Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-02-10


He turned quickly. Il had too good
an offer to refuse. 4 firm in the city
offered me ten thousand for 1t ana
wanted an immediate answer. You
were in Foxburg yesterday and coulo
not wait to ask you. So [ wired
Yes, You didn't care so much AS
that for the house, did you? We can
put up another
She rose unsteadiiy, the tears start
ing to her eyes Il must think 1t all
over. Eric. / am q little upset. Good
by"
Alone In her room, Rose began TO
think as she had not done lof
mcnths. The sale OF tie mouse, MS
wedding gift to her, had given her
sudden jolt. But after all house Is
cnly house. her common sense Kept
telling her. She must do nothing Tor
which she would be sorry. But some
thing WAS wrong with her. All her
feeling for Eric seemed dead. Surely
his thoughtlessness could not Kill
real love so easily. Rose sat and
for the first time that her feeling FOR
the southerner was not love at all.
Sho cried herself to sleep that night
thinking OF Tom. "Oh. what have
doneE" she moaned. 4 have spoiled
bis life and mine, but would rather
i've In a cave with him than in pal
ace with Eric"
: In the morning she awoke clear
headed and courageous. Before she
dressed she wrote two notes, one to
Eric! breaking the engagement. and
very short one to Tom, merely asking
him to come to see her as she had
something to explain.
Tom went to Roses house. He had
not been surprised to get the note.
Rose, trying to look matter-of-tact
md dignifed, met him at the door.
And Tom pretended not to notice her
burning cheeks and eyes when
threatened to run over.
4 will just keep you a minute
TOM" she said simply. but | waited
you TO know something. 1t IS due you
You were entirely in the right when
We quarreled and l am very sorry.
xas wrong and want you to know It.
And another thing" She stopped
suddenly, then caught her breath and
the color left her Ease. Il have broken
my engagement to Mr.. Prescott.
totnk you should be the first one TO
know 1t. | discovered quite accident
ally that did not love him. That Is
oil. Tom" she said, rising and holding
out; her hand with a smile, except
that mother and l are going away to-
morrow for q month or TWO and / will
say good-by Do say am forgiven.
I would feel better about II, you
mow."
Tom looked at her steadily, then
took her little pink hand in his. Slow
ly he reached for the other and got It.
"Rose!"
Rose dropped her eyes and turned
crimson again.
rtRose, do you love meT'
No answer
Tell me. Do you love me?'
yes, Tom" almost inaudibIy.
He gathered her In his arms and
fiased her.
Dearest" he said little later. Il.
too have something / must get OF
my mind. | thought ! would beat
Eric at his own game. Ais fair In
love and war he used to say. and so
it L."
Rose looked startled. He went on.
did Eric tell you he had sold the
houSe?"
Yes"
"Well--I bought IT, The farm has
valuable coal on 1t. Rose. and | sold
rho rights. No one knows 1t, but
| am rich now. / had an idea you did
not love Eric Prescott and ] deter
mined to try him. too. I got an uncle
OF mine to make an offer for the
house to see II he would sell It, Pres
colt sent the answer by wire In less
than five minutes. Now am ! for
given, dear: The house Is still yours,
! you know"
Rose put her arms around his neck.
You are a dear. but l would rather
,iiTe in the country" she said.