The Morris County chronicle., 1910-03-01
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/ A VACABOND HEROINE /
a1 By ANNIE EDWARDS. ~;
BY ANNIE EDWARDS.


ness OF smile ana WORD. SuCn is
Rose. Her hair, that once was palest
hempen, is now as auriferous cop
per as Bond street chemistry can
make it, and marvel of luxuriance; ;
such exquisite plaits and tresses, such
sly nesting, unexpected little ring
lets! (Has Belinda forgotten the old
| dinnerless days, when her tired fin
| gers had to crimp and plait and curl
in the shabby London lodgings?) Her
| figure is plump-would be overplump
| but for the corset makers torturing
| aid, and Roses heroic resolve never
to own a waist of more than twenty
two inches. Her complexion, fair
naturally, improved by art, is-well,
complexion, not a skin; need / say
| more?
Belinda examines her with eyes
that would pierce all the enamel, all
the rice powder in the world
II am surprised to see you out of
mourning" she says, giving cold
glance at her stepmother's white-and-
lilac finery. HAS your Uncle Robert
been dead six or eight weeks? / do
not remember exactly?"
Eight weeks? Oh, Belinda dear,
how thoughtless you are! Uncle
Robert has been dead more than three
months, and / am only just in second
mourning. The milliners tell me it's
ridiculously deep, but II know
what friend have lost? OF course
/ could not enter upon these delicate
subjects in letter, Belinda, but
Uncle Robert has left me everything,
Internationally. Money, house,
plate, everything. only hope I may
be guided" says Rose, turning up
her eyes, "guided to make right use
of what is entrusted to mel"
Colder and harder grows the ex-
preston of Belinda's face. Can the
girl forget by whose absence, whose
death, Roses good fortune was pur-
chased?"
"Oh, you are very lucky, Rose,
veryl But, somehow, 1 cannot find
words just now to wish you JOY
What are your future plans? Are
you going to live in that big house
at Brompton all alone?"
Mrs. O'Shea's eyes sink to the
ground. "I-I have many things to
talk to you about, Belinda, as 1 limited
in my letter. But when 1 have told
all my little story am sure you will
feel for me in my position. The ro-
nance of two young lives!" murmurs
Rose, modestly apologetic. Love
sacrificed to duty! A heart slowly
breaking during dozen years. Be-
linda, my dear girl, you have heard
you must have heard of Roger Tenn
ple?"
But not by word or look will Be-
linda assist the widows bashfulness
or help her forward in her confess
sion. II believe that have heard of
such a person somewhere" she an
swers in tone of the most freezing
indifference. "Your friend Mr.. Jones
mentioned him, think, Rose. But
/ pay so little attention to anything
Mr.. Jones says!"
Belinda, when we were both
young-the day will come, hope,
child, when you will sympathize more
with the trials and temptations of
0thers-when we were both young,
Robert Temple and l first met And
he cared for me. Must / say more?"
Say everything, please, if you
want me to understand YOU"
Roger Temple has asked me to be
wife at last, and -
"And you-are going to be married
again!" interrupts Belinda cruelty
| For the third time! Then all ]
can remark is, you are very fond OF
being married, Rose"
"I'm sure l don't know how you
can be so unfeeling," says Rose, al
most crying. But you were always
the same. Even when you were little
you had no more sensibility than a
stone. And Roger always expresses
himself so beautifully about you and
the Temples are such good family
and everything; and then to say that
IL, OF, all women living, am fond
of being married! ! do hope, Belin-
da, whatever your opinions may be
you will not express yourself in this
most heartless and indelicate man
ner before Captain Temple"
Captain Temple?" repeats Belin-
da, all innocence. why, when am
I ever to see Captain Temple?"
You will see him in st. Jean de
Luz to-day"
Captain Temple in st. Jean de
Luz? You mean to tell me, Rose
that you and young man are trav-
cling about the world together?"
Roger met me in Paris and again
in Bordeaux" says poor Rose. blush
ing through her rouge with vexation
Roger was tie old friend / told you
of. And there was always Spencer
and we have taken care never to stop
at the same hotel even. He has gone
now to look for a lodging in quite
another part of the town. If you
knew, Belinda-if you only knew
what soul of honor Roger Temple
has you would not talk so lightly!"
"Ah, but yon must remember ]
know nothing at all about him., re-
torts the girl, "and my education does
not dispose me to take any man (
honor ON trust. Never mind, Rose, Z
she goes on with an assumption Of
| plying complaisance; II am shocked
own. but will keep what / think to
myself will not say word, even
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