addressed m Rose
Dumaresque's handwriting. What
news might it contain? TIE formal
announcement of her engagement to
Edward? For that was news that !
almost daily expected to hear. No;
that blow was evidently in store for
me, for no such death warrant to wild
hopes that l still cherished dropped as
| opened the envelope. Merely card
of invitation to her birthday gathering
on Christmas eve.
| arrived unconsciously early, and
met her in the hall with her arms
Overlooking with Christmas roses. She
was in hurry, and breathless, ami
our greeting was wholly unpremedi-
tatcd.
Roses againt" said significantly,
as kept her hand in mine, and added
earnestly, Il wish you roses, roses all
the way"
My namesake flower" she said,
smiling. Hobbs has just sent them
up to the house in my honor"
She withdrew her hand hastily, and
escaped from me as Edward crossed
the hall. Early as ! had come, he
was evidently before me- / had not
seen him until then, and | fingered,
talking C. him. He looked worn and
anxious, l thought, but the people
were coming fast now, and | escaped
when l could and wandered into a
tiny room, which, from its general
appearance of picturesque disorder,
was evidently not intended 10 be
thrown open to the dancers. 1t was
filled with bowls of Christmas roses.
the roses she had held in her arms a
few hours ago. She had evidently ar
ranged them in haste and been called
away. for some lay scattered on the
table, ana 4 even raised one from the
floor with the intention of placing It
In one of the vases. But the bowl /
drew towards me held no water. and l
examined others with the same re-
suit. Well, it was a PITY Miss
Dumaresque's flowers would fade, and
had a mind to get some water my
self, but I fingered about the room
loath to so, for suspected it was her
own particular sanctum, and every
thing in the room interested me.
There was her work basket in a cor
ner, and a tiny Persian kitten on the
white hearth rug was playing with a
bit of paper; no, a letter recovered
1t, and was about to put II in a place
of safety when my own name caught
my eye 1t was my cousins name,
too. but | did not think of that until
had turned the letter over and seen
Rose Dumaresque's signature at the
end. | began to read, and in a mo-
ment | knew the letter was not for
me, but | read on deliberately until /
came to the end, and learnt that Miss
Dum8resque had refused my cousin
Edward for the second perhaps third,
time. had barely made myself ac,
quainted with this fact before | made
another discovery-the letter was six
weeks old. and gave me no possible
cIew as 10 what had happened in the
meantime,
The letter was still in my hand, ant
l was deeply occupied with the refiec
lions 1t had given rise to, when Ed
ward hastily entered the room. Hi;
| face showed signs of agitation, which
/ increased in sight of me,
Il have lost something" he sad
beginning a hurried search Ted
have you seen letter anywhere?
dropped one-in here, | think Yes
that's it," he added eagerly. stretch
ing out his hand to me-
Edward judged others by himself
He never doubted but that / had tina
moent raised the letter from tn
ground. am sure no suspicion
crossed his mind, for he took it iron
me with word OF thanks, and wa
about 10 hurry off when | stoppe
him Good or i'll, had never yet don
an action which | would not stand ly
Il have read your letter." sal,
slowly, without a shade of regret ii
my voice.
He heard my words, but do no
think the meaning Of them dawnei oil
him
Il have read your letter" re
peated.
| He turned then, and faced me
You read my letter-this letter
| You must be mad"
| suppose the expression of my face
convinced him, for he took step to
wards me and a look came into his
eyes that | should have quailed before
had I not felt that 1t was mirrored In
my own. | had never met the Tor
rington look before, and as he glared
back at me | understood for the first
time why ! had been but rarely cross
ed in my life.
We were still standing thus when
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