The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-10-19
Seleet Stnrp.
ROSAMOND'S CONQUEST.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

"RosamondP'
"Coming, mammal and the little girl
ran in from the garden, her dimpled fin
gers all stained, and her wicker basket hall
| filled with ripe strawberries.
"My love, l want you to run to the
drugstore, said her mother, looking up
from the handsome party dress she was
trimming. ;sPoor papa's fever is coming
on again, and he must have his medicine.
Ask the druggist to refill this bottle,
and
eyes, mamma; give me the money. "
Mrs. Trevor burst into tears.
"Rosamond, she said, 81 haven't a
cent in the wide world, and shall not have
till this dress is finished, and I've worked
SO hard; but run, my love, and ask the
druggist to send me the medicine, and tell
him he shall have his money early to.
morrow morning"
"Yes, mammal and away ran Rosa
mond, her sensitive mouth quivering, her
UiuO OyCo Auh VI tCdlc.
'sPoor mamma! poor mamma! Iwish l
could help herr' she murmured.
Meanwhile Mrs. Trevor sat at her sew
ing, but her tears often blinded her, and
she arose every minute or two to cross the
room and peep into her husbands cham
Der. He was doing, his wan face flushed
wish rising fever-her dear, handsome
husband, for whose love she had sacrificed
so much.
She was the daughter and only child of
a wealthy banker, this pale, sorrowing
wife. When she reached her eighteenth
birthday, her father called her into her
library and told her that he had chosen
her husband, at the same time displaying
handsome set of diamonds, which had
come with Mr.. Oglethope's proposal.
'sSuch fine diamonds they are! And,
my dear, Mr.. Oglethorpe comes of the
best family in the State, and he is mil
ionaire as well.
''But, papa, I cannot marry Mr.. Ogle'
thorpe" "
"Why not?''
''Becaus l don't love him.
'Stuff You'll love him soon enough
when you are once his wife. Not another
word-you shall take him or no one.
shall see young Trevor and give him or
ders to cease visiting my house. You heal
me, Edith?'
s'Yes, papa, but if 1 don't obey2'
''Then I'll disown you, and you II marry
under my curse"
And when Edith, as many fond, weak
girl has done, yielded to her lovers per
suasions and became his wife, her father
kept his word From the hour of hel
marriage she saw his face no more.
She was very happy with the man Of
her choice, and did not regret the step she
had taken, although her estrangement from
the father she loved caused her unceasins
pain. At first they managed to live quite
cozily, but soon Mr.. Trevor, never strong
failed in health Then security deb
came upon him and swept away his little
all, and couple of years after Rosamond'
birth they were very poor indeed, and nov
there was another little one in the cradle.
For her children sake Edith swallowed
her pride and wrote her father touching
letter, begging him to forgive her and hell
her in her sore distress. The letter wa
returned to her unopened.
Then she get to work herself, taking il
embroidery and plain sewing; but all he
efforts could not keep the gaunt wolf from
the door.
She sat at her work now, thinking owe
her troubles and waiting for Rosamond'l
return.
1t was not long before the little creature
came running in, but one glance at he
grieved little face told her mother she hat
failed.
"Well, Rosie darling?'' she said, gently
"Oh, mamma, he wouldn't let me hav
itr' sobbed the child ''I told him abou
poor papa, and l begged him, but he SAT-
no-the money must come first.
"Well, love, it can't be helped sighed
her mother 81 can finish the dress ii
an hour, and then We shall get the money
Go and fan poor papa now, and put COLI
strawberry in his mouth when he wakes
Mamma must sew.
Rosamond obeyed, taking her place BY
her fathers couch. She famed him int
sound sleep, and then she went to the
open window, and fell to dreaming.
1 The afternoon sunshine glittered on th'
little garden plot, with its tufts of pink
and heart s-ease, and its square bed o
strawberries. Rosamond built her castles
and meanwhile her mother finished ths
party dress, and arose to take it home.
'sTake good care of papa, Rosie, sh'
called, as she crossed the yard, ''and watcl
baby"
GAN right, mamma, +" answered Rosa
mond.
The summer afternoon droned away ant
with the twilight her mother returned
Rosamond had tidied up the sick room
and had made the tea already for he
fathers supper, beside rocking her bah.
brother when he awoke.
"WeIl, mamma she cried, joyfully,
Her poor mother fell into seat, ant
burst into sobs.
sOh, Rosamond, the lady can t pay M
till next week. There is no hope for us
poor paper must dieF
Rosamond only nodded her curly head
and curious sparkle lit her eye.
stI'll do it, she whispered, under he
breath.
Mr.. Trevor had bad night, and hi
wife got no sleep, consequently she did no
rise early the next morning, but Rosamon'
was up with the dawn.
| She put on her best dress, and her chil
hat, and stole downstairs, with her littl'
wicker basket in her hand Then she rar
into the garden, and gathered the larges