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Rose is not designed for a model girl : and the Sequel was simply written in fulfilment of a promise ; hoping to afford some amusement, and perhaps here and there a helpful hint, to other roses getting ready to bh; ,i .. Septembek, 1876. L. M. Alcott. CONTENTS. Chap. Paob I. Coming Home 1 II. Old Frip:nds with New Faces .... 30 III. Miss Campbell ... 52 IV. Thorns among the Roses 69 V. Prince Charming 80 VI. Polishing Mac 99 Vn. Phehe 123 VIH. Breakers Ahead 149 IX. New Year's Calls 160 X. The Sad and Sober Part 179 XT. Small Temptations 191 XII. At Kitty's Ball 212 XIII. Both Sides 234 XIV. Aunt Clara's Plan 2.52 XV. Alas for Charlie 261 XVI. Good Works . 276 Vlii CONTENTS. Chap. XVII. Among the Haycocks XVIII. Which was it ? XIX. Behind the Fountain XX. What Mac Did XXI. How Phebe earned her Welcome XXII. Short and Sweet . Paob fl 290 1 309 1 333 1 342 i 355 i 367 J 1 r 1 1 a i ROSE IN BLOOM. ) CHAPTER I. A COMING HOME. 'T^IIREE young men stood together on a wharf -■- one bright October clay, awaiting the arrival of an ocean steamer with an impatience which found a vent in lively skirmishes with a small lad, who per- vaded the premises like a will-o'-the-wisp, and afforded much amusement to the other groups assembled there. " They are the Campbells, waiting for their cousin, who has been abroad several years with her uncle, the Doctor," whispered one lady to another, as the hand- somest of the young men touched his hat to her as he passed, lugging the boy, whom he had just rescued from a little expedition down among the piles. " Which is that ? " asked the stranger. " Prince Charlie, as he 's called, — a fine fellow, the most promising of the seven ; but a little fast, people say," answered the first speaker, with a shake of the head. "Are the others his brothers?" " No, cousins. The elder is Archie, a most exem- plary young man. lie has just gone into business f ItOUE IN BLOOM. witl, the ,„o,.cl,n„t „„,.|o, anrl bi,,s fair to be n„ I,o„„,. to m. fa,„, y. The „„,c,., with the eye-glas,,,. a„.I 1 gloves, ,.s Mae, ,he „,kl „„e, just out of Tolle-e " "And the boy?" ° ' " Oh, he is .ra,„io, the y„u„gest brother of Arehibahl nnd the ,,et of the ^l.ole fa.nily. Mercy on „., ' ho' .' be .„ ,f they ,Wt hoM on to him." The ladies' el,at ean.e to a su.hleu end just there • for, by the „n,e Jamie had been fished out of a ho. , Lead the stean,er hove i„ sight and every thin. eNe ZX"-';- ^^''-™"«^'"-'^--ltoe„t:rt •lock, a boyisli voice sliouted, ~ "There she is ! I see her and unele and rhel,e ' Hooray for Cousin Itose I" and three small el,eers were g.ven with a will by Jan.ie, as he stood o , a pos wavn,g his ..ms like a windn.ill, while his brother held on to the tail of his jacket. Yes, there they were ITi„.l„ ai • . 1 i ,-, , ^ ".-le, tjncle Alec swin. ii. hU ha , e a boy, with Phebe sn,i,ing and noddin: one s de, and Rose kissing both hands delightedly on he other, as she reeogui.ed fan.iliar faces Indca fanul.ar voices welcoming her home "Bless her dear heart, she 's bonnier than ever - Ws I.ke a Ma.lon„.a,_ doesn't she?- with It' «"id. said Charlie e.«itedly, as they watched the g.-onp upon the deck with eager eye, "Madonnas don't wear hats like that. Rose h,sn't changed much, but PLcbe has Wi i , ntue nas. H hy, she 's a regular COMING HOME. o bo nn honor L,Wasst'g ;uie. 5» •of Aroliibald, y on us ! bo 'JI 'i«^ just llicre; lit of a Iiogs- 'ly thing else 1 to enter the and Phebe! sin.'ill olieers stood on a e ]iis brother swinging his nodding on liglitedly on s and licard than ever 1 -with that 'y'ni? in the Pitched the ^ose hasn't s a reguKir i; beauty ! " answered Arcliie, staring with all his miglit at the dark-eyed young woman, with tlic brilliant color and glossy, black braids shining in the sun. "Dear old uncle! doesn't it seem good to have him back?" was all Mac said; but he was not looking at "dear old uncle," as he made the fervent remark, for he saw only the slender blonde girl near by, and sti-etched out his hands to meet hers, forgetful of the green water tumbling between them. During the confusion that reigned for a moment as the steamer settled to her moorings, Rose looked down into the three faces upturned to hers, and seemed to read in them something that both pleased and pained her. It Avas only a glance, and her own eyes were full ; but through the mist of happy tears she received the impression that Archie was about the same, that Mao had decidedly improved, and that something was amiss with Charlie. There was no time for observation, however ; for in a moment the shoreward rush began, and, before she could grasp her travelling bag, Jamie was clinging to her like an ecstatic young bear. She was with difficulty released from his embrace, to fall into the gentler ones of the elder cousins, who took advantage of the general excitement to welcome both blooming girls with affectionate impartiality. Then the wanderers were borne ashore in a triumphal pro- cession, wdiile Jamie danced rapturous jigs before them even on the gangway. Archie remained to help his uncle get the luggage HOSE IN BLOOM. r "•"l llicir lR.|<„,gi„g,. "' ''*•"■''« will, ,I,e,„ "Well, ,iiy in.'inrijlii,, i,l,.,t ,i '-'-nw, ,0 Weak , i:r' '^ '"S, and I was ,„,„ -^ •'"I "-nglitest J„ok. y™.-"-eso kind of sLr ,,,' ^''?''^'' '"". -"'•Low to.npostnon.sly. ' ^ "*" *'""» r<'utl, did it yo;;"Ck;::vTe,:;i:r',"°''"'"^''^^'">'o.. at the gentlemen onposit, V •\""*"'""ons look -l>ec.ful ad„,i,.„tion":^^ ; ^n^r "' ""■•"'«" » " i 'm so d.z.Iedbv,,t-mr '"""''''-"■ ''•^« -Hldenly bu,,t ,^„" ^'^^''''^^ »"d J'eanty that •■■tlJ'-css my emotion," ■"■" "" "'O'-'^s to .io'teingtiidan;:;::;,,:" '''-'-«»''-% 'JcM'tsnyyet, fori have not hid ,• any one. I ,vi|l „o„. jf ,,„„ , "'"' "™« to look at g-at an„.e„,ont of' L "l; l' '"""'•" ""'' '" «- '- "^e-gla.. „„d to„k an oWat^r"-"^ '"'"'''' others oscortcfi i''t'y sJiiit up in m-ious coiistr.iint For tliey rc;.Iizo(], s woro men ann",<,ditest Jook- ^'»t, somehow I i-e.-illy think youth did it a bit about cause she is. 'jiovous look t'xpressed a ^ her. beauty that > words to '> gallantly to look at ^nd, to the f adjusted I COMING HOME. 6 "Well?" said Phebe, smiling and blushing under his honest stare, yet seeming not ♦-> resent it as she di.l the lordly sort of ai.i)roval which made her answer the ghmce of Charlie's audacious blue eyes with a flash of her black ones. "I thi.ik if you were my sister, I should be very proud of you, because your face shows what I admire more than its beauty, —truth and courage, Phebe," answered JMac, with a little bow, fidl of such genuine respect that surprise and pleasure brought a "sudden dew to quench the Are of the girl's eyes, and soothe the sensitive pride of the girl's heart. Rose clai)ped her hands just as she used to do when any thing delighted her, and beamed at Mac approv- ingly, as she said, — " Now that 's a criticism worth having, and we are much obliged. I was sure you'd admire my Phebe when you knew her: but I didn't believe you would be wise enough to see it at once ; and you have gone up many pegs in my estimation, I assure you." " I was always fond of mineralogy you remember, " and I 've been tapjjing round a good deal lately, so I 've learned to know precious metals when I see them," Mac said witli his shrewd smile. " That is the last hobby, then ? Your letters have amused ns immensely; for each one had a new theory or experiment, and the latest was always the best. I thought uncle would have died of laughing over the vegetarian mania : it was so funny to imagine you nosji w BLOOM. '"•inn- on 1,,-ca.l an.l niilk I,.l-,.,1 «'.-'.-lk., cviJently f«,li, 1 r ";:'"'" '° ^™'" 1"" i" «■' <'- >-..i quite t" ''"" ■'"" •'-" •"■■•«od " lint in s,,i,o of th-,f n ""■■" «'""' '"'' '"'"• ;''^>.aiiu,„s,o::,.:'''; ;.^:;f ''"■;.".i.eo,,o,o J'"- wrote ... ,„o„t it- ; ; k/,/"T""' "'"■" ^'""' way t.n,t eausej a.;, ' """f '" "'^ ''""> ''-"•^ "> » >'-ioftbe,.„d.w;r';,'i,:;f"'''^"'^«'-p"b.d don't deserve any p,,ise P • ^' "' ^'"^^'' •' «« ^ I'm not sure that my wiJd 0,/. ', '''^ ^^'^^«^e, --IVeseensoJd l;:;r^^^^^^^^^ 7-'^' -d I'm „o„e the woleZ: t ""^ '''"' ^^^^ placidly. ^''^ *^^ them," said JMac, "I know what 'will nnfo ' Mac say ChaHie wa. soti " UTo"; '"^"'' ^""'^ """"•-' ^0 Bl,e told ,ne \ , j °? '^^'' ••"'<• ^ "^ed 6"S|>elievo yo..„vs c,f absence Jn<]\v.. , '^'""'" ' '''"^ ?';- ^M- ones, .iK> .,.1 1^. :^:^"^"^^^^ «".! pIcsMnt. "^ '''"""^'^^" ''^-' ^vas both not Soinethinnr sweet yet snl.-Jf i , »-'" (/uicil how nice if i« ♦« fof a great happiness. ^'ving ih,,,,^^ "I sliouMn't wondor if •"•ought a fi,.eb,.n„d i„to thn f". /"""'' "'•■" you'd "outalrcady,ifr„ „,;'''""'' " '■■"'' ''•'•ve f„„„d -i* ; nod !..„, .;,::;;r::t:-"!'*'^<' u-.^ „.„, •^''^ in the back p',,!". ""•""■"" -""J "'«-■„.„„„,;. lioso and PJiebe «.^f »■- -deut, ..:;:::- -.;;^ Liic places wiiicii they COMING HOME. 9 were clestincd to fill l,y Hgl.t «.f youll,, sex, nnd boauty ; for Plu'be h:ul long since ceased to be the maid and' bcconu' tlie friend, and Rose meant to have that fact established at once. Jamie occupied the rug, on which Will and Gcordie stood at ease, showing their uniforms to the best advantage ; for tliey were now in a great school, where military drill was the delight of their souls. Steve j.osed gracefully in an arm-chair, with Mac loun.dn- over the back of it; while Archie leaned on one "cor- ner of the low chimney-])iece, looking down at Phebe as she listened to his chat with smiling lips, and cheeks almost as rich in color as the carnations in her belt. But Charlie was particularly effective, although ho sat upon a music-stool, that most trying position for any man not gifted with grace in the management of liis legs. Fortunately Prince was, and l,ad fallen into an easy attitude, with one arm over the back of the sofa, his handsome head bent a little, as he monop- olized Rose, with a devoted air and a very becoming exi)ression of contentment on his face. Aunt Clara smiled as if Avell i)leased ; Aunt Jessie looked thoughtful ; Aunt Jane's keen eyes went from dapper Steve to broad-shouldered Mac with an anx- ious glance; Mrs. Myra murmured something about her "blessed Caroline;" and Aunt Plenty said Avarmly, — "Bless the dears ! any one might be proud of such a bonny flock of bairns as that." 10 J^OSE IN BLOOM, p-lV A,:". T\ ': '""^ "'T""' - -»" - you «ns„.e,.ed D Tl o '.T'-'' '"' '"•^"^ ''°>''' ^^ ''-<' l.n.ste to 'brin° ;r,, ' "';"•'"'• '"■■"l* -^ i„ s„eh To .no there ",,', *'''■'''•'■"■ "^ " '^ -""I. of a ,o„„ 'i . " '"= ''T' 1«"-'- ". the sight 30 innocent' ;C=rso ""■"'""' "' '"^ -^<'' before i,e,- a„d , ? „ «". 'gnoi-^nt of all that Iie8 ..psana:; t; ^'"\r ' P-''-^ «» ,„eet the toy, ; but the poo UtleT ""'' '"'^ •"^""■- "'^ "«= With a„, anuo';!^:!:" Z 'T' '""''-' they are sure to need it for 1 ' ""■ "' ^"^"' »«n battle, and onTvVh: ) '^ ""' "»'' ^^t her "• ^l only the brave and stroni; can win " 1 ou can't reproach yourself wi,l, , sort, Alec, for you hav« d '''"'" °^ "«" George', irl • a^^d I . ^'""' ''''*^ ^""""% by ■ --.■ed old MacuneC; ;;;:':; ^■°"'"'"'- hut ,vith ;;':;:" r .•'-'■ ^--d -a happy, y year my anxiety seen,3 to increase. ""^ COMING HOME. 11 ' as soon as you t* gi«-l will come you went away, fancy; for with '^I off in her first ^Ii-s. Chira, with s with Rose ; I ow, you know," ^'■^If to himself, Jle are in such as it 's called, ic in the sight d of the workl, •f all that lies I to meet the ■ better by the 3om provided oner or later, mst fight her ? can win. 5J gleet of that faithfully by nd happiness to you," an- tlie paternal ir sons, and happy; to increa&e. m 've done my best to fit Rose for what may come, as :ar as I can foresee it; but now she must stand alone, md all my care is i)0werles8 to keep her heart from aching, lier life from being sfiddened by mistakes, or thwarted by the acts of others. I can only stand by, ■ready to share her joy and sorrow, and watch her iehape her life." ( " Why, Alec, what is the child going to do, that you Jncod look so solemn?" exclaimed Mrs. Clara, who |peenied to have assumed a sort of right to Rose J already, "Hark! and let her tell you herself," answered Dr. Alec, as Rose's voice was heard saying very earnestly, — "Now you have all told your plans for the future, why don't you ask us ours?" " Because we know that there is only one thing for a pretty girl to do, — break a dozen or so of hearts before she finds one to suit, then marry and settle," answered Charlie, as if no other reply was possible. " That may be the case with many, but not with us ; for Phebe and I believe that it is as much a right and a duty for women to do something with their lives as for men ; and we are not going to be satisfied with such frivolous parts as you give us," cried Rose, with kindling eyes. " I mean what I sny, and you cannot laugh me down. Would you be contented to be told to enjoy yourself for a little while, then marry and do nothing more till you die?" she added, tiu-ning to Archie. 1^ ll « I nOSE m BLOOM. \ i "•0 -vc s„t ,„;,„,, „„,, „„„, " V' '" " """"'" '■ '"' prove ll,.„ T ^ """« '° ''" "'ill' '"vo till I ' -..-pH- ,„„, .„„..,„„,, e;;;^ ,;t X tt girlish outbreak. "^ lanoyug it all a . '••■'..ntcd by .ho smiles of ^ocl n ^ , ' ™"'"'S den»io„ o,.tl,e faces of hf, '"ereduliiy or '■1' >ny mi,„l not to be eheated ^ , , '"■'' "'"'''' haven't lived ,vith Pbebe ^, f '" """'''''■ ' know wb.,t cc....,„e ,„7sel' r ''''^ '" ™'" •• ^ BO that I could ,,:. . i e...'.„ t " T'"^ '" ""^ «"'■■'■' «s brave and inS.,..- w ' f '"'"' "'"'' '""'' »') be '■■'"■"" "' ""^ '-" be pretty soon." 1/. lit of a man's life," , but not all;' con- dor ;i woin;i/i : for ^'»''nrts; nmhition aceoni|.!i.sliin("nt,s; X'Jl ns love and 1),. is all a woman is with IfH'o till I ' Iiousckccper and lan's ri^dits with g "P with mock •se with mingled aneying it all a ockcd : you will 'y the beginning ^ose, nothing 1 incredulity or "I have made be real things St because I 'm o many do. I ars in vain ; I n do for one ,* 7 in the world tb her, and be pretty soon." COMIXG HOME. 18 I It was evident that Rose was in earnest now • for .as she spoke, she turned to her frien.l with sueh re- spect as well as I >v. m h^ ™-^- ■>-::': 4":tl;:;;i::^,rir-— - : ' ^o^'^j Alec, are "ou jroino- tn l»f +1,,,^ • i a fine fortune on a„ sortTof^ a ^Mrf '■' ^'J"'""'^' wild schemes for .!,„ "'aritable nonsense and cri„,o- • f''™"""" of pauperism and They who give to the poor lend to thp T ^ i - , practical Christianity is the ki-i^r , '"^' "'"' -as all Dr. Alec a w e . ,^ '^ ": '"^'T "" •'^^'•" and caused even prudlt u'nd \L t^ -'k""? ,""""' ucic .uac to t' xuk with 8ud- i COMING HOME. 15 f was to dear Aunt tlicine; but uncle any M.D.'s in one . Besides, I seem Is that I urn better t is generous and tter what you 've 5 was a new style it immensely. ^» and beautiful le because I have fl of the fortune isely for the hap- ilian if I keep it said, but it was various hearers lother, who ex- U girl squander 3 nonsense and pauperism and the Lord,' and >ves the best," ced the aunts, ' iuk witii sud- den satisfaction of certain secret investments he haublic disgrace if peace was not speedily restored Hastily smoothing themselves down, the youncr o-en- tlemen presented three flushed and merry counte- nances for inspection, feeling highly honored by the command. " Dear me, how you two have grown ! You bio- I t nngs! how dare you get ahead of me in this way^" .| she said, standing on tiptoe to pat the curly pates be- I fore her; for Will andGeordie had shot up like weeds, ^ and now grinned cheerfully down upon her as she sur- veycd them in comic amazement. ii Wi aHa 18 I I f JiOSE IN- BLOOM. 1 1 111 ■ " The r,„„,,lx.ll., „,.,. ,„ „„ .,„ Vc. c ,,,lo,-tha,, Move „„«,,. ,„,f . ,„,j, i„j,, ^, ™, .ulded Geonlu., will, his „„,, ,„ n,,, ..^^ ont of ,ny ,vits," alio sai.I, h„„.l,in.. u ih. ! it as she .,,„kc. ° ° '" ""'"'°''^ "-^ Thoy can.e i„ a body, and, rt,mdi„g d,o„Idc.,- to shouhl..,-, made such an i„,,,osi„„ ,,„.,„ .T,„ T eonnnande. .as .-athe.. daLu^r:,:'! tl^T^Z J' tunc, and the tlesjre to try a mvUsh to^t ."iT-s ... ,™ „„,„ ,1, j,.,.,i.,c:; arm. COMING HOME. ft'Hows; and we oiildn't wonder if ." observed Will iij^line r<)()>stor, all t Kose kept ]icr get our growth. ii lit'ad, botli of lie air. 1, with a sudden !'!« naj)kin, and i»s queen of the ^ Ins deathless I 've a fancy to 5ver, as you did ^ fi-ij^ditened me llio memory of "g shoulder to that the young moment. But d lately to be y a girlish test >iniling cousins you stared at 1 boys for en- "g Iier alarm. 19 I 'm not a bit afraid of you now ; so trend.Ic and beware!" As she s])oke, Rose looked up into Archie's face and ■ nod.led approvingly ; for the steady gray eyes met ; liors fairly, and softened as they did so, -a becoming change, for naturally they were rather keen than kind. "A true Campbell, bless you ! " she said, and shook his hand heartily as she passed on. Charlie came next, and here she felt less satisfied though scarcely conscious why; for, as she looked' there came a defiant sort of flash, char.ging suddeidy to something warmer than anger, stronger than pride, making her shrink a little and say, hastily,— "I don't find the Charlie I left; but ihe Prince is there still, 1 see." Turning to Mac with a sense of relief, she gently took off his "winkers," as Jamie called them, and looked straight into the honest blue eyes that looked straight back at her, full of a frank and friendly affec i tion that warmed her heart, and made her own eyes brighten as she gave back the glasses, saying, with a look and tone of cordial satisfaction,— " You are not changed, my dear old Mac ; and I 'm so glad of that ! " "Xow say something extra sweet to me, because 1 m the flower of the family," said Steve, twirliiu. the blonde moustache, which was evidently the pride of his life. 20 HOSE IN BLOOM. Kose saw at a glance that Dandy deservorl 1 • niore than ever nnrl . , , -^ ^^'^'^^'^^^'^ ^^^s name " Let Ir Iff'"' °T ''"""' "j--''^™ feeing th.U he dia /„~"r f """'"'' '''' every one's opinion when Roso'Tl """""«'■" W", saying, with a kiss _ ^ ^"' '""^ ''"""d too S:rxt:[aiir;r,""'''^ ''''"-- emnds for me.» ''"'" ^'^e to do my i""^:.:.'^nu;;vtr"T,r:.7r'>^-"'" "bout her with g,,tef„l ardor ° '' " "" "'""« " ""'■ ' '""'•^' '"^ ™"'^ -^ that you 'd hotter marry I/. deserved his name nched his vanities of the family is i-ed Will. 2cl Geordie, mind- ud of you ; only r be ashamed to Rose, with a gen- roung giant; for their boyish eyes IS. his manliest air, itage among his t of the class in ler arms round the others are '^S^ to do my too, if you 'II Jamie, rather on. )wt?" laughed t, as he clung better marry COMING HOME. 21 I ■# one of us, and keep the property in the family; sol speak first, because you are very fond of me, and I do love curls." Ah, for Jamie ! this awful speech had hardly left his innocent lips when Will and Geordie swept him out of the room like a whirlwind; and the howls of that hapless boy were heard from the torture-hall, where bemg shut into the skeleton-case was one of the mildest imnish.nents inflicted upon him Dismay fell upon the unfortunates who remained : bu their confusion was soon ended ; for Rose, with a look which they had never seen upon her face before dismissed them with the brief command, "Break Phebe"^^' '''''''"^ '' ""'''''" ^'"""^ ''^^^'^ ^^^'^^ ^^ " Confound that boy ! You ought to shut him up, or gi^g him ! » fumed Charlie, irritably " He shall be attended to," answered poor Arcjiie who was trying to bring up the little marplot with the success of most parents and guardians " The whole thing was deuced disagreeable," growled Steve, who felt that he had not distinguished himself in the late engagement. "Truth g«,en,lly is," observed Mac dryly, as he strolled away with his odd smile. As if he suspected discord sornewliere. Dr. Alec ,.ra,,osed music at this crisis; aud the young ,,eo,,le felt that It was a Iiappy thought. " I want you to hear both „,y birds ; for they have ^'l ItOSE IN BLOOM. \\ m in the kitchen. " ^^ ''^''" ^^'^ ^^^^^ ^vas in " I 'JI give you some of the deir nT.T c^ to like so much Ti • 7 """^^ >'"" "sod It chanced to be " TI.o i^- t vivid,, rocaned the til if j^/ ^'"'t"'^'" -"^ involuntarily lie,- eve w,n i„ , • ° '""'' ="'<1 ^vas not fa,. Iv'v "^ ,:'''"" '^''^'l '" ^^''voli of hin>. I-I„ she soothed In'; S 'I' " '" "^^'' '" ^" -l.en ehai- With hi, I otr: Tr'"""^' -^^'■•""•' »' ^ -ggc'stod the attitude He,, he,?"'." '' '^"^ ^°'« I'im a.s she looked and .., '^""' '°^'™«1 '» no one else- f„ V"! """' '° ""-S"" ^- « ^i»e, 101 she was sure thot ]i« i.^^ -■.;;v,dansabouthcrti,.eson,e„:on; '"°""'™- «nc ::::;'::,,:::t; ^™^'-. »'^- -• «.-> ..is ,^ «l'uji uLi wufi ,^n express on r^^? +^ i i-ation, ^vhich made he,- l-.., i "'^•'^ ''^^""- --nuneonseir: i;:r;r''"r'' »^iJL ^s as both amused and Jk COMING HOME. 23 >road of them," and pulling out 'ou have heard canary," added se ; for slie sat rather shy and r place ^vas in ongs you used I think; "and lii* that came, no means fin- 3rfeldie," and ' ill, and she Jt to her, and of him. He to sit when -astride of a if the song softened to ■give him if 1 no merce- 1 fixed his nder admi- her efforts Jiused and annoyed at liis very evident desire to remind her of certain sentimental passages in the last year of their girl and boyhood, and to change what she had consid- ered a chiMish joke into romantic earnest. This did not suit her; fur, young as slie was, Pti^se had very serious ideas of love, and had no intention of bein*' beguiled into even a flirtation with her handsome cousin. So Charlie attitudinized unnoticed, and was gettinf^ rather out of temper when Phebe bei^an to sinfr- and he forgot all about himself in admiration of her. It took every one by surprise : for two years of foreicni trammg added to several at home had worked won- ders; and the beautiful voice that used to warble clieeiily over pots and kettles, now rang out melodi- ously or melted to a mellow music that woke a sym- pathetic thrill in those who listened. Rose glowed with pride as she accomi)anied her friend ; for Phebe was in her own world now, — a lovely world where no depressing memory of poor-house or kitchen, igno- rance or loneliness, came to trouble her; a happy world where she could be herself, and rule others by the magic of her sweet gift. Yes, Phebe was herself now, and showed it in the change that came over her at the first note of music. No longer shy and silent, no longer the image of a handsome girl, but a blooming woman, alive and full of the eloquence her art gave lior, as she laid her hands softly together, fixed her eye on the light, and just 24 ^0^'^ m BLOOM. Mac, AVDino- l,,\ n.-no t^ <-^ci.iimecl Uncle th.-.t'„ev' ;;.!;: ii;: "*'" ""<' °^"- '"-'"ivo b.,,.,.,. "So it ,vo„W ! •> „,„,,e,.ea Dr. Alec, delightedly So ,t has," added A.-ol,ie to l,ira,clf • and '•'if It: for iii«f .„ ,1 . """uscit, and lie was pLhe. To tul r?'°'r"''''" '"" '" '"" -"t though r,\t; ' '""■'"■ ""' """'• '- "-•'•"y lie over beheld ■ if fi, loveliest woman was an an. i,',; , ' ? ""' '""'"^ """'"- P-t, she nine ho Js . ri" 7 • "'^ ' """ »' ''"'^ ""- to that tel r ! l.r"' ■'""'" "'"' " "•"'"'"- -» J;;™rh::e™rrr--f";"^^-'."o- quite true- and «ol,„ , ' '"=>"'"«-''<^^s, it was discovered a fund o' ''"^'™-'"'« Archie suddenly «-as not quite clear what had ,n T '"'"• "" -d sat about in a .lale: st r;^::! f ," '■''' knowing nothing but Phebe • 11'-, °' ""' "oyound soniethiiig wan.:: ;„ t *;j::,,:™°"f ''-- modestly received, because Mr A J ""'" '" word. ^^ '''"'' never said a COMING HOME. 25 ully as the Jark 'oice that wiiia clnimed Uncle liiitive ballads ^lightedly. ; and he was in Jove with e time almost e, he merely n ; at twenty 3liest woman tes 25ast, she at half after lelicious sea lovers usu- "g fact, no- CSS, it was fe suddenly torn of his him. He lira at first, gi hearing, nconscious praise so r^er said a ^ This was one of the remnrkable things wliich oc- * curred that evening; another was tliat IMac paid Rose a compliment, which was such an uni)recedented fact, it i)ro(luced a great sensation, though only one person heard it. 1 i:voryl)ody haI..cully c.„„„„„c.,,, " Do yo,. know, it socm, n, if I ■H.C.,. ,v:.lly .,„. „ .i,., ,,,,•„,,,, „, I,,., ".'.■«..■.: e ...,„„,„,,„,,„„,, ,^., Ifaucy,ou „ :' v<--m:nkMy goo.I s,.udmcn, IJose." ."''^'■'' "'-t,s, _ noisy ami q.uet one. I ,„,,te,. ,|,e ,,„,,^ ,„ „^ '^ tl ...«, i don't notice ,u,y of tl,e,„ much ,„„,. \Cl do fl,es, uules. tbey botl.er me; then I'd like to flap the.,, away ; but, as that wou't do, I hide " ^ Kose leaned back and laughed till her eyes we,-e ulK t was so eon,ical to hea,- Mae sink his voice Zl confident,al whispe,- at the last words, and see Z -le w.th sinla, satisfaction at the .Lmo-y "f torniGiUors he Juid eluded. " You needn't Iaunt f^,*^ •^^ a iiiuuicu. i iiat tact wi]I scare most men away like a yeilow flag," said Rose, for, thanU to Dr. Alec s guardianship, she had wasted neither heart nor tune in the foolish flirtations so many girls fritter away their youth upon. "Hum! I rather doubt that," muttered Mae, as he surveyed the d.arasel before him. She eertainly did not look unpleasantly strono-. minded, for she »« beautiful in spite of her mod"; aenia Is. Beautiful with the truest s'ort of beauty t nobility of charaeter lent its subtle charm to the bloom o youth the freshness of health, the innocence of! nature whose sweet maidenliness Mae felt but could n describe. Gentle yet full of spirit, and all aglow ^..th the earnestness th,at suggests lovely possihiirties ' and makes one hope that such human'fl'owers my bioim -r ^"^^' "^ -' ~ ---'- - ;' Wait and see," answered Rose ; 'then, as her uncled voice was heard in the hall, she held ^t her h and adding pleasantly, " The old times are to begin Zt .0 onio soon and tell me all your doings, and help 2 with mine just as you used to do » tj.'Z^ COMING HOME. 29 n-ers round, I " man." p them away ; between oiir- f it is knoAvn in scare most 5 : for, thanks asted neither many girls d Mac, as he ntly strong- 1 Ker modest beauty; for to the bloom ocence of a t but could d all aglow r)ossibilities, ' lowers may iunshine to her uncle's her hand, egin again, td help me " I really do. You are so little altered, except to grow big, that I don't feel at all strange Avith you, and want to begin Avhere we left off." " That will be capital. Good-night, cousin," and to her great amazement he gave her a hearty kiss. "Oh, but that is not the old way at all!" cried Rose, stei.ping back in merry confusion ; while the audacious' youth assumed an air of mild surprise, as he inno- cently asked, — " Didn't we always say good-night in that way ? I had an impression that we did, and were to beffin just as we left off." " Of course not ; no power on earth would have bribed you to do it, as you know well enough. I don't mind^ the first night, but we are too old for that sort of thing now." " I 'II remember. It was the force of habit, I sup- pose ; for I 'm sure I must have done it in former tunes, it seemed so natural. Coming, father ! " and Mac retired, evidently convinced that he was right. " Dear old thing ! he is as much a boy as ever, and that is suc^ a comfort ; for some of the others have grown up very fast," said Rose to herself, recalling Charlie's sentimental airs, and Archie's beatified expres^ sion while Phebe sans. ked much I ROSE m BLOOM. CHAPTER II. OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. T is so good to be .at home ..gain ! I wonJcr how we over made ,,p our minds to go a„-ay i" ev c "".ed Rose, as .he went .-oanung 'hout Ihe oM .o„se next n.orning, fn„ of ,,, ,^^^^^^ ^ at .■ev.sumg familiu.- nooks and con.ers, and find ' tliom unchanged. "nuing ^"That we might have the pleasure of comin.. baeic ftei little mistre.ss, as happy as she. "Every thing seems just as we left it, even to the rose-leaves we used to tuck in here," cLtiuued the jounger girl, peeping into one of thL tall Ind , that stood about the hall. " ^''"^ "l)on't you ren.ember how Jamie and Pokey used to play Forty Thieves with them, and how you t Id to get „,to that blue one and got stuck, and he otW Xrg,;;: g "™ ' '""'' ^"" -- -'^" ^^ " Yes, indeed ; and speaking of angels one is ant t,. hear the rustling „f their wings," added R e '^; -----menpthe^ "It is the circus I" cried Phebe, ...aily n. n,ev h ,1, recalled the red cart and the charg;;f ^c^ ""* ^1 FACES. I wonder how ?o away!" cx- about tlie old 3tion one feels 's, and findinjr f coming back be ball besido t, even to the iontinued the ill India jars Pokey used )w you ti-ied id the other out?" asked >ne is apt to Rose, as i» mied by the s they both Clan. OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 31 There was only one boy noAv, alas! but he made noise enough for half a dozen ; and, before Iloso could run to the door, Jamie came bouncing in with a "sliin- ing morning face," a bat over his shoulder, a rod nn'»t«l. "-d had risen .i,ht°;t hi o;:r''°'""''"^'='^"s''-'^ OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 83 bettor believe ; • eyes, and split ; fellows. You 1 one and two iiidei-stand what Lt now if you '11 e, fired with a iss is wet, and 'r us." for much gen- littlc wet, and u ever do that a pitying look I the joys and ;e before you ; Ise of the mo- Yd astonished a<^ the start; reached the and panting, •etty picture •y- umping out saluted, and I as if gii-ig "I'm glad it is you, because you won't be shocked. But I 'm so happy to be back I forgot I was not little Rose still," said Atalanta, smoothing down her flying hair, "You look very like her, with the curls on your I shoulders in the old way. I missed them last night, m and wondered what it was. IIow is uncle and ' Phebc ? " asked Archie, whose eyes had been looking over Rose's head while he spoke toward the piazz^, where a female figure was visible among the redden- ing woodbines. "All well, thanks. W. n't you come up and see for yourselves ? " "Can't, my dear, can't possibly. Business, you . know, business. This fellow is ray right-hand man, f and I can't spare him a minute. Come, Arch, we must be off, or these boys will miss their train," an- swered Uncle Mac, pulling out his watch. With a last look from the light-haired figure at the gate to the dark-haired one among the vines, Archie drove away, and Jamie cantered after, consoling him- self for his defeat with apple number two. Rose lingered a moment, feeling much inclined to continue her run, and pop in npon all the aunts in suc- cession; but, remembering her uncovered head, was about to turn back, when a cheerful "Ahoy! ahoy I " made her look up, to see Mac approaching at a great pace, waving his hat as he came, "The Campbells are coming thick and fast this 8 34 ROSE IN BLOOM. morning, and the more the merrier » ^h. -a to meet him. « You look ^l! \ '^' '"""^"S -hool, and virtuoTslv r ' ^"^ '^^ ^^^"^ '- wav»«l, "^ ;";"«»«^y conning your lesson by the way, she added, smiling to see him t '° """" talked at once and v„„ , ^'"- ""^ "'her boys all then. Wha ;,ave ''°T'^ «"' '» » ^ord now and wnat liave you decided to be Mip?" o.i, i wHafG":;:"''''^-''-"«e> after tba, suddenly giiVri:? """"""^ '"^ ■"'''' "-« "Ithmk yoxxwill be somethino- sdIph.!;^ ^^ ;:r itr xf ^- --- -"; t/:- ' "^ 'eaves with the sunshine on vour fa^« " ■ exclaimed, conscious of . , jj , ^ '^^' *'''« before ; for Mac wl tt " '"""'■^"°" "^^^ f'" I don. know about that; but I h.ve my dreams le said, running i boy going to lesson by the e his finger out <3ing, and tuck ears ago. ol I like best," f asters, as if 'out them, full line. Jhance to hear >ther boys all '^ord now and ^ac?" asked by side. 2 ; after that, words, made see a new but she felt B mists part in-top, shin- ^ I for you his arch of face," she 1 never felt 3ousin8. 31}' dreams ? OLD FRIENDS WITH NE W FA CES. 35 and aspirations, and some of them are pretty high ones. Aim at the best, you know, and keep climbing { if you want to get on," he said, looking at \he asters ' wuh an inward sort of smile, as if he and they had some sweet secret between them. J " You are queerer than ever. But I like your am- y bition, and hope you will get on. Only mustn't you begm at something soon ? I fancied you would study medicme with uncle : that used to be our plan, y^ know." " I 8hall, for the present at least, because I quite agree with you that it is necessary to have an anchor somewhere, and not go floating off into the world of imagmation without ballast of the right sort. Uncle and I had some talk about it last night, and I 'm going up to begm as soon as possible ; for I 've mooned long enough," and giving himself a shake, Mac threw down V the pretty spray, adding half afoud, — " Chide me not, laborious band, For the idle flowers I brought : . Every aster in my hard Goes home iaden with a thought." Rose caught the words and smiled, thinking to her- self, « Oh that '8 it : he is getting into the sentimental age, and Aunt Jane has been lecturing him. Dear me how we are growilig up ! " * "You look as if you didn't like the prospect very I wel^ she said aloud : for Mao had rammed the volume I of Shelley mto his pocket, and the glorified expres- 36 ROSE m BLOOM. mists. ' "■' "ountain-top behind tlie a ii'or; ::nL;i :ixt r ^ '-'"-'- than uncle? I Ve ^ot ITT '^ " ■"="*"• '^""her high time I .ent atTo '! ^ "^ ""'" '•^'^'>-' »-> '« '« -d Mae ,.brnpt,;;::S'"^ T "" " ""''' ' «" '' ear:r:r3i::xs:tn"'"-'-- should be served ^r ^l^njLZl fl '"''''"^^ ments to devote to sentiment . "^ " ^"^ ""- t he,^ out w a™:5::'c,; 1" ^-^^ -- '»• -tiKeTe::':;i;v" "■-'■"<' •'-'^ '•^^'■'. « bit too heavy ■ ZlT .'"""• ^o- y" >« "ot before Novembe :To ttTe " "r"'' hegin much two am,s round my neet •' ' '''"^' '*'"' I""' ^o" Eose obeyed, and neither 8not» f the old woman held the vJ '^ ■" " "o"^"'. "' the two years- ^Jl 7"/ <"■ V'«-. »d appeased ' caresses women ZVj T "'' ""^^^ ''^ *"e «%ht in the mildL of aZTo:'""^' '" ''''^■ ^ddonly; and, holding out onl !''"'' """ ^'"Pf^-i --as tryi ,„.,!;:: --.oau^^ there^:n't:mra;'^r'"^''"'^"'"^'-'*'«'-.h ied that she had -top behind the ht the profession a better teacher ^•itely, and it is so here I go," udj', while Kose after long and orite puddings had a few mo- Kose came in, Id back again, ^o, you 're not 't begin much and put your a moment, as and appeased ' beart by the est to them, she stopped "ght Phebe, d. love, though ?et my dear I V whof T J m OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 37 about," said Aunt Plenty, embracing Phebe so heartily that she could not feel loft out in the cold, and stood there with her black eyes shining through the happiest tears. " There, now I 've had a good hug, and feel as if I M-as all right again. I wish you 'd set that cap in order. Rose: I went to bed in such a hurry I pulled the strings off and left it all in a heap. Phebe, dear, you shall dust round a mite, just as you used to ; for I haven't had any one to do it as I like since you 've been gone, and it will do me good to see all my knick- knacks straightened out in your tidy way," said the elder lady, getting up with a refreshed expression on her rosy old face. " Shall I duit in here too ? " asked Phebe, glanc ing toward an inner room which used to be her care. " No, dear, I 'd rather do that myself. Go in if you hke : nothing is changed. I must go and see to my pudding;" and Aunt Plenty trotted abruptly away with a quiver of emotion in her voice which made even her last words pathetic. Pausing on the threshold as if it was a sacred place, the girls looked in with eyes soon dimmed by tender tears; for it seemed as if the gentle occupant was still there. Sunshme shone on the old geraniums by the window; the cushioned chair stood in its accustomed place with the white wrapper hung across it, and the faded slippers lying ready. Books and basket, 88 ROUE m BLOOM. knitting and spectacles, were all l„.f u , «.em; and the beautif,, tZ„ ,i "ht^ f '"' '"'' the room seemed so natural b^h V "^^ ""'''' -'taril, toward the b d wW 'lutp' ""' '''^"'■ greet them with a smile tZ '"'' "''"' *° f-e upon the pi„ow :':" yet Z T "t '^'"'' <"" blooming cheeks were Zl , I T' "''" ""'■ ""= for >.er who was Teft^tetl r'" '"' ^'•"''- •">' «'hieh spoke eloquent vTr ^ '""^ "omething d«h and mates' the Lmlles: ^r t'^" .""'"^^' sacred. ""molest thing beautiful and -'SpX Sre'ssTthr^ '" '•^^- - ^" >vas a little hollow where ^J uT' '""'^ '^''^ ''hile Aunt Plenty s!idtL ^ "^ ""^ "'^^''^ '''"''^' J- seventy years'^ ""^"^ "°^ '»°"'- t-Sht Rose retrimmed the JZlV^ ""'' "''l"'^'*^ o'der, yel'ow ribbons n er'r^uld „' ""'."'"" "'»'' -" o-d by their tasks, and be, TV. '" '"""« "o"" the faithful love and pTetv wh f ^ '""'"^''S"' "^ woman's life. '^ ^ '''""''' '""""fl'^d » good old ■>a^i^"V:::^:Tr;ef.:^ - f <> - get you oouMn-t keep away anoti "'1,:::'^^':' ' '"'"' you •• I 'm dying to see ,11 ^^' "« ""''P I^awthe trunks pa and H"' ''"™'"' *""^= *" pass, and I know you Ve quantities as she had left bat always filled >rs turned invol- Peace used to 8 no sweet old rs that wet the > Jiad gone, but saw something which outlives beautiful and f'e bed, and in y couch there lightly re-*ed, nother taught be door; and, quisite order, '^•e pink and feeling hon- nowledge of i a good old to get you >ut I really Bt me help things; for J quantities I OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 39 I of treasures," cried Annabel Bliss, all in one breath ■■ as she embraced Rose an hour later, and glanced about the room bestrewn with a variety of agreeable objects. " IIow well you are looking ! Sit down and I '11 show you my lovely photographs. Uncle cliose all the best for me, and it 's a treat to see them," answered Rose, putting a roll on the table and looking about for more. " Oh, thanks ! I haven't time now : one needs hours to study such things. Show me your Paris dresses, there 's a dear : I 'm perfectly aching to see the last styles," and Annabel cast a hungry eye toward certain large boxes delightfully suggestive of French finery. " I h iven't got any," said Rose, fondly surveying the fine photographs as she laid them away. "Rose Compbell! you don't mean to say that you didn't get one Paris dress at least? "cried Annabel, scandalized at the bare idea of such neglect. " Not one for myself : Aunt Clara ordered several, and will be charmed to show them when her box comes." '•'• Such a chance ! right there and plenty of money ! How cow/J you love your uncle after such cruelty?" sighed Annabel, with a face full of sympathy. Rose looked puzzled for a minute, then seemed to understand, and assumed a superior air which became her very well, as she said, good-naturedly opening a box 40 ROSE IN BLOOM. ■ of ,„at ,„n!" ' ' ' """^ '"" "" ^P™" " oa thiag, "CoiiM and (li,I„'t! I canV h,.i- • . too much f„,. her. "" *''""«'" >«■» finuued, and not V 1 a7.„ f"?'""' ""'^ '""^■" ••""d koi)t what I valued ,„ ^"™ "''"'"?• Worth ever made " '" "'•■"' "" ""^ S^wns ^h:r:M:;'rir''^"-'«^A-ahc,. hoping lay the lovely picture thn ,.''■' '"° '^■■""' *'"^'-« of the litt Jtr-;:; t !:;; ir-^^ ^^--^ '- aTitt::^-"-----"-^^^^^^^^^ " Uncle thinks one has no nVht t„ ™eh things; but he is very Snel "^"""^^ »" give useful, heau.i,,,, „r o:i„'r:C'' st T^ '" pretty ornaments are for presents a ' ''" *'"'^<' first whatever you like." ' ^"" """' "hooso o'"g it, and I had end it on thijjgs lieve it!" And lie thought was 01" the fun of tho t some amazing ivo, very much g''ive them up, '•ill the gowns Annabel, hopin S Kose, looking ^S ease, where y» remind her ty, which not opinion." f, and fell to lose went on e dived into ite money on md Joves to 'ee, all these ^ shall choose OLD FRIENDS WITH ::E IV FACES. 41 « He 's a perfect dear ! " cried Annabel, revelling in the crystal, filigree, coral, and m.)saic trinkets spread before her; while Rose completed her rapture by add- ing simdry tasteful trifles fresh from Paris. "Now tell me, when do you mean to have your coming-out party? I ask because I 've nothing ready, and want plenty of time ; for, I suppose, it will be the event of the season," asked Annabel, a few minutes later, as she wavered between a pink coral and a blue lava set. " I came out when I went to Europe ; but I suppose Aunty Plen will want to have some sort of merry- making to celebrate our return. I shall beirin as I mean to go on, and have a simi)le, sociable ' l ot party, and invite every one whom I like, no matter in what 'set' they happen to belong. No one shall ever say / am aristocratic and exclusive : so prepare yourself . to be shocked; for old friends and young, rich and « poor, will be asked to all my parties." " Oh, my heart ! you are going to be odd just as mamma predicted 1» sighed Annabel, clasping her hands m despair, and studying the effect of three bracelets on her chubby arm in the midst of her woe «In my own house I 'm going to do as I think best ; and, if people call me odd, I can't help it. I shall endeavor not to do any thing very dreadful ; but I seem I to inherit uncle's love for experiments, and mean to try some. I dare say they will fail and I shall get lu.^hud at J I intend to do it nevertheless, so you 42 fl I I ^0^^ /i\r BLOOM. had better drop me now before TV.-,, ^'^th an air of resolution that t .'^'°' '"'^ ^«^> " Wl^at shall you weart ,, "''" '^^^"'"^• >^0"- ?" asked InnalirCL ';;:;" ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ of a" delicate or dan^^erou. f • "^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^ to she understood^ ^' ''^^^^.'-^"^ ^^^P-^ to matters " That white thino- nv«,. *k »"d nebe has onXl P' ' '^ '"•^'' ^"^ ?-«-■ "■an she does; „„<, got s o"T r"" '"" ""^« ™ost appropriate and becorainl, /°" "" "'-^Vs " Phebe ! you don't leT„"f ^'* "^ """ ^S--" • ""ke a lady of A../" g, ned a''^''?' '"'^ S"'"^ '» f easnres, as she fell bacS ' "P'"«'"S ">»' ""■e Chair oreak ^,:^,T^r^ '"- »«^e the as a partridge. ^^''^ ^^s as plump sHi';:;rriTt';::\::^Sf;^ s%hts her dearest," cried Rose, warmly ® '■""" ^■"' 'he J. es, of course T «)"■'« right; for sL ».«nu™"o::tr'-^°" "- and then hovr glad you '11 fee, thT ^•'"'"''ody, *° her!" said Annabel, vee 1 'l "T '""■' ^° «<""» which way the wind blej ^ ""'' "' °»°«' «««!«? Before Rose could si»at „ • from the hall, _ "^"^ "S"'"' " <"''ery voice called ^aittle mistress, where are you f» in my room, Phebe, dear " ,„^ «oso was going to "ma e T iadT'f ?, "^ ""^ «"' - that Annabel opened her^^e^Ut:^: Ind" >egin," said Rose, her alarming. ' sort of party of ^g a deaf ear to 'eping to matters fresh and pretty, mt to dress more 3oi't are always » of our age." »» are going to ') upsetting her ' that made the was as plump ho slights her tnowand the ed, — you are 56 somebody,- ^ere so good once. seeing ' voice called nie the gh-l ^ing so like ' eyes, and OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 43 f Bmiled involuntarily as Phebe dropped a little courtesy in playful imitation of her old manner, and said quietly, — '' How do you do, Miss Bliss ? " , "Glad to see you back. Miss Moore," answered 4 Annabel, shaking hands in a way that settled the ques- " tion of Phebe's place in her mind for ever ; for the i stout damsel had a kind heart in spite of a weak head, and was really fond of Rose. It was evidently, « Love' ■ me, love my Phebe ;" so she made up her mind on the spot that Phebe was somebody, and that gave an air of romance even to the poor-house. She could not help staring a little, as she watched the two friends work together, and listened to their happy talk over each new treasure as it came to light ; for every look and word plainly showed that years of close companionship had made them very dear to one another. It was pretty to see Rose try to do the . hardest part of any little job herself : still prettier to see Phebe circumvent her, and untie the hard knoti., fold the stiff papers, or lift the heavy trays with her own strong hands ; and prettiest of all to hear her say in a motherly tone, as she put Rose into an easy chair, — ^ " Now, my deary, sit and rest ; for you will have to see company all day, and I can't let you get tired out so early." "That is no reason why I should let you either. Call Jane to help or Til bob up again directly," 44 HOSE m BLOOM. answered Ro«iP «,;*i, avose, With a verv J.n 7 thority. ^^^^ ^^^l assumption of au- ••*^«■- feet „fiH;t:::!.::r"^'"'^ ''--'' 'h^ .-est of „3. I do ho" R ^°"' """ ^""'^'y *i"' said Annabel to l.erself .T , '""'' '«' "^"^ <>Pe," he said, ' | I more appro- OZD FRIENDS WITH NEW FA CES. 45 Pprinte quotation, I think. Does Annabel still pine for lyou?" asked Rose, recalling certain youthful jokes S>on the subject of unrequited affections. " Not a bit of it. Fun has cut me out, and the fair ^ Innabella will be Mrs. Tokio before the winter is over, if I 'm not much mistaken." ' " What, little Fun See ? How droll it seems to tthink of him grown up and married to Annabel of all people! She never said a wo, 1 about him ; but this accounts for her admirin^ pretty Chinese things, and bemg so interested ii. ...aton." " Little Fun is a great swell now, and much enam- cured of our fat friend, who will take to chopsticks whenever he says the word. I needn't ask how you do, cousin ; for you beat that/ Aurora all hollow in the way of color. I should have been up before, but I thought you 'd like a good rest after your voyage." "I was running a race with Jamie before nine o'clock. What were you doing, young man?" Sleeping I dreamed, love, dreamed. love, of thee,' " began Charlie ; but Rose cut him short by saying as reproachfully as she could, while the culprit stood re- gardmg her with placid satisfaction,— " You ought to have been up and at work like the rest of the boys. I felt like a drone in a hive of very busy bees, when I saw them all hurrying off to their business." "But, my dear girl, I've got no business. I'm 46 ^OSE m BLOOM. gentleman i„ a family and ,h?^' °"^'" *" "^ ""^ •"y 'ine," answered Cbal „ 'T' *" '"' '''^<" «•"'. an assumption T^:Z7 "" ^'^ '""'™"'-' oTC:r-^-----Co;^:rn:r " ^* "O"™. of course. I .i,„„,^ u "•an of leisure. You see i/i "^ '"'<■ e^-''^- ^'ave a« Archie does Wh t IT'"' "^ ''"""'P"'« «» the money, got plenty • Iwht ! ""' ^ ^""'' "^^"J "^ of the sofa, smlli„; arf " '^ "* "" '"« ' ^gaging „„,„„ ™^/ ;' »■■« cousin in the mdst -ean philosophy ^Z'rZ :7e "'' ''" '"^ ^P'' «P0"; but it v,as diffient ,! ""' "* ""^S'""** because he always dodged s„h ''T" '""* ^'''""^. f"" of cheery spLts, onf h ed'tlT"''' ■*"" ^^ ^ ' --who.toc:trX;-X"?:s OM. d do the ornamental ^ys ought to be one seems to be rather S for the character, E^gance which would nkling eyes had not ^ in our family, I >"d air she always ?atory to the name have said gentle- t my principles to »se ? Don't need njoy it, and keep 5 cheerful people f woe." proposition, espe- 'nan, who looked «s he sat on the - 'in in the most ell that the Epi- ne to begin life with Charlie, cts, and was so 'en the sort of lef actor, 'ng things that though I gtiji OLD FRIENDS WITH NE W FA CES. 47 .^hink I'm right," she said gravely. «^Mac likes to idle as well as you; but he is not going to do it be ;r\t^--^^'«^^^^orhimt^friLa::yht t^me. He ,s gomg to study a profession like a wise hoy; though he would much prefer to live among h kloved books, or ride his hobbies in peace." " "That's all very well for Aim, because he doesn't #are for society, and may as well be studying medicine |1 nii^ty philosophers and old-fashioned poets " an •wered Charlie, with a shrug which plainl/e IsTd »is opinion of Mac. cApreesea SwT''^ '\ r^'^ philosophers, like Socrates and ^ tot!e, and old-fashioned poets, like Shakspeare and #^~,^re not safer c<>„pa„, for him to i^ep . ' liie rn„l^ u y , ^'"*' ^^^"* ^'^^ oats ; for We HteCr,::'7,--f-. »^ had' no. pleasant. ^ ^o-- '» '°«g « seemed unusually I But Charlie changed the subject skilfully by ex drnming with an anxious expression,- ^ ^ ArthatVw :/°" "?""^ '" "« "■'^ A""' Jane; »r that s just the way she comes dov™ on me when -.•i:t;hri!o;ri::i:^*"'^^*^^'^^^^^^^^^^^ The fear of being disagreeable is a i^eat h..„b.., ^ ; .=n, as this artful young man well "knew, and Ro^ ■^m 48 ROSE IN BLOOM, fell into the trap at once • for Annf t which l„„„ed in the J, oornor ^^"'"" ""S'^' a Yani^eo trick of Im;''!''''" ^''^"^"' "> ""^ another. "^m^S to one question with twldtni" vTlI'r " """"f"-"''" and Rose ...ie% that ::::ritt7"' ""' ''^ ^'"-^ "°^» inl!rpti;;:r:7^ f^.-.' iaa„ba,itt,e then, and poke abt/!.?"'"""'' *'''"'' "-"^ ""d comes on." ' ""^ ''"*°^ -"» '"e artistic fit "How is the music?" "Moreflourisliing. I don't n.o„.- a good deal i„ eompt/ Set „',,"'?''• ''"' ""« and went troubadourinLun. "'^ ''' ™'""'^■•• 'ike it, and it 's jolly amo„T,H /.T ''^'" """<' §=* « . J""^ among the fellows." ^^ Are you studying any thing?" biJS.ok:;:;:;r':°tr"^-'''e.-.ood, semi-occasionnllf whTT *** * ""•" »* ««>•' But I doubt if; 7: " r """^ "' p^-"'» -'■"<'''■ ^-•.i^rearVi^A^rLirinZt^r-"^'''' g-ted t,.at he sometimes Zued ^S'oiZT of legal knowledge. 'iimseit of this bit I J. OM. It Jane was far from not help respecting nting?" she asked f Fra AngeJico anff el ^ery like you about ho seemed to have one question with liment," and Rose ^ the -icture more no! I daub a little > sketch now and len the artistic fit 36 much, but sing Jitar last summer, t style. The girls ly table, — good, 3 a turn at them >r parents chide, what 'a allybi' arlie's eye sug- iself of this bit OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 49 " What do you do then ; » f " ^t "T^"'' ^ '"J"^ "^y'^^^' Private theatricals iave been the rasre of late anri T k„ ""^'iincaia «»,„♦ T • , ' ^ ^ ^^^® won such laurels fcl„~^ tM„. 0, .aop«„g .,e .age as ^y p.t ^ "^ea»yl" cried Rose, alarmed. \ " Why not ? if I ,nw5^ go to work isn'f tKof •8 any thing ? » ' ''' * *^^* ^« S^^d ^' Not without more talent than I think you possess r^hgemus onecan do anything: without it one hd •etter let the stage alone." _ "There's a quencher for the be an M.D.." crii.fl rto.i- , trying Words. ^' ""'"'• "^"'^d by her ■ " It is respectable, at all events ; and I 'd rither >.„ •eeond-rate doctor th.an a Second-rate actor Bu/ i W. you don't mean it, and only say so to friX |a.e, the aunts hold nptheirt::;;:^^;™ t general panic ensues. Then I mag„.a„ilX pr 1 "e not to disgrace the family ; and in the fi,.c. I ! I ratitude the dear souls agre'e 'to ev y tin; 7:1 fe ce ^„, J ^^ ^_^ ^^ wa/reioifing : ' " Just the way you used to threaten to ru^ o« .« !.% if your mother objected to acy of your whims. 50 ROSE m BLOOM. J^ck of all trades and master of none.' " o«o partiir , ;iT : ;;'"^ -^^^'^ ^°- - after year. Peonle ^f " % ^ """"^ "* " >■«■•"■ row and taJlt °' ""^.'-^^^ S^' «» ''^"oedly „ar. is the thing and Ihe „ ? ' """ *""""• ^""•- wide tield i; thf en ■ . """ ^"'^ '^ '•""Si-S »ver a "ciu IS the easiest to acmiirp +v.« u i- have and the „„3t sueeessfri " 'he end u' '" rate, it i. the kind I ,ike, and the only kind I nt""I to bother myself about " ^ "'"'"' cCrh^irr'h^tdTdr "^ "'- Kontly .arbled the chorns o'TX ri'f t' expressed his views of Hfe better than'he ool^dTj' " " While our rosy fillets si -d Blushes o'er each fervid Lead, I^'^,77'*«»P«ndmai.ya8miIo -I lie festal moments we beguile." " Some of my.saints here were people of nn -^ the; L^d htr trt: c "- '-'"" -"' ^-^ u Ti • • ^^"i»te, 6t. i^rancis, among them ■Ihis IS more to mv tastP Tk ^ ^'''^^- T^ose worn-out, cadav- nr. !t, though you are in projects once, Char- ented with beinjr a 3ne.'» brought wisdom; g myself down to ? away at it year t so deucedly nar- th them. Culture by ranging over a "> f^e handiest to the end. At any nly kind I intend loothed his brow, nd, leaning back, ege song, as if it a he could : — smile pie of one idea; sful in a worldly oved and canon- d been turning table, and, just mong them, v^orn-out, cadav- OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. ■ 51 *rou^ fellows give me the blues; but here 's a .. .1 Inanly saint, who takes things easv an7^ ^ . e goes along, without howlfnV e'r his oT '"' " tnaking other people miseraWe "^ ZZ'T'' Z Ibeirs." And Charlie laid n l. 1 ^ "" ^^ Reside the brown-frol^lL'^"'^^"^^ ''' ^-^in Iscetic with hia crucifix o "^ '° ">' , « tbe knight, though she said thoughtfulh^ ■ant him? ^ ^"" ^^^ «'• ^f^^in, if yo„ let me have her Sh. k°,T^ "^ «"™' '^ y^" 'U *'il i.a, to ':;,.? goorcar' "!'' "'''"™^> ^"'' te. turninK to the .l.r . f ''">»'«=." answered Char- I;- in itflld "''• ''"''^'^^'' "g-. ^i'h the " With all my heart, and any others that you like. 52 HOSE IN BLOOM. Choose some for your mother, and give them to her with my love." So Charlie sat down beside Rose to turn and talk over the pictures for a long and j.Ieasant hour. But when they went away to lunch, if there had been anv one to observe so small but significant a trifle, gooi St Francis lay face downward behind the sofa, while gallant St. Martin stood erect upon the chimney-piece CHAPTER III. MJSS CAMPBELL. ^Yy rilLE the travellers unpack their trunks, we will pick up, as briefly as possible, the dropped stitches in the little romance we are weavincr Rose's life had been a very busy and quiet^one for the four year, following the May-day when she made her choice. Study, exercise, house-work, and many wholesome pleasures, kept her a happy, hearty creat- ure, yearly growing in womanly graces, yet always preserving the innocent freshness girls lose so soon when too early sent upon the world's stage, and given a part to play. ^ ^ Not a remarkably gifted girl in any way, and far from perfect; full of all manner of youthful whims ^ give them to her e to turn and talk Icasant hour. But here had been any cant a trifle, good ind the sofa, while the chimney-piece. MISS CAMPBELL. LL. }ir trunks, we will ble, the dropped * weaving. id quiet one for ■ when she made TOrk, and many py, hearty crea^ ces, yet always ■Is lose so soon stage, and given y way, and far routhful whims S3 , to think all hves as safe and sweet as her own: and when want or pain appealed to her, the tender heart ^ oversowed with a remo.eful charity, which^^^^ ,.ts almndance recklessly. Yet, with all herl™^ ,iniperfe<.ions, the npright nature of the ehih^k^ W desires chn.bing toward the jnst and pure and trne as flowers struggle to the light; and tie woman's s'o' beuer «nishing o« than anj' ^tl tZTj Vaited for so lon^ ^^ ^^Jom the lover she had °^ «^ J«"g- Youth seemed to come back in a n ystenous way to touch the dead face wit lo " loveliness, and all the romance of her past Z ^ round her memory TTnUt ^ ^'^^^^^ iiemory. Unlike most aged women hp,. friends were amnno. +1,^ . & " vvumcn, ner When this was over, poor A„nf pi * »st without her llfp 1 T ^"^^ '^^'"^^ «« lot leave h?r ITu T ''''' ^^^ ^'^ ^^'^ fwed by the ;/. ^'''^^^^ ^^^^ '''' ^^^t she |wea Dy the tender service which n-.r-^ f • - #ords. But Aunt PI . t^ conuorts without ' Aunt Plenty, having lived for others all iH I I !! J iw 64 i2as^ AV BLOOM. her days, 8oon rebellecl. against this willing sacrifice Boon found strength in her own sincere piety, solace in cheerful occupation, and amusement in nursing Aunt Myra, who was a capital patient, as she never died and never got well. So, at last, the moment came when, with free minds the travellers could set out; and on Rose's eighteenth' birthr ,, with Uncle Alec and the faithful Phebe, she sailed away to see and study the big, beautiful world, which lies ready for us all, if we only know how to use and to enjoy it. Phebe was set to studying music in the best schools- and, while she trained her lovely voice with happy industry. Rose and her uncle roamed about in the most delightful way, till two years were gone like a dream, and those at home clamored for their return Back they came, and now the heiress must make ready to take her place; for at twenty-one she came into possession of the fortune she had been trying, to learn how to use well. Great plans fermented in\er brain ; for, though the heart was as generous as ever, time had taught her prudence, and observation shown her that the wisest charity is that which helps the poor to help themselves. Dr. Alec found it a little difficult to restrain the ardor of this young philanthropist, who wanted to begin at once to endow hospitals, build homes, adopt children, and befriend all mankind. " Take a little time to look about you an «iivi gut your m is willing sacrifice, ncere piety, solace ^raent in nursing lent, as she never 1, with free minds, Rose's eighteenth iiithful Phebe, she f, beautiful world, ily know how to the best schools ; ^oice with happy led about in the *vere gone like a )r their return. iress must make ity-one she came d been trying to fermented in her generous as ever, 'servation shown h helps the poor to restrain the who wanted to Id homes, adopt ii aHu. get your MISS CAMPBELL. 66 bennngs, child ; for the uorld you have been living in 18 a much simpler, honoster one than th^Tt you are now I to enter. Test yourself a bit, and see if the oM ways I seem best after all ; for you are old enon..h ^ . ^Mde I and wise enough to discover, what is for° ,'our t, , pst good, I hope," he said, trying to feel read. i. i<.t tije bird escape from under his wing, and m. ^ c. LMle jf flights alone. I "Now, uncle, I 'm very much afraid y„„ are goin,. to l,e d,,..,,,,,o,„ted in me," answered Kose, with u„! ...sual hesitation, yet a very strong desire visible in her eyes, "lou like to have me quite honest, and I've learned to toll yon all my foolish thoughts, so I'll speak out, and if you find my wish very wrong and Bdly, please say so; for I don't want you to ealt mo off ent,rely, though I an, grown up. You say w,it « l.t.Ie, test myself, and try if the oU ways are be Isho,d„ke,odoth.at;a„de.a„Ii„.Ae:t:rwy to^whde," she added, as her uncle's face grew r He ,oas disappointed ; yet aeknowIedm which she was Jden wish to try iponsibilities, and a like, only take your gayety, and ' is possible," he to speak cheer- i to be a regular ' it is like. You d of fashionable t; and here at rts of pleasant io, if you won't iry it." Kew Year is Every one is :ay in spite of mgrateful and 'd a reason to e months may when we are MISS CAMPBELL. 67 « Do you think it will intoxicate me ? " " We shall see, my dear." ' !f '7^ ^'^'! '"'""' K°- ".arched, way; looking as Ji she had take, a pledge of some .or, and meant to It was a great relief to the public mind when it became known that Miss Campbell was really coming out at last, and invitations to Aunt Plenty's party were promptly accepted. Aunt Clara was much dit appomted about the grand ball she had planned Zt E«se stood firm, and the dear old lady had her'wa' about every thing. ^ ""^ The consequence was a delightfully informal gather. ms of fnends to w Jcome the travellers home J„,t a good, old-fashioned, hospitable house-w.arml. so' .mp e, cordial, and genuine that those who cam°e to crmc.se remamed to enjoy, and many ownertho charm they could neither describe nor i Jtate. JIuch curiosity was felt about Phebe, and much gossip went on behind fans that evening; Z Those Cll !T '"'™^'"»''J i" the handsome younl >oman who bore herself with such quiet dignity a„I charmed them all with her fine voice. "S'rella ha urned out a princess." was the general verdic ^nd Kose enioved the littio ■ ^ ""^ veidict : the hnH "fy<=<»tl"' >i«lo sensation immensely; for »he had had many battles to fight for her Phebe Sz::r' """"^ '''-' -' "- >'" ^'^''^- - ROSE IN BLOOM. Miss Campbell herself was in great demand, and did the honors so prettily that even Miss Bliss foro-ave her for her sad neglect of Worth; though she shook her head over the white gowns, just alike except that rhebe wore crimson and Rose blue trimmings. The girls swarmed eagerly round their "recovered friend ; for Rose had been a favorite before she went away, and found her throne waiting for her now. The young men privately pronounced Phebe the hand somest, - « But^then you know there 's neither family nor money; so it's no use." Phebe, therefore, was admired as one of the ornamental properties belonging, to the house, and let respectfully alone. '" But bonny Rose was "all right," as these amiable youths expressed it; and many a wistful eye followed the bright head as it flitted about the rooms, as if it were a second Golden Fleece to be won with diffi- culty; for stalwart kinsmen hedged it round, and watchful aunts kept guard. Little wonder that the girl found her new world an enchanting one, and that her first sip of pleasure rather went to her head ; ^ ,. everybody welcomed and smiled on her, flattered and praised, whispered agree- able prophecies in her ear, and looked the complinrents and congratulations they dared not, utter, till she felt as If she must have left her old self somewhere abroad, and^suddenly become a new and wonderfully gifted "It is very nice, uncle; and I'm not .ure that I !at demand, and liss Bliss forgave though she shook like except that nimings. their recovered before she wont r her now. The liebe the hand- s neither family , therefore, was erties belonjrino^ i these amiable il eye followed rooms, as if it won with diffi- it round, and ler new world iip of pleasure welcomed and lispered agree- e compliments r, till she felt where abroad, erfully gifted t bure that I M2SS CAMPBELL. 59 mayn't want another three months of it when the first are gone," she whispered to Dr. Alec, as he stood watchmg the dance she was leading with 0,1' the long hall after supper. " Steady, my lass, steady; and remember that you re not really a butterfly, but a mortal girl with a bead that will ache to-morrow," he answered, w^ h n^ the flushed and smiling face before hiiq " --:'::;: :"/;:: r2:"i -rrT "' P .ne. as she gathered „p her fleec, skins iTke a w liite b.i-d pluming itself for flight. ' " I '" "sk your opinion about U.at at two 4.m," be^an hor uncle, with a warning nod ' ^ c.t7M:e'':h:r''^''"^^^'"'°»"'''p-->«-^ "It's no use, Alec: train a girl as wisely as vou c oose she will break loose when the tin,e coLt IZ ifor "ti! th' ■""" " """"'^ "^ '"« "-' «vo lou" ; Po, t.s their nature to,"' said Uncle Mac keeoinJ ^"..e to the ,„usic as if he would not rnind ZiZZ' or a bit of pleasure himself. ^ ' "My girl shall taste and try; but, unless I'm much L:T^, ^ .'' '''=° "> ■<"«* it." ™3wered the dctor ,..„^a l.ope.„, smile o„ his lips, but an anxious look in 11 LliI 60 ROSE IN BLOOM. "She will come out all right, — bless her heart ! so let her sow her innocent wild oats and enjoy herself till she is ready to settle do /n. I wish all our young folks v/ere likely to have as small a crop, and get through as safely as she will," , Jded Uncle Mac, with a shake of the head, as he glanced at some of the young men revolving before him. "Nothing amiss with your lads, I hope?" "No, thank heaven ! So far 1 've had little trouble with -^ither; though Mac is an odd stick, and Steve a puppy. I don't complain ; for both will outgrow that sort of thing, and are good fellows at heart, thanks to their mother. But Clara's boy is in a bad way ; and she will spoil him as a man as she has as a boy, if his father doesn't interfere." "I told brother Stephen all about him when I was in Calcutta last year, and he wrote to the boy; but Clara has got no end of plans in her head, and so she insisted on keeping Charlie a year longer when his father ordered him oa to India," replied the doctor, as they walked away. "It is too late to 'order:' Charlie is a man now, and Stephen will find that he has been too easy with him all these years. Poor fellow, it has been hard lines for him, and is likely to be harder, I fancy, unless he comes home and straightens things out." "He won't do that if he can helplt ; for he has lost all his energy liv.ng in that climate, and hates worry more than ever: so you can imagine what an effort it would be to manage a foolish woman and'a headstrono- to 1 %i ^^SS CAMPBELL. IS her he«art ! so enjoy herself till our young folks tnd get through c, with a shake the young men pe?" i little trouble !k, and Steve a 1 outgrow that eart, thanks to bad way ; and 3 a boy, if his I when I was in >oy; but Clara so she insisted father ordered 8 they walked s a man now, too easy with las been hard [ fancy, unless t." ■or he has lost i hates worry t an effort it a headstrong 61 boy. We must lend a hand Mno n ^ j poor old Steve." ' '""^ ^^ ^'^^ ^e«t for " The best we can do for tho ua • . settle him „. soon a, poj^ f" '"' '^ '» '^"y -d be;?t^"::^'';r;r''-^-^--^." « A ^ ^"^er, even at twenty-three." I kiiully returning ♦„ ' "PP™^"' ■" hw voice. Then. inquiring ";f;; '': 'r""' '•^"p'"' ""^ -»' «« .:,: certain ^aUe.Uan;;;..™''''^ '" ^'""'^ ™- "* » "Decidedly not. My girl m„,t have t be,, ., tiara's tra nino- wnniri -i "*^^*' ^"^ Alec, quickly.^ ' " '"^'^'" ^"^^^^^ ^'•. " ^«t we shall find it hard to let our littl. p out of thefamiJi. tt "*^^ ^^se go been^el bin™?:""? """"'' ""' "" >■!» ^^ The brot;™fS::;:t:j::'x°"f ^«^"-t..d... H ~o-= yet B^liteT^, ?:■'-'-- #> »y man whom I did not klTi^"" '""' "P It k of no ,,,e fn,. . r "^ *"'• t™^' entirelv. f '''°"'^'»P''"'if'>'-»he must choose f^; 62 ROSE IN BLOOM, l! \l herself : yet I do wish we could keep her among us, and give one of our boys a wife worth h-nhio-." "We must; so nevermind your theories, but devote yourself to testing our elder lads, and making one A them a h:.]>py fellow. All'are heart-whole, I believe, and, thoi gii young still for this sort of thing, we caa be gently shaping matters ior them, ince no one knows how soon the moment loay come. My faith ! it is like living in a powder-mili ./j be among a lot of young folks now-a-days. x\ll looks as calm as possible, till a sudden spark produces iin explosion, and heaven only knows where we find ourselves after it is over." And Uncle Mac sat himself comfortably down to seiile Rose's fate ; while the doctor paced the room, pluckmg at his beard and knitting his brows, as if he found it hard to see his way. « Yes, Archie is a good fellow," he said, answering the question he had ignored before. "An upright, Kteady, intelligent lad, who will make an excellent husband, if he ever finds out that he has a heart. I suppose I 'm an old fool, but I do like a little more romance in a young man than he seems to have ; more warmth and enthusiasm, you know. Bless the boy! he might be forty instead of three or four and twenty: he 's so sober, calm, and cool. I 'm younger now than he is, and could go a-wooing like a Romeo if I had any heart to offer a woman." The doctor looked rather cuamefaced as he spol j. and his brother burst out laughing, — I her among us, •rth hnvinor." )ries, but devote I making one of r^hole, I believe, f thing, we can ;e no one knows faith ! it is like a lot of young 1 possible, till a id heaven only is over." •tably down to aced the room, brows, as if he said, answering "An upright, e an excellent las a heart. I 3 a little more to have ; more 31es8 the boy I ir and twenty: nger now than eo if I had any i as he spol ?. MISS CAMPBELL. 53 « See here, Alec, it 's a pity so much romance and ^excellence as yours should be lost ; so why don't vou .^tth^. young fellows an example, and go a-woJng yourself Jessie has been wondering how you have -|HMgod to keep from failing i„ love with Phebo Mih^s time; and Clara is quite sure that you only lilted m she was safe under Aunt Plenty's wing to Offer yourself m the good old-fashioned style " "I!" and the doctor stood aghast at the mere idea- then he gave a resigned sort of sigh and added like a martyr «If those dear women would let me alone, I'd hank them for ever. Put the idea out of their m nds for heaven's sake, Mac, or I shall be having that poor g^rl mmg at my head, and her comfort destroyed Zl ^ a fine creature, and I'm proud of her; but s e |e.rves a better lot than to be tied to an ^Id f^lw ike me, whose only merit is his fidelity » 1 "As you please, I was only joking," and Uncle Mac aropped the subject with secret relief ; for the excel fcnt man thought a good deal of famii;, andtad b 1" .^ther worned at the hints of the ladies. After" foment^, sdence, he returned to a former topic, wLh fas rathe, a pet plan of his. «I don't 'hi k you #0 Archie justice, Alec. You don't know him as ire 1 a« I do; but you '11 find that he has heart e :ugb ^der his cool, cjuiet manner. I Ve grown v^ >u ould do better for Rose thr . to give her tc I d8on," answered xclaimed Uncle a swan, you re- the boy, because as a green apple y needs time to ital specimen of never do at all. hing to be proud e for our Rose. je her property le man for that, •r. Alec, impetu- md I don't care f it is going to ^.c\a.rp. tn vnii T I MISS CAMPBELL. 65 dreaded the thought of this time so „„,ch that I 've kept her away as long as I eould, and trembled when- ever a young fellow joined us while we were abroad. Hud one or two narrow escapes, and now I 'm in for «, •■-« you ean see by to-uight's .success,' as Clara calls' "Come, eome, don't be anxious; take Archie and .ettle .t right „p safely and happily. That 's ml ad- t.ce, and you -11 find it sound," replied the elder eon- •p.rator, hke oue having experience. tt to the ststers. We are a couple of old fools to be »a.c „,akmg,osoon; but I see what is before me .nd ,t s a comfort to free my mind to some one." ' So ,t ,s. Depend on me ; not a breath even to inne," answered Uncle Mae, with a hearty shake and » sympathetic sl.ap on the shoulder " Why, wh.,t dark and awfnl secrets are going on kere ? Is ,t a Freemasons' Lodnt botl) of you Aunt Plenty begs ;i (Innco, and I 'ni ! you, sir, because d nil. So, please ioxi, Uncle Alec, enjoy it with you ears ago, she said, ;'Ah, those were times worth having! Are you going in for much of this sort of thing, Rose? ''he ftsked with a disapproving glance at the dancers. About three months of it, I think " •■Ros^my dear, you really must take that fellow m hand before he ge,., to be ,,„ito a bear. Since yol ^a- beeu gone, he has lived i„ his books, and got on * finely that we have let him alone, ti.ough Z I t«. groans over his manners. Polish him up a ^.t, 1 beg of you; for it is high time he mended his 68 ROSE IN BLOOM. odd ways, and did justice to tlie fine gifts he hides beliind them," said Uncle Mac, scandalized at the bluntness of his son. "I know my rhestnut-bnrr too well to mind his prickles. But others do not ; so I will tike him in hand and make him a credit to the family," answered Rose, readily. " Take Archie for your model : he 's one of a thou- sand ; and the girl who gets him gets a prize I do assure you," added Uncle Mac, who found match- making to his taste, and thought that closing remark a deep one. " Oh me, how tired I am ! » cried Rose, dropping into a chair as the last carriage rolled away, somewhere between one and two. "What is your opinion now, Miss Campbell?" asked the doctor, addressing her for the first time by the name which had been uttered so often that night. " My opinion is that Miss Campbell is likely to have a gay life if she goes on as she has begun ; and that she finds it very delightful so far," answered the girl, with lips still smiling from their first taste of what the world calls pleasure. fine gifts he hides candalized at the «^ell to mind his \cill t ike him in family," answered 's one of a thou- ^ets a prize I do lio found match- it closing remark i Rose, dropping away, somewhere [iss Campbell ? " the first time by jften that night, is likely to have begun ; and that nswered the girl, taste of what the THORNS AMONG THE ROSES. 69 CIIArTEE IV. THORNS AMONG THE ROSES. OR a time every thing went smoothly, and Rose ,, was a happy gi.-l ; for the world seemed a beautiful .*nd friendly place, and the fulfilment of her brightest dreams appeared to be a possibility. Of course, this could not last, and disappointment was inevitable- because yoimg eyes look for a Paradise, and weep' ^hen they find a work-a-day world, which seems fuU care and trouble, till one learns to gladden and glorify It with high thoughts and holy llvinc ^ Those who loved her waited anxiously for°the dis- aiuMon which must come in spite of all their cherish- fcg, ior, till now. Rose had been so busy with her ^acbes travels, and home duties, that she knew very ^ble hfe. Birth and fortune placed her where she ould not well escape some of them ; and Doctor 1^ . inowing t at experience is the best teacher, wTsely left her to learn this lesson as she must many Inotner devoutly hopmg that it would not be a hard one October and November passed rapidly; and Christ- Sr '' 'r'""'-^" ''- --^ Stories, horned tatherrngs, and good wishes. I Rose sat in her own little sanctum, nnpnir^^ro^ ^h. rior, busily p.eparing gifts... the ai;r:C:^ 70 ROSE m BLOOM. I^ g» P -e ^ou^ So unusual was this expression that it struck t?hit el" ; "'™ '"• ""' '"■°"S>" - --i"- ' ot it/::'s^d:7r;L°------- +1, X 1 , •'^ J,iove r he asked, cominff nn ir. the table strewn with i-ihhnn io„ -. . ^ ^ "Yes unol. o ^^^"' ^^'^""'^"^^ colored papers. „, '' "ncle, as many as you please." The face brightened with sudden sunshine • both hands were nnf nnf +^ • , ''"lut, , ootn glove- and r ™'™ "'" '*'''*"'y ''riving- My Lady Bountiful is hard at work, I see Can I heJp.n»yway.M. asked, glancing;, the- dS:; for those yon love, and who love you V she adlT ' -;w,.., had a slight tremor i^it as st:2;:: iicler as the I' commode , which she pt to be a fie worked, he drawer le gift pre- b it struck sious look untenance i work to 'ing up to 'd papers. fie; both driving. ectionate ^eet. . Can I display s full of d to be. , except •ed, in a red the riWSArs AMONG THE ROSES. 71 'pretties 'are for dear fnon^ ^'"'''^ many." V '"'''^'^ -^^^ «^"«t ha^■e a great "■f thought they were friends • bnf Tf i them. c not. d that, thjti ^o" 1. V ''^''"^ '^' ^^^'^^•' --^ ^^'t the old o.,ove &o» he said, sitting donm beside her with W «ympat]ietic air. ^^' ^"' "^^«* But she held the glove fast, saying en.vorlv " Xr. I love to do thisf r r^r. u I , ^'^a^^^^' 'iVo,no, you While I te ,;,t Vw. ■" " ' "°'"" '""'^ ^' -•en 'a cloud' If , , ' ": ' *"'' ^T"'''''"- '■■'"■'>' I 'vo tone i„ h«- voice Is' : '",' "'" ""«'" » «-™«l '-'»M.o.i.e;;:K/;o::::;KrT..'™'^^"'''^-'''^ mo n sweet, „.. „ss,„.e ,„e .hat I shall be t e b'L fo. t, as you used to do whea I took ,„edici„e " ----..o;!;;;:-:f-t;--:-^^ e a .t fo,. ,„e, but fo- what 1 can ,ivc then, fa alos ,ae unhappy, because I was so glad and l-'l car that i 72 i nOSE IN BLOOM. proud to be liked. I do wish I hadn't a penny in the world, then I sliould knoAv who my true friends were." " Poor little lass ! she has found out that all that glitters is not gold, and the dis-illusion has begun," said the doctor to himself, adding' aloud, smiling yet pitiful, "And so all the pleasure is gone out of the pretty gifts, and Christmas is a failure ? " " Oh, no ! not for those whom nothing can make me doubt. It is sweeter than ever to make these things, because my heart is in every stitch ; and I know that, poor as they are, they will be dear to jou, Aunty Plen, Aunt Jessie, Phebe, and the boys." She opened a drawer where lay a pile of pretty gifts, wrought with loving care by her own hands ; touching them tenderly as she spoke, and patting the sailor's knot of blue ribbon on one fat parcel with a smile that told how unshakable her faith in some one was. "But these,''^ she said, pulling open another drawer, and tossing over its gay contents with an air half sad, half scornful, " these I bouffht and give because they are expected. 2Viese people only care for a rich gift, not one bit for the giver, whom they will secretly abuse if she is not as generous as they expect. How ccm I enjoy that sort of thing, uncle ?" "You cannot; but perhaps you do some of them injustice, my dear. Don't let the envy or selfishness of a few poison your faith in all. Are you sure that noii3 of these girls care for you ? " he asked, reading a name here and there on the parcels scattered about. •mmmmmtitKMmumtmimmtllUlM THORNS AMONG THE ROSES. 73 ny in the els were." all that I begun," iling yet Lt of the make me e things, low that, ity Plen, tty gifts, touching ! sailor's a smile one was. drawer, lalf sad, ise they ich gift, secretly '. How )f them llishness ire that ;ading a bout. " I 'm afraid I am. You see I heard severnl talking together the other evening at Annabel's, only a few words, but it hurt me very much ; for nearly every one was speculating on what I would give them, and hoping it would be something fine. ' She 's so rich she ought to be generous,' said one. ' I 've been perfectly devoted to her for weeks, and hope she won't forget it,' said another. ' If she doesn't give me some of her gloves, I 3hall think she 's very mean ; for she has heaps, and I tried on a pair in fun so she could see they fitted and taj^e a hint,' added a third. I did take the hint, you see ; " and liose opened a handsome box in which lay several pairs of her best gloves, with but- tons enough to satisfy the heart of the most covetous. « Plenty of silver paper and perfume, but not much love went into that bundle, I fancy?" and Dr. Alec could not help smiling at the disdainful little gesture with which Rose pushed away the box. " Not a particle, nor in most of these. I have given them what they wanted, and taken back the confidence and respect they didn't care for. It is wrongs I know ; but I can't bear to think all the seeming good-will and friendliness I 've been enjoying was insincere and for a purpose. That 's not the way jT treat people." « I am sure of it. T- j things for what they are worth, dear, and try to find the wheat among the tares ; for there is plenty if one knows how to look. Is that all the trouble ? " " No, sir, that is the lightest part of it. I shall soon 74 h'i !> J.1 ROSE IN BLOOM. get ever my disappointment in these girls, and take them for what they are worth as you advise; but bemg deceived in them makes me suspicious of others and that is liateful. If I cannot trust people, I 'd rather keep by myself and be happy. I do detest manoeuvring and underhand plots and plans!" Rose spoke petulantly, and twitched her silk till it broke; while regret seemed to give place to an-er as she spoke. - ^ " There is evidently another thorn pricking. Let us have it out, and then 'I'll kiss thej^lace to make it well,' as I used to do when I tookThe splinters from • the fingers you are pricking so unmercifully," said the doctor, anxious to relieve his pet patient as soon as possible. Rose laughed, but the color deepened in her cheeks as she answered with a pretty mixtui-e of maidenly shyness and natural candor. " Aunt Clara worries me by warning me against half tlie young men I meet, and insisting that they only want my money, l^ow that is dreadful, and I won't hsten : but I can't help thinking of it scmietimes ; for they are very kind to me, and I 'm not vain enough to think It is my beauty. I suppose I am foolish, but I do like to feel that I am something beside an heiress " The little quiver was in Rose's voice again a. she ended ; and Dr. Alec gave a quick sigh as he looked at the downcast face so full of the perplexity ino-enu- ous spirits feel when doi ' " " doubt first mars their faith. uuu I, and take Ivise ; but 5 of others, eoplc, I'd do detest IS! t" silk till it o anger as ?. Let ns 3 make it iters from " said the 3 soon as >r cheeks, maidenly ainst half hey only I won't nies; for nough to sh, but I heiress." ti as she ' looked ingenu- litli. uiiu I I THORNS AMONG THE ROSES. 75 dims the innocent beliefs still left from childhood. He had been expecting this, and knew that what the girl just began to perceive and try modestly to tell, had long ago been plain to worldlier eyes. The heiress was the attraction to most of the young men whom she met. Good fellows enough, but educated, as nearly all are now-a-days, to believe that girls with beauty or money are brought to market to sell or buy as 'the case may be. Kose could purchase any thing she liked, as she combmed both a^antages ; and was soon surrounded by many admirers, each striving to secure the prize. Not bemg trained to believe that the only end and aim of a woman's life was a good match, she was a little disturbed, when the first pleasing excitement was . over, to discover that her fortune was her chief attrac- tion. I* was impossible for her to help seeing, hearing guessing this from a significant glance, a stray word, a slight hint here and there ; and the quick instinct of a woman felt even before it understood the self-interest which chilled for her so many opening friendshii>s. In her eyes love was a very sacred thing, hardlv to be thought of till it came, reverently n-ceived, and cher- ished faithfully to the end. Thevefov. it is not strange that she shrunk from hear;.^ it flippantly discussed, and marriage treated as a bargain to be haggled over, with little thought of it. Inlgh duties great responsibilities, and tender joys. M:my thin-s 76 ROSE IX BLOOM. perplexed her, and sometimes a donbt »o«, she had believed and trusted made of all that till at sea without a co„,pas; ."for",!, '"""^ '""' ^'"' "^ " ;n.i.e the one si. W^n'ii .Ttl:: -,7 T dered wiuk it cha™,ed the novice """'■ .oomuehworiXwtlom ™ '"'"°'" ^"^"""'"S b. " You are something- besirlpc o« i. • know and love you • To ta^e 1 f '"'"'' '° *'°''' ^''''° f-t to the faith that' i i, ^ "T, ' '"^ =""■'' -"^ ""'-l ^or a„ these «.ingC.nd ,r;eve?ir„:tT T"^ donbt and avoid. Test ^^A t ' "^ true they come alon.- and I 1 '^ """' ""'' "■°"'^» '''^ and experienc wiiUee, "7" ^™^^'--' '-«-t, he said, with a Jo ec, ""^ ""^ "'^'"ke," with a gvont cactu ,i ,,:.,'" 'T"™ """■ «■'"'- Kitty £„,„,, „„, ', :t" :, ■■ f °°'- '^»- ■^" "-^ . to keep sober; so he has h !l "ni'ossiWe rri , *■ "•"''"1 rae ever siiioe " The doctor's "Ilai ),o i" Rose joined hi,,,, fori, .'™ S°°'' '° '"=•■>■•' "nd episodes se,.i„„ ;,t^^. :: 2:-^"'^ «° -=-«. these the,„ from abs«,,ii;y. " ''""""''" ''"'eemed on'lfr^TieXrtT;:""; °' "^^^--^ -- so don't expeet to see ,i , '"' "" *'"> ^■"'■^es = -Hn, hi„.ie,ri ;::: ^ -^ i-:;' "- ^^"-^. ^^ -„. «'- one «.h„ would n.aJl.e t.jr' f .="' -^ oni-posingi„,he„idd,e ri l''1r no.;^rIf„,,„,,,„,,,^,^_JJ™-..ndthe. 'at I deserved fc Jialf .1 dozen liat accounted ers, as if she it," observed I'e 's no need s." lees in Mrs. assion man- ^egs all the impossible 36." Jiear, and gard these redeemed and went ;1 red hair be verses : >w, is con- •f all was t insisted I seldom but that 'or beinar "1 them TIIOnNH AMONG TUB HOSES. 79 as I/' ""r- ""/" •'''"' '""■ """0- '-ting "florco" to hston to a tledanfinn t,„; 1- , =.'" "oiigocl a lover. "'"•"'"t'°". t«'u-hng about on the arm of -i".«>.t..orgHe™afo:hi:„A; s^^^^ the tonderest respect." a m ;,tt "; " '""^' " '' "■™"">ta.% sahuing "Bo you want another three month., of this?" 1 11 tell yon on x\e"«--■ "><>•» -eiuining to her work. "I>et nte hcl,,. You do u,,, and I'll direct. Have a secretary; do no., and see what a co.nfort it 111 be," proposed Charlie, who could turn his hand to I " I 'd r.,ther finish this myself, but yon may answer he notes, f you will. Just regrets to all but two or ;trwhict"' '"^ " --.0...0 along, and nite"; ■ •iin- s.a aox\n at the writing !! 'if 84 ROSE IN BLOOM. table with alacrity ; for these hours in the little room were his best and liappiest. " Oi-der is heaven's first law, and the view a lovely one, but I don't see any note-paper," he added, open- ing the desk and surveying its contents with interest. "Right-hand drawer: violet monogram for the notes; plain paper for the business letter. I'll see to that, though," answered Rose, trying to decide whether Annabel or Eumia should have the laced handkerchief. " Confiding creature ! Suppose I open the wrong drawer, and come upon the tender secrets of your soul?" continued the new secretary, rummaging out the delicate note-paper with masculine disregard of order. " I haven't got any," answered Rose, demurely. "What, not one despairing scrawl, one cherished miniature, one faded floweret, etc., etc. ? I can't be- lieve it, cousin," and he shook his head incredulously. " ;^f I had, I certainly should not show them to you, impertinent person ! There are a few little souvenirs in that desk, but nothing very sentimental or interest- ing." "How I'd like to see 'em! But I should never dare to ask," observed Charlie, peering over the top of the half-open lid with a most persuasive pair of eyes. "You m^y if you want to, but you'll be disap- pointed, Paul Pry. Lower left-hand drawer with the kev in it." PRINCE CHARMING. 85 " ' Angel of goodness, how shall T requite thee ? Interesting moment, with what palpitating emotions art thou fraught ! ' " and, quoting from the '•' Mysteries of Udolpho," he unlocked and opened the drawer with a tragic gesture. " Seven locks of hair in a box, all light ; for * here 's your straw color, your orange tawny, your French crown color, and your perfect yellow' Shakspeare. They look very familiar, and I fancy I know the heads they thatched." *• YeSi you all gave me one when I went away, you know ; and I carried them round the world with rae in that very box." " I wish the heads had gone too. Here 's a jolly little amber god, with- a gold ring in his back and a 7no8t balmy breath," continued Charlie, taking a long :;niff at the s^ent-bottle. " Uncle brought ma that long ago, and I 'm very fond of it." " This now looks suspicious, — a man's ring with a lotus cut on the stone and a note attached. I tremble as I asK, Who, when, and where ? " " A gentleman, on my birthday, in Calcutta " '• I breathe again : it was my sire ? " " Don't be absurd. Of course it was, and he did every thing to make my visit pleasant. I wish you 'd go and see him like a dutiful son, instead of idling here." "That's what Uncle Mac is eternally telling me; It f<- 'I .11 86 ROSE IN BLOOM. but I don't intend to be lectured into the tread-mill till I 've had my fling first," muttered Charlie, rebel- liously. " If you fling yourself in the wrong direction, you may find it hard to get back again)' began Rose, gravely. " No fear, if you look after me as you seem to have promised to do, judging by the thanks you get in this note. Poor old governor ! I should like to see him ; for it 's almost four years since he came home last, and he must be getting on." Charlie was the only one of the boys who ever called his father "governor:" perhaps bocnuso the others knew and loved their fathers, while he had seen so little of his thpt the less respectful name came more readily to his lips ; since the elder man seemed in truth a governor issuing requests or commands, which the younger too often neglected or resented. Long ago Rose had discovered that Uncle Stephen found home made so distasteful by his wife's devotion to society, that he preferred to exile himself, taking business as an excuse for his protracted absences. The girl was thinking of this, as she watched her cousin turn the ring about with a sudden sobriety which became him well ; and, believing that the mo- ment was propitious, she said earnestly, — « He is getting on. Dear Charlie, do think of duty more than pleasure in this case, and I'm sure you never will rem-et it." PlilNCE CHARMING. 87 " Do you want me to go ? " he asked quickly. " I think you ought." " And I think you 'd be much more charming if you wouldn't always be worrying about right and wrong ! Uncle Alec taught you that along with the rest of his queer notions." "I'm glad he did!" cried Rose, warmly; then checked herself, and said with a patient sort of sigh, "You know women always want the men they care for to be good, and can't help trying to make them so." " So they do ; and we ought to be a set of angels : but I 've a strong conviction that, if we were, the dear souls wouldn't like us lialf as well. Would they now?" asked Charlie, wdth an insinuating smile. " Perhaps not ; but that is dodging the point. Will you go?" persisted Hose, unwisely. '« No, I will not." That was sufficiently decided ; and an uncomfortable pause followed, during which Rose tied a knot unnec- essarily tight, and Charlie went on exploring the drawer with more energy than interest. " Why, here 's an old thing I gave you ages ago ! '' he suddenly exclaimed in a pleased tone, holding up a little agate heart on a faded blue ribbon. " Will you let me take away the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh ? " he asked, half in earnest, half in jest, touched by the little trinket and the recollections it awakened. \ ■ 88 11 ROSE IN BLOOM. " No, I will not," answered Rose, bluntly, nnich dis- pleased by the irreverent and audacious question. Charlie looked rather abashed for a moment ; but his natural light-hearted.iess made it easy for him to get the better of his own brief fits of waywardness, and put others in good humor with him and themselves " Now we are even : let 's drop the subject and start afresh, he said with irresistible affability, as he coolly put the little heart in his pocket, and prepared to shut the drawer. But something caught his eye, and ex- claiming, "What's this? what's this? "he snatched up a photograph which lay half under a pile of letters with foreign post-marks. " Oh ! I forgot that was there," said Rose, hastily " Who is the man ? " demanded Charlie, eying the good-looking countenance before him with a frown "That is the Honorable Gilbert iVIurry, who went up the Nile with us, and shot crocodiles and other small deer, being a mighty hunter, as I told you in my let- ter»," answered Rose gayly, though ill-pleased at the httle discovery just then ; for this had been one of the narrow escapes her uncle spoke of. "And they haven't eaten him yet, I infer from that pile of letters ? " said Charlie, jealously. " I hope not. His sister did not mention it when she wrote last." "Ah! then she is your correspondent? Sisters are dangerous things sometimes." And Charlie eyed the packet suspiciously. PRINCE CHARMING. 89 " In thir case, a very convenient thing; for she tells me all about her brother's wedding as no one else would take the trouble to do." "Oh! well, ii he's married, I don't care a straw about him. I fancied I'd found out why you are such a hard-hearted charmer. But, if there is no secret idol, I 'm all at lea again." And Charlie tossed the photograph into the drawer, as if it no longer in- terested him. " I 'm hard-hearted because I 'm particular, and, as yet, do not find any one at all to my taste." " No one ? " with a tender glance. " No one," with a rebellious blush, and the truthful addition, "I see much to admire and like in many persons, but none quite strong and good enough to suit me. My heroes are old-fashioned, you know." " Prigs, like Guy Carleton, Count Altenberg, and John Halifax : I know the pattern you goody girls like," sneered Charlie, who preferred the Guy Living, ston, Beauclerc, and Rochester style. " Then I 'm not a ' goody girl,' for I don't like prigs. I want a gentleman in the best sense of the word, and I can wait ; for I 've seen one, and know there are more in the world." " The deuce you have ! Do I know him ? " asked Charlie, much alarmed. I' You think you do," answered Rose, with a mis- chievous sparkle in her eye. " If it isn't Pem, I give it up. He is the best-bred fellow I know." 90 ROSE IN BLOOM. \ " Oh, dear, no ! far suj.erior to Mr. IVinberton, and many years older," said R„so, with so much ros]>ect that Charlie looked peri)le.ve(I as well as anxious. "Some apostolic minister, i fancy. You pious creatures always like to adore a parson. But all we know are married." "He isn't." " Give a name, for pity's sake : I 'ni suffering tort- ures of 8usj)ense," begged Charlie. " Ale.Yander Camp])ell." " Uncle ? Well, uj.on my word, that 's a relief, but mighty absurd all the same. So, when you find a young saint of that sort, you intend to marry him, do you?" demanded Charlie, much amused and rather disappointed. " When I find any man half as honest, good, and noble as uncle, I shall be j.roud to marry him, if he asks me," answered Rose, decidedly. "What odd tastes women have!" And Charlie leaned his chin on his hand, to muse pensively for a moment over the blindness of one woman who could admire an excellent old uncle more than a dashhi- young cousin. ° Rose, meanwhile, tied up her parcels industriously, hopmg she had not been too severe ; for it was very hard to lecture Charlie, though he seemed to like it sometimes, and came to confession voluntarily, know- ing that women love to forgive when the sinners are of his sort. PRINCE CHARM/ NO'. 01 " Tt will 1)0 mail-tiine before you arc done," she said presently; for silence was less pleasant than his rattle. Charlie took the hint, and dashed off several notes in his best manner. Coming to the business-letter, he glanced at it, and asked, with a puzzled expression, — " What is all this ? Cost of rei)airs, &c., from a man named Buffum ? " " Never mind that : I '11 see to it by and by." " J^ut I do mind, for I 'm interested in all your af- fairs ; and, though you think I've no head for busi- ness, you'll find I have, if you'll try me." " This is only about my two old houses in the city, which are being repaired and altered so that the rooms can be let singly," " Going to make tenement-houses of them ? Well, that 's not a bad idea : such places pay well, I 've heard." " That is just wliat I 'm not going to do. I wouldn't have a tenement-house on my conscience for a million of dollars, — not as they are now," said Rose, ie- cidedly. " Why, what do f/ou know about it, except that poor people live in them, and the owners turn a penny on the rents ? " " I know a good deal about them ; for I 've seen many such, both here and abroad. It was not all pleasure with us, I assure you. Uncle was interested in hospitals and prisons, and I sometimes went with him : but liey made me sad ; so he suggested other 92 ROSE TN BLOOM. oliaritioH, that I noiild lu'lp about wlien we came lionio. I visited Infant Schools, Working-women's Tfomes, Orplian Asylums, and })laceR of that sort. You don't know how much good it did me, and how glad I am that I have the means of lightening a little some of the misery in the world." "But, my dear girl, you needn't make ducks and drakes of your fortune trying to feed and cure and clothe all the poor wretches you see. Give, of course: every one should do something in that line, and no one likes it better than I. Bui don't, for mercy's sake, go at it as some women do, and get so desperately earnest, jtractical, and charity-mad that there is no living in peace with you," protested Charlie, looking alarmed at the prospect. " You can do as you please. I intend to do all the good I can by asking the advice and following the ex- ample of the most 'earnest,' 'practical,' and 'charita- ble ' people I know : so, if you don't approve, you can drop my acquaintance," answered Rose, emphasizing the obnoxious words, and assuming the resolute air she always wore when defending her hobbies. • " You '11 be laughed at." • " I 'm used to that." "And criticised and shunned." " Not by people whose opinion I value." " Women shouldn't go poking into such places." " I 've been taught that they should." « Well, you '11 get some dreadful disease and lose PRINCE CHAR MING. 98 » your beauty, aiid then where arc you?" added Cliarlio, lliinking that might daunt the young pld- laiithrojiist. But it did not ; for Hose answered, with a sudden kindling of the eyes as she remembered her talk with Uncle Alec, — " I shouldn't like it : but there would be one satis- faction in it ; for, when I 'd lost my beauty and given away my money, I should know who really cared for me." Charlie nibbled his pen in silence for a moment, then asked, meekly, — " Could I respectfully inquire what great reform is ^to be carried on in the old houses which their amiable owner is repairing ? " " I '"^ merely going to make them comfortable homes for poor but respectable women to live in. There is a class who cannot afford to pay much, yet suffer a great deal from being obliged to stay in noisy, dirty, crowded places like tenement-houses and cheap lodgings. I can help a few of them, and I 'm going to try." " May I humbly ask if these decayed gentlewomen are to inhabit their palatial retreat rent-free ? " " That was my first plan ; but uncle showed me that it was wiser not to make genteel paupers of them, but let them pay a small rent and feel independent. I don't want the money of course, and shall use it in keeping the houses tidy, or helping other w^omen in like case," said Rose, entirely ignoring her cousin's covert ridicule. 94 ROSE IN BLOOM. " Don't expect any gratitude, for you won't get it ; nor much comfort witli a lot of forlornities on your hands ; and be sure that when it is too late you will tire of it all, and wish yon had done as other peo- ple do." " Thanks for your cheerful prophecies ; but I think I '11 venture." She looked so undaunted that Charlie was a little nettled, and fired his last shot rather recklessly, — " Well, one thing I do know : you '11 never get a husband if you go on in this absurd way ; and, by Jove ! you need one to take care of you and keep the property together ! " Rose had a temper, but seldom let it get the better of her ; now, however, it flashed up for a momentf Those last words were peculiarly unfortunate, because Aunt Clara had used them more than once, when warn- ing her against impecunious suitors and generous proj- ects. She was disappointed in her cousin, annoyed at having her little pl;ms laughed at, and indignant with him for his final suggestion. " I '11 never have one, if I must give up the liberty of doing what I know is right ; and I 'd rather go into the poor-house to-morrow than 'keep the property together ' in the selfish way you mean ! " That was all : but Charlie saw that he had gone too far, and hastened to make his peace with the skill of a lover ; for, turning to the little cabinet piano behind him, he sung in his best style the sweet old song, — PRINCE CHARMING. 95 " Oh were thou in the cauld bhist," dwelling with great effect, not only upon the tender assurance that " My plaid should slielter thee," but also that, even if a king, " The briglitest jewel in my crown Wad be my queen, wad be my queen." It was very evident that Prince Charming had not gone troubadouring in vain ; for Orpheus himself could not have restored harmony more successfully. The tuneful apology was accepted with a forgiving smile, and a frank, — " I 'm sorry I was cross ; but you haven't forgotten how to tease, and I 'm rather out of sorts to-day. Late hours don't agree with me." " Then you won't feel like going to Mrs. Hope's to- morrow night, I 'm afraid," and Charlie took up the last note with an expression of regret which was very flattering. " I must go, because it is made for me ; but I can come away early, and make up lost sleep. I do hate to be so fractious," and Rose rubbed the forehead that ached with too much racketing. " But the German does not begin till late : I 'm to lead, and depend upon you. Just stay this once to oblige me," pleaded Charlie ; for he had set his heart on distinguishing himself. 96 ROSE IN BLOOM. "No: I promised uncle to be temperate in my pleasures, and I must keep my word. I 'm so well now, it would be very foolish to get ill and make him anxious : not to mention losing my beauty, as you are good enough to call it ; for that depends on health, you know." " But the fun doesn't begin till after supper. Every thing will be delightful, I assure you ; and we '11 have a gay old time as we did last week at Emma's." " Then I certainly will not ; for I 'm ashamed of myself when I remember what a romp that was, and how sober uncle looked, as he let me in at three in the morning, all fagged out ; my dress in rags, my head aching, my feet so tired I could hardly stand, and nothing to show for five hours' hard work but a pocket- ful of bonbons, artificial flowers, and tissue-paper fool's- caps. Uncle said I'd better put one on and go to bed ; for I looked as if I 'd been to a French Bal Masque. I never want to hear him say so again, and I '11 never let dawn catch me out in such a plight any 5i more. "You were all right enough; for mother didn't object, and I got you both home before daylight. Uncle is notional about such things, so I shouldn't mind ; for we had a jolly time, and we were none the worse for it." "Indeed we were, every one of us! Aunt Clara Jiasn't got over her cold yet ; I slept all the next day ; and you looked like a ghost, for you 'd been out every night for Aveeks, I think." PRINCE CHARMING. 97 e in my I so well lake him you are Q health, . Every e '11 have araed of was, and ee in the ny head md, and a pocket- er fool's- id go to inch Bal ;ain, and ight any r didn't I ay light, houldn't one the t Clara xt day; it every "Oh, nonsense ! every one does it during the season, and you '11 get used to the pace very soon," began Charlie, bent on making her go ; for he was in his element in a ballroom, and never happier than when he hud his pretty cousin on his arm. " Ah ! but I don't want to get used to it ; for it (iosts too much in the end. I don't wish to get used to being whisked about a hot room by men who have taken too much wine; to turn day into night, wasting time that might be better spent; and grow into a fashionable fast girl who can't get on without excite- ment. I don't deny that much of it is pleasant, but don't try to make me too fond of gaycty. Help mo to resist what I know is hurtful, and please don't laugh me out of the good habits uncle has tried so hard to give me." Rose M^as quite sincere in her appeal, and Charlie knew she was right : but he always found it hard to give up any thing he had set his heart upon, no matter how trivial; for the maternal indulgence which had harmed the boy had fostered the habit of self-indul- gence which was ruining the man. So when Rose looked up at him, with a very honest desire to save him as well as herself from being swept into the giddy vortex which keeps so many young people revolving aimlessly, till they go down or are cast upon the shore wrecks of what they might have been, he gave a shrug and answered briefly, — "As you please. I'll bring you home as early as 7 98 ROSE IN BLOOM. you like, and Effie Waring can take your place in the German. What flowers shall I send you ? " Now, that was an artful speech of Charlie's; for Miss Waring was a fast and fashionable damsel, who openly admired Prince Charming, and had given him the name. Rose disliked her, and was sure her influ- ence was bad ; for youth made frivolity forgivable, wit hid want of refinement, and beauty always covers a multitude of sins in a man's eyes. At the sound of Efiie's name, Rose wavered, and would have yielded but for the memory of tlie "first mate's" last words. She did desire to " keep a straight course ; " so, though the current of impulse set strongly in a southerly direction, principle, the only compass worth having, pointed due north, and she tried to obey it like a wise young navigator, saying steadily, while she directed to Annabel the parcel containing a capacious pair of slip- pers intended for Uncle Mac, — " Don't trouble yourself about me. I can go with uncle, and slip away without disturbing anybody." " I don't believe you '11 have the heart to do it," said Charlie, incredulously, as he sealed the last note. " Wait and see." " I will, but shall hope to the Inst," and, kissing his hand to her, he departed to post her letters, quite sure that Miss Waring would not lead the German. It certainly looked for a^ moment as if Miss Camp- bell would^ becau j she ran to the door with the words " I '11 go " upon h«. lilts. But she did not open it till POLISHING MAC. 99 she had stood a minute staring hard at tlio old glove on Psyche's head ; then, like one who had siuldenly got a bright idea, she gave a decided nod and walked slowly out of the room. ^ CHAPTER VI. POLISHING MAC. " pLEASE could I say one word ? " was the ques- tion three times repeated before a rough head bobbed out from the grotto of books in which Mac usually sat when he studied. "Did any one speak?" he asked, bh'nking in the flood of sunshine that entered with Rose " Only three times, thank you. Don't disturb your- self, I beg ; for I merely want to say a word," answered Kose, as she prevented him from offering the easy- chair m which he sat. ''I was rather deep in a compound fracture, and didnt hea. What can I do for you, cousin?" and Mac shoved a stack of pamphlets off the chair near bim, with a hospitable wave of the hand that sent his papers flying in all directions. Rose sat down, but did not seem to find h^r «^ord " an easy one to utter ; for she twisted her handkerchief 100 ROSE IN BLOOM. 1 about her fingers in embarrassed silence, till Mac put on his glasses, and, after a keen look, asked soberly, — "Is it a splinter, a cut, or a whitlow, ma'am?" " It is neither ; do forget your tiresome surgery for a minute, and be the kindest cousin that ever was," answered Rose, beginning rather sharply and ending with her inost engaging smile, " Can't promise in the dark," said the wary youth. " It is a favor, a great favor, and one I don't choose to ask any of the other boys," answered the artful damsel. Mac looked pleased, and leaned forward, saying more affably, — " Name it, and be sure I '11 grant it if I can." " Go Avith me to Mrs. Hope's party to-morrow night." " What ! " and Mac recoiled as if she had put a pis- tol to his head. " I 've left you in peace a long time : but it is your turn now; so do your duty like a man and a cousin." " But I never go to parties ! " cried the unhappy vic- tim in great dismay. " High time you began, ^ir." " But I don't dance fit to be seen." " I '11 trach you." " My dress-coat isn't decent, I know." " Archie will lend you one : he isn't goino-." " I 'm afraid there 's a lecture that I ought not to cut." " No, there isn't : I asked uncle." 3 » ** 'i: POLISHING MAC. 101 [ Mac put oberly, — .1?" irgery for VQY was," d ending youth. 't choose he artful I, saying 1. (-morrow nit a pis- I is your iousin." ippy vic- . to cut." " I 'm always so tired and dull in the evening." " This sort of tiling is just what you want to rest and freshen up your spirits." Mac gave a groan and fell back vanquished; for it was evident that escape was im])ossible. " What put such a perfectly wild idea into your head ? " he demanded, rather roughly ; for hitherto he had been "left in peace," and this sudden attack de- cidedly amazed him. " Sheer necessity ; but don't do it if it is so very dreadful to you. I must go to several more parties, because they are made for me; but after that I'll re- fuse, and then no one need be troubled with me." Something in Rose's voice made Mac answer peni- tently, even while he knit his brows in perplexity,— "I didn't mean to be rude; and of course Pll cro anywhere if I 'm really needed. But I don't unde^r- stand where the sudden necessity is, with three other fellows at command, all better dancers and beaux than I am." " I don't want them, and I do want you ; for I haven't the heart to drag uncle out any more, and you know I never go with any gentleman but those of my own family." ^ "Now look here. Rose : if Steve has been doing any thmg to tease you just mention it, and I '11 attend to him, ' cried Mac, plainly seeing that something was amiss, and fancying that Dandy was at the bottom of It, as he had done escort duty several times lately. I 102 ROSE IN BLOOM. " No, Steve has been very good : but I know he had rather be with Kitty Van ; so of course I feel like a marj)lot, though he is too polite to hint it." " What a noodle that boy is ! But there 's Archie : he 's as steady as a church, and has no sweetheart to interfere," continued Mac, bound to get at the truth, and half suspecting what it was. • ^ " He is on his feet all day, and Aunt Jessie wants him in the evening. He does not care for dancing as he used, and I suppose he really does prefer to rest and read." Rose might have added, " and hear Phebe sing;" for Phebe did not go out as much as Rose did, and Aunt Jessie often came in to sit with the old lady when the young folks were away ; and, of course, duti- ful Archie came with her; so willingly of late! "What's amiss with Charlie? I thought he was the prince of cavaliers. Annabel says he dances ' like an angel,' and I know a dozen mothers couldn't keep him at home of an evening. Have you had a tiff with Adonis, and so fall back on poor' me?" asked Mac, coming last to the person of whom he thought first, but did not mention, feeUng shy about alluding to a subject often discussed l^ehind her back. "Yes, we have; and I don't intend to go with him any more for some time. His ways do not suit me, and mine do not suit him; so I want to be quite inde- pendent, and you can help n:e if you will," said Rose, rather nervously spinning the big globe close by. Mac gave a low whistle, looking wide awake all in a POLISHING MAC. 103 m a minute, as he said with a gesture, as if he bruslied a cobweb off his face, — " Now, see here, cousin : I 'm not good at mysteries, and shall only blunder if you put me blindfold into any nice manoeuvre. Just tell me straight out what you want, and I '11 do it if I can. Play I 'm uncle, and free your mind ; come now." He spoke so kindly, and the honest eyes Avere so full of merry good-will, that Rose felt she might confide in him, and answered as frankly as he could desire, — " You are right, Mac ; and I don't mind talking to you almost as freely as to uncle, because you are such a reliable fellow, and won't think me silly for tryino- to do what I believe to be right. Charlie does, and so makes it hard for me to hold to my resolutions. I want to keep early hours, dress simply, and behave properly ; no matter what fashionable j)eople do. You will agree to that, I 'm sure ; and stand by me through thick and thin for principle's sake." " I will ; and begin by showing you that I under- stand the case. I don't wonder you fwe not pleased ; for Charlie is too presuming, and you do need some one to help you head him off a bit. Hey, cousin ? " "What a way to put it!" and Rose laughed in spite of herself, adding with an air of relief, " That is it; and I do want some one to help me make him understand that I don't choose to be taken possession of in that lordly way, as if I belonged to him more than to the rest of the family. I don't like it ; for 101 I noSK /N BLOOM. people bo^.in to t.'ilk, niul (1,;„1 Jigrccahli. it is t<) mo." i«' won't BOO how dis- 1 Tril liiin so," WM8 l\rMc's hlmK jid I li:ivc>; but he onlv l.ni.rha .,ii(l vice >:»vc', niid tlu'ji lio docs it that r can't say any (liin^r. Von ^yin and I cannot explain ; lor it is o.dy a lool promises to be- i.i^'ain, when I am so j)laced never understand, k, or a word, i.ive i(, and the best or some little thinj;; but I won't 1 way to enre hi.n is to put it out of his power to unnov me so." "^ "Ho is a -reat flirl, and wants to teach yon how T suppose. I'll speak to him if you like, and tell hi'm you don't Avant to learn. Shall I ?" asked Mac, find- mnr the case rather an interesting one. "No, thank you: that would only make trouble. If you will kindly ],lay escort a few times, it will show Charlie that I am in ear.iest without more words, and put ,1 stop to the gossip," said Rose, colorin- like a poppy at the recollection of what she heard one young man whisper to another, as Charlie led her throu-h a crowde.l supper-room with his most devoted lUr, "Lucky dog I he is sure to get the heiress, and we are nowhere." "There 's no danger of people's gossiping about us 18 there?" and Mac looked up, witli the oddest of all Ins odd expressions. " Of course not : you 're only a boy." "I'm twenty-one, thank you; and Prince is but a couple of years older," said Mac, promptly resenting liie slight put upon his manhood. how dis- !8 to bc- o placi'd liTNtMIld, • Ji word, till' liost o iiuiioy II how, I tell him ac, fiiid- troidde. ill show I'da, Jind f like a J young Jirough ed air. we are about * dest of but a enting j J IS POLISH I N(i MAC, 105 (( Ves; but he Ih liko o(! K'r are a dear old bookwonu. N what ym did ; so yon may tr„ t( •Kht young men, while you <» one woidd ever mind > parties with me ^'very n.ght, ,„d not a w(M-d would b(. Haid then was, I shoiddn't mind or, if Mwvv. it iH 'oidy M, ic » » W01-.I ofU'ii „»,m1 t„ oxen,,. |,i„ vif;,,ri<.H "The, / a,„ „„l„„lyV" lifting hi, l„-„w,, H, if the .lw(».v,.,j- ,„r|,r„,,l „n,l ,,,t|,„, „,,^|_|^,, ,,.,^^ " NolKMlj. in „„ri,ty ,„ j,,,^ . ^„^ , . ^^. you ,y oonf,.lant, ,„.,! eh„o,ing y„„ f,,,. n./kni,,,,,, " 8«ul Uo,c,l„.,i,.ning t„ ,o„the the feeling, her cele s word, Bconicl to have rnffle.l slightly ^J^Mueh good Ma. is likely t^. ,1„ „,e," g„n„,,ed -Yo„ nngratefnl boy, not to appvechUo the honor 1 ve conferred n,,on y„„ , J kn„,v a dozen who wonid be proud of the „laeo: but yon only eare for com. pound fracture,; ,„ I won't detain yon any longe except to ask if I n.ay consider n.yself provided wUh an escort for to-n,orrow night?" said ]{„se, a trifle hurt .u h,s indifference; for she was not used to he. . bow wluch was such a capital imitation of Ch lies grand manner that she forgave him at once, exclamimg with amused surprise, — gal?!"'''' ^'""' ^ ''''"'' '"'°* y"" '"«'<' be so ele- 106 Uu^e IN BLOOM. " A fellow can bo almost any tiling he likes, if he tries hard enough," he answered, stand ing very straight, and looking so tall and dignified that Rose was (juite impi ith stately i-essecl, and ing graciously, " I accept with thanks. Good-morning, Doctor Alexander Mackenzie Campbell." When Friday evening came, and word was sent up that lier escort had arrived, Rose ran down, devoutly li ing ^'-'at he had not come in a velveteen jacket, top- boots, bi.^ck gloves, or made any trifling mistake of that 801,. A young gentleman was standing before the long mirror, apparently intent on the arrangement of his hair; and Rose paused suddenly as her ey* went from the glossy broadcloth to the white-gloved hands, busy with an unruly lock that would not stay in place. " Why, Charlie, I thought — " she began with an accent of surprise in her voice, but got no further ; for the gentleman turned and she behehl Mac in immacu- late evening costume, with his hair parted sweetly on his brow, a superior posy at his button-hole, and the expression of a martyr upon his face. " Ah, don't you wish it was ? No one but yourself to thank that it isn't he. Am I right ? Dandy got me up, and he ought > ivnow what is what," de- manded Mac, folding his .., «.u., ar,i standing as stiff as a ramrod. "You are so regularly splcLlid that i don't know you." c c c :es, if he straight, vi\s (|uite ired, say- Doctor sent up devoutly iket, top- stuke of ^ before iigement iy-e went I hands, n place, with an ler; for mmacu- 3etly on and the ►'ourself idy got It," de- as stiff b know « tl Oman proval. POLISHING MAC. Neither do I." I really had no idea you could look so lik added TJoK", surveying hini witl 107 n a i Jjfreat gen- ap- (( Nor I iiML I could feel so HI, e a fool. "Poor boy! he docs look rather miserable. What can I do to cheer him up, in return for the sacrifice he IS making?" "Stop culling me a boy. It will soothe my a.^ony immensely, and give me courage to ai>pear in alow- necked coat and a curl on my forehead ; for I ',n not used to such elegancies, and find them no end of a trial." Mac spoke in such a pathetic tone, and gave such a gloomy glare at the aforesaid curl, that Rose lau-hed in his face, and added to his woe by handing him°her (^loak. He surveyed it gravely for a minute, then care- tally put it on wrong side out, and gave the swan's- down hood a good pull over her head, to the utter destruction ( f all smoothness to the curls inside. ^^^•>se utte.cu a cry and cast off the cloak, biddino- him learn to do it properly, which he meekly did, and then led her down the hall without walking on her skn-ts more than three times by the way But at the door she discovered that she had forgotten her furred overshoes, and bade Mac get them. "Never mind: it's not wet," he said, pullinc. his cap^over his eyes and plunging into his coat, regardless ot tiie « elegancies » that alHicted him. ^ 108 ROSE IN BLOOM. " But I can't walk on cold stones with thin slippers, can I ?" began Rose, showing a little white foot. « You needn't, for _ there you are, my lady ; " and, unceremoniously picking her up, Mac landed her in the carriage before she could say a word. " What an escort ! " she exclaimed in comic dismay, as she rescued her delicate dress from the rug in which he was about to tuck her up like a mummy. "It 's 'only Mac,' so don't mind," and he cast him- self into an opposite corner, with the air of a man who had nerved himself to the accomplishment of many pamful (^uties, and was bound to do them or die. » But gentlemen don't catch up ladies like bags of meal, and poke them into carriages in this way. It is evident that you need looking after, and it is high time I undertook your society manners. Now, do mind ' what you are about, and don't get yourself or me into a scrape if you can help it," besought Rose, feeling that on many accounts she Iiad gone farther and fared worse. "I '11 behave like a Turveyd.op : see if I don't." Mac's idea of the immortal Turveydrop's behavior seemed to be a peculiar one ; for, after dancing once with his cousin, he left her to her own devices, and soon forgot all about her in a long conversation with Professor Sturaph, the learned geologist. Rose did not care; for one dance proved to her that that branch of Mac's education had been sadly neglected, and she was glad to glide smoothly about with Steve, though I « f 1 slippers, bot. y;" and, d her in 3 dismay, in which ;ast him- tnan who of many r die. J bags of Y- It is igh time lo mind " me into feeling id fared i't.» >ehavior ig once ies, and on with ose did branch and she t.lmnnpl-i &■• •1 POLISHING MAC. 109 he was only an inch or two taller than herself. She had plenty of partners, however, and plenty of chape- rons ; or all the young men were her most devoted, and all the nu.trons beamed upon her with maternal benignity. Charlie was not there; for when he found that Rose stood firm, and had moreover engaged Mac as a per- manency, he would not go at all, and retired in hic^h dudgeon to console himself . ith more dangerous pL times. Rose feared it would be so ; and, even in the mids of the gayety about her, an anxious mood came over her now and then, and made her thoughtful for a moment. She felt her power, and wanted to use it wisely ; but did not know how to be kind to Charlie without being untrue to herself and giving him false hopes. "I wish we were all children again, with no hearts to perplex us and no great temptations to try us " she said to herself, as she rested a moment in a quiet' nook while Iier partner went to get a glass of water. Right in the midst of this half-sad, half-sentimental reverie, she heard a familiar voice behind her say earnestly _ "And allophite is the new hydrous silicate of alu- nana and magnesia, much resembling pseudophite, which Websky found in Silesia." " What is Mac talking about ! " she thought : and peepmg behind a great azalea in full bloom, she saw her cousin in deep converse with the professor, ovi- dently having a capital time ; for his face had lost its sews! 110 ROSE IN BLOOM. melancholy expression and was all alive with interest, while the ekler man was listening as if his remarks were both intelligent and agreeable. "What is it?" asked Steve, coining np with the water, and seeing a smile on Rose's face. She pointed ont the scientific tete-cl-tetc going on behind the azalea, and Steve grinned as he peeped, then grew sober and said in a tone of despair,— " If you had seen the ])ains I took with that fellow, the patience with Avhich I brushed his wig, the time I spent trying to convince him that he must wear thin boots, and the fight I had to get him into that coat ; you 'd understand my feelings when I see him now." "Why, what is the matter with him?" asked Rose. " Will you take a look, and see what a spectacle he has made of liimself. He 'd better be sent home at once, or he will disgrace the family by looking as if he 'd been in a row." Steve spoke in such a tragic tone that Rose took another peej) and did sympathiije with Dandy; for Mac's elegance was quite gone. His tie was under one ear, his posy hung upside down, his gloves were rolled into a ball, which he absently squeezed and pounded as he talked, and his hair looked as if a whirl- wind had passed over it; for his ten fingers set it on end now and then, as they had a habit of doing when he studied c.r talked earnestly. But he looked so hapj)y and wide awake, in spite of his dishevelmont, that Rose gave an approving nod, and said behind her fan, — interest, remarks v'ith the ;oing on peeped, air, — t fellow, he time ear thin at coat ; now." 1 Rose. tacle he lome at ig as if se took dy; for i under es were ;ed and. a whirl- t it on g when 'ked so ehnent, ind her 4, POLISHING MAC. m T fV v. *• ''^'"^ '^''''''^''' ^''''' •• y^^'^ «" the. whole I think h.s own odd ways suit him best; and 1 J we shall yet be proud of him, for he knows nun e ' a 1 the rest of us put together. He.. ,bat n ' ' W j..used, that they n.ight listen to the m.jl burst of elo(pience from IMac's lips • _ J You kn.:^ Frenzel has shown that the globuiur forms of siheate of bismuth at Schneebnrg and Jo goc^enstadt :.re not ison.etrie, but Ln.l ^ cry^=a^.orm;andeonse,uen^ "Isn't it awful? Let us get out of this before there s another avalanehe, or we shall be globul r ; caes an. sometric crystals in spite of ou,.!lv:;; peied Steve with a panic-stricken air; and thev fed J-om the hail-storm of hard words tha ra I l^b ^--ars, leaving Mac to enjoy himself in It;: escoit, he was nowhere to be seen- fn,. e p,.„ 03,0,. had departed, and Mac wiU. 1 'f ! *o..bod ■„ .„,„„ „,,, ,„,,„ ,,^^ ,^^ outirc y :,:: dawned upon Rose f' / r ^'^'''^"« ^''^^t Shewasbot .n:;\ :;\:f^^^^^ .-^ ^^ i-.'i-'l. to go moonin/.Tff I . ■ '' ™ ^" ^'^« ^^^^o g mooning off and leave her to her fato Not -i iiaid one, however; for thono-h <;!. > loi, tnough (5teve was gone with 112 ROSE IN BLOOM. Kitty before liei- flight was discovered, Mrs. Bliss was only too glad to take the deserted damsel under her wing, and bear her safely home. Rose was Avarming her feet, and sipping the choco- late which Piiebe always liad ready for her, as she never ate suj)i)ers; when a hurried tap came at the long window whence the liglit streamed, and Mac's voice was heard softly asking to be let in " just for one minute." Curious to know what had befallen him, Rose bade Phebe obey his call ; and the delinquent cavalier ap- peared, breathless, anxious, and more dilapidated than ever: for he hrd forgotten his overcoat; his tie was at the back of his neck now ; and his hair as rampantly erect as if all the winds of heaven had been blowing freely through it, as tliey had ; for he had been tearing to and fro the last half-hour trying to undo the dread- ful deed he had so innocently committed. " Don't take any notice of me ; for I don't deserve it : I only came to see that you were safe, cousin, and then go hang myself, as Steve advised," he began, in a remorseful tone, that would have been very effective if he had not been obliged to catch his breath with a comical gas]) now and then. " I never thought you would be the one to desert me," said Rose, with a repi-oachful look ; thinking it best not to relent too" soon, tliough she was quite ready to do it when she saw how sincerely distressed he was. 1* " It was that confounded man ! He was a regular i Bliss was mder her le choco- r, as she le at the ad Mac's it for one ose bade alier ap- ited than i tie was Linpantly blowing 1 tearing e dread- serve it : sin, and ;jan, in a iffective, 1 with a 3 desert iking it ;e ready- he was. regular ) POLISHING MAC. 4"* i 113 the ti„,e w,. short ;;,/;'7-" ■"^--tion, „. thing else when I get u M „ , ";'''' '"''S^'' "^''^ "Th„ ;. ./ ^ '"'""* soch •■' fellow." ■inat IS evKlcnt. I won.To,. i, member mo at nil," ,n„w -ed R ^°" "■"'"' '" '"- -Tn";: r.f ::::' •°'""'""=" ^-^^ -•"<'«' I Vl gone and le JI "J' '" "'". '"^'"' ^""'='^' that me do,™ with a fe tC" IT, ',"'"' ''"■= ''""''''»'» -ne of his iniquity! ' ''°"^^' «^'=' """"g "What did you do then?" " Do ! I went off like n «i,„t „ j I .-cached the Hopes " _ ' "''"' "'W^'J tiU "B":ru:\::vrB:ir"-'^^«- overcoat. "etected the absence of an "Couldn't do less, could I?" asked Mn . ■ — the door and trying not^ „f "' "^"-^ "P "-was„oneedofha,f.ki„i4y„„,.,,,,„.,^„^^ o I ! — •~- T ■;- 114 ROSE IN BLOOM. a trifle. You might have known I could take care of myself for once, at least, with so many friends about. Sit down this minute. ]3ring another cuj), please, Phebe : this boy isn't going home till he is rested and refreslied after such a run as that," commanded Rose. " Don't be good to me : I'd rather take a scolding than a chair, and drink hemlock instead of chocolate if you happen to have any ready," answered Mac, with a pathetic puff, as he subsided on to the sofa, and meekly took the draught Phebe brought him. " If you had any thing the matter with your heart, sir, a race of this sort might be the death of you : so never do it again," said Rose, oftering her fan to cool his heated countenance. " Haven't got any heart." " Yes, you have, for I hear it beating like a trip- hammer, and it is my fault : I ought to have stopped as Ave went by, nnd told you I was all right." " It 's the mortification, not the miles, that upsets me. I often take that run for exercise, and think nothing of it ; but to-night I was so mad I made extra good time, I fancy. Now don't you worry, but com- pose your mind, and ' sip your dish of tea,' as Evelina says," answered Mac, artfully turning the conversation from himself. " What do you know about Evelina?" asked Rose, in great surprise. "All about her. Do you suppose I never read a novel ? " take care 311(18 about, ip, please, rested and ied Rose, a scold incf ' chocolate Mac, with ! sofa, and liin. ^our heart, )f you : 80 'an to cool ike a trip- '^e stopped hat upsets and think nade extra , but com- as Evelina nversation ked IJose, '^er read a POLISHING MAC. «> it 115 "I thought you read nothini. but OrooL-.. it • with an occ-isionn] ,.] ^^ '"t't'k and Latin, ucxasional glance at Wobslcv'« , . i , • and the monoolinics of Joh-.n "^^ ' J*-^<''"^oph,te8 Mac opened his t^J^Tr^T^''' ^-- the Me, a,^y tl J r^^^^^ f'oartinessthatAuntPen V "^^^ ^"^'^ ^"^^ "i6' the house afire ^" ->nt., looking about fo!,,;::;,""' "' "" ^"''^' ""■ " You l,,ave„'t got any, you benio-htei] b„v r . , "iB, and have your wit, ..r, , ° ^- "" ^"^^ -n't let you off o i;':;!^"'.',"?" *-"' <"■ I <»-Piea.„.e in he,- ,a!,g I" I , ' "' ""'' "» ««« of "Next time! Tl.en vou°H„ ■ "7 me again ■„„] ll , '^'™ "'^ Y°" "-"l -' a fool " '/;: "" ";''™- '» P'-ove that I •„ emotion. *'' '='"'"•'"•'"« "'^ ^S coat with " Of course I will • o^/i „ ^ "'gl)t,and told Steve that , """' /""•■• 'cwmng to- »»■■ philosopher." °"^'" '» l-^ P™«d of "Learning be hano-ed f T '?i v. 116 ROSE IN BLOOM. a book-worm, but as much a man as any of tlion. ; and then you may be i)roucl or not, as you like!" cried Mac, with a defiant nod, that caused the glasses to leap wddly off Ids nose, as he caught up his hat and departed as he caine. A day or two later, Rose went to call upon Aunt Jane, as she dutifully did once or twice a week On her way upstairs, she heard a singular sound in the drawing-room, and involuntarily stopped to listen. "One, two, three, slide! One, two, three, turn! Now then, come on ! " said one voice, impatiently. "It's very easy to say 'come on;' but what the didcens do I do with my left leg wliile I 'm turning and sliding with my right?" demanded another voice, m a breathless and mournful tone. _ Tlien the whistling and thumping went on more vigorously than before; and Rose, recognizing the voices, peeped through the half-open door to behold a sight which made her shake with suppressed laughter Steve, with a red table-cloth tied round Jiis waist, lan- guished upon Mac's shoulder, dancing in perfect time to the air he whistled ; for Dandy was a proficient in the graceful art, and plumed himself upon his skill Mac with a flushed face and dizzy eye, clutched his brothel- by the small of his back, vainly endeavoring to steer him down the long room without entangling his^own legs in the table-cloth, treading on his partt ner s toes, or colliding with the furniture. It was very droll; and Rose enjoyed the spectacle, till Mac, in a 1*1 thc'iii ; and ke ! " cried glasses to lis hat and ijjon Aunt veek. On nd in the listen, •ee, turn ! itiently. what the II turning her voice, on more Izing the behold a laughter, ^aist, hm- ■ect time "icient in his skill, ched his eavoring tangling his part- vas very :iic, in a POLISHING MAC. nj frantic attempt to swing round, dashed himself against he wall, and landed Steve upon the floor. Tlfen was impossible to restrain her laughter nny Ion" ' an she walked in upon them, saying merHl, 1^ ' ^Ji was splendid I Do it again, and I 'H p'^y for Steve sprung up, and tore off the table-cloth in great ^oLiturhirr'trt" '"''' ''' -- -^^ nailed 'thf't 't-''"^"' '"• ^'^" ' «^-^^^ ^>-e mi sed his touchmg tableau of cousinly devotion and^brotherly love. Getting ready for our next p":;; "Trying to; but there are so many things to re memb.. all at once, -keep time, steer'straigh , odge" pet icoats, and manage my confounded ieg 1 tha .t sn't easy to get on at first," answered Mac wipmg his hot forehead, with a sio-l, 'f „ I ' « Knr-q. , • u T «" ^^ exhaustion. Haidest job Z ever undertook ; and, as I 'm not a battermg-ram, I decline to be knocked round ! ong-'' g-wled Steve, dusting his knees, n ^ ully surveymg the feet that had been tram;ied on l" heytmgled; for his boots and broadcloth'jll to the heart of the dapper youth J tl^ ^"r 1. ^'"' ''"' ' '"^ "^-^^ «Wiged. I Ve .ot the pace, I thmk, and can practise with^a chair to 118 ROSE IN BLOOM. I keep my liand in," siiid Mac, with such a comio mixt- ure of gratitude and resio-n.-ition that Rose went off ngain so irresistibly tliat her cousins joined her witli a hearty roar. "As you are making a martyr of yourself in my ser- vice, the least I can do is to lend a hand. Play for us, Stevo, and I '11 give JVIac a lesson, unless he prefers the chair." And, throwing off hat and cloak. Rose beckoned so invitingly that the gravest philosopher would have yielded. "A thousand thanks, but I'm afraid I shall hurt you," began Mac, much gratified, but mindful of past mishaps. " I 'm not. Steve didn't manage his train well, for good dancers always loop theirs up. I have none at all : so that trouble is gone ; and the music will make it much easier to keep step. Just do as I tell you, and you '11 go beautifully after a few turns." "I will, I will! Pipe up, Steve! Now, Rose!" And, brushing his hair out of his eyes with an air of stern determination, Mac grasped Rose, and re- turned to the charge, bent on distinguishing himself if he died in the attempt. ^ The second lesson prospered : for Steve marked the time by a series of emphatic bangs ; Mac obeyed orders as promptly as if his life depended on it; and, after several narrow escapes at exciting moments, Rose had the satisfaction of being steered safely down the room, and landed with a grand pirouette at the bottom! Tiio, mixt- went off ler with a n my ser- Pl.iy fol- ic prefers ak, Rose ilosopher hall hurt 1 of past well, for none at '^ill make you, and Rose ! " I an air and re- himself ■ked the 1 orders d, after 3se had e room, bottom. POLISH J XG AfAC. no Stove .a,>,,n.,..le,,, .,,,1 Mac, ,„uch oh.tod, e«l.i,ned With ai-tleas ciindor,— Ro»o I „,«.^, dctostc, ,l...„d„g before; but Ly have a little sensible conversation," beo-an Ma" ~ith -1„ tanee; for he had been unmereTful.y chaffe b; ij cousins, to whom his brother had betrayed him. 120 ROSE IN BLOOM. ^ ^'^' What did yon say ? I won't laugh if I can help it," said Rose, curious to hear ; for Steve's eyes were twinkling with fun. " Well, I knew she was fond of theatres ; so I tried that first, and got on pretty well till I began to tell her how they managed those things in Greece. Most in- teresting subject, you know ? " " Very. ])id you give her one of the choruses or a bit of Agamemnon, as you did when you described it to me ? " asked Rose, keei)ing sober with diflieulty as she recalled that serio-comic scene. "Of course not; but I was advising her to read Prometheus, when she gaped behind her fan, and began to talk about Phebe. What a ' nice creature ' she was, ' kept her place,' ' dressed according to her station,' and that sort of twaddle. I suppose it was rather rude, but being pulled up so short confused me a bit, and I said the first thing that came into my head, which was that I thought Phebe the best-dressed woman in the room, because she wasn't all fuss and feathers like most of the girls." " O Mac! that to Emma, who makes it the labor of her life to be always in the height of the fashion, and was particularly splendid that night. What did she say ? " cried Rose, full of sympathy for both parties. " She bridled and looked daggers at me." " And what did you do ? " " I bit ray tongue, and tumbled out of one scrape into another. Following her example, 1 changed the I I can help I eyes were so I tried to tell her Most in- • ruses or n ascribed it iliieulty as r to read md began ' she was, • station,' as rather me a bit, my head, 5t-dressed fuss and labor of bion, and ' did she )arties. e scrape iged the POLISHING MAC. 1. 121 '"'f "' ''^ '""'-« •^''""' .!"■ CI,,.„.it,. r„„eert f„,. „" what v.e„t before. *""'' '"^' ™"'' ••« " Imagine Emma trotlincr i-oun.l w!,., „ "No, she t. e^ ;rt''.":'" "l"'' '^-" "-- ' '-^"'^^ '^ 'JttJe shriek, and snifl « n^^^ cous, Mr. Campbell, how droll ;„„ ',. V.t "■"" niamm.n, nlen.p ' „.i,; i, t ,. , •™"""''- T'a'te me to Catch n e ;« ; !' '" '"* '^ ">™«"> heart, a grim sh.I Tflb: Ifri ' ''' "="""■" ^""^" *^-- »''- c-*o.retWma„.ehaHt,.Uh';ot::;lJ:;- 122 ROSE IN BLOOM. i- i Greek tragedy if you did the chorus for them as you did for me," said Rose, consolingly; for Steve would only jeer. "Give me a list of them, please; and I'll cultivate their acquaintance. A fellow must have some reward . for making a t^totum of himself." " I will with pleasure ; and if you dance well they will make it very pleasant for you, and you '11 enjoy parties in spite of yourself." " I cannot be a ' glass of fashion and a mould of form ' like Dandy here, but I '11 do my best : only, if I had my choice, I 'd much rather go round the streets with an organ and a monkey," answered Mao, despond- ently. " Thank you kindly for the compliment," and Rose made him a low courtesy, while Steve cried, — " Now you have done it ! " in a tone of reproach which reminded the culprit, all too late, that he was Rose's chosen escort. " By the gods, so I have ! " and, casting away the newspaper with a gesture of comic despair, Mac strode from the room, chanting tragically the words of Cas- sandra, — " ' Woe ! woe ! O Earth ! O Apollo ! I will dare to die ; I will accost the gates of Hades, and mako my prayer that I may receive a mortal blow ! ' " 'Ab em as you eve would 1 cultivate 16 reward well they a '11 enjoy mould of only, if I he streets despond- and Rose reproach it he was [iway the ac strode 3 of Cas- will dare nd raaka PHEBE. 123 CHAPTER VII. PHEBE. "^HILE Rose was making discoveries and having . «--Per,ences, Phebe was doing the same h t the eye „f f,,e,„M,ip die, „o^ pLp '"'" "'""'' ^™' V taKe the place she was meant to fill no obstacle, tl, ■'^°'"' °" '"S""'^'' ""-linS '' to their companionship in the secluded MaxaaiHaaiMtiWiiiNaKb^ii I i| I 11 i 124 ROSE IN BLOOM. world ill which they lived : now that tliey were women their paths inevitably diverged, and both reluctantly felt that they must part before long. It had been settled, when they went abroad, that on their return Phebe should take her one gift in her hand, and try her fortunes. On no other terms would she accept the teaching which was to fit her for the independence she desired. Faithfully had she used the facilities so generously afforded both at home and abroad, and now was ready to prove that they had not been in vain. Mucli encouraged by the small suc- cesses she won in drawing-rooms, and the praise be- stowed by interested friends, she began to feel that she might ventuie on a larger field, and begin her career as a concert singer ; for she aimed no higher. Just at this time, much interest was felt in a new asylum for orphan girls, whicii could not be completed for want of funds. The Campbells "well had borne their part," and still labored to accomplish the much- needed charity. Several fairs had been given for this purpose, followed by a series of concerts. Rose had tlirown herself into the work Avith all her heart, and now proposed that Phebe should make her debut at the last concert which was to be a peculiarly interesting one, as all the orphans were to be present, and were expected to plead their own cause by the sight of their innocent helplessness, as well as touch hearts by the simple airs they were to sing. Some of the family thought Phebe would object to I I PIIEBE. were women 1 reluctantly road, that on gift in her terms would her for the A she used t home and It they had e small suc- e praise be- to feel that I begin her higher. [t in a new 1 completed had borne the much- en for this Rose had heart, and Ubut at the resting one, re expected ir innocent simple airs [ object to 125 so humble a boginnin«- buf T» i , was „„t di.a,.p„l,e W^r , , "' ''"' '"^"'"•' ""'' Phcbe a„s«.' L, Z^;:: '"■" "'« '""'•^- '-■ 1-1 1. " Where could I finrl .^ flff ^' before the public h th' ' ' '"'' '^'''™ '" """'« misfortune I'i 1 ?,?'""' 7"'"^ "'"^"™ '" about me." ' """ ''■''™ "" """ri"'' >"a,l„ imie 'vocnl music but voiir« ni,;i +1. 1 •, ^ I'll -0 tbat you b.ve eve. ftriirrr '''':'"■"'"' promised Rose. ^ ^ ' ^°" l''"''""." Aunt Cla,° ^ ' " ' .' I" ^''^ """ ""' --»'^''- Pl..bede ide otetr'', "; "" '™' ' ^"«""« withfdllsat „e krd„7"" "T"'""'""'' ""^■■'•"° gown., n„d ^tit ; :^^°;'i:t;p;t"™ "■ ""-"• "'""■ " "ttie supper afteJ... ••ullf':; ];:""'^<' '" '7" Pliebe be<.ffed her t„ „v occasion ; hut the poor :f : '"Ttrr " 'r " ^''™""- "■""- f"^ of flowers, andCharhe , ili'rT" '^ ""■"* """""'» si"go.- in. But Ph ' ' r """"■ °* ''-''■"""S 'bo tbel kindly offc?'. "'* "=^" '" "-• «yos, declined ""y oitcis, s.-iynig earnestly, — 1 li.ld better bccrin ^lo T „ ^ uegin as 1 am to o-o on -.^a a P™ myseif entirely. Indeed, Mr. Cha^"',, '';;"" -'"-n alone ; for you M bo out of p,,:.„7 „„:;:''::: 126 ROSE IN BLOOM. and spoil the j^athetic effect we wish to produce," and a smile sparkled through the tears, as Phebe lc!)ked at the piece of eisgance before her, and thought of the brown gowns and pinafores. So, after much discussion, it was decided that she should have her way in all things, and the family con- tent themselves with applauding from the front. " We 'H blister our hands every man of us, and carry you home in a chariot and four : see if we don't, you perverse prima donna ! " threatened Steve, not at all satisiied with the simplicity of the affair. " A nhariot and two will be very acceptable as soon as I 'n? done. I shall be quite steady till rny part is all over, and then I may feel a little upset ; so I 'd like to gs3t away before the confusion begins. Indeed I don't mean to be perverse : but you are all so kind to me, my heart is full whenever I think of it ; and that wouldn't do if I 'ra to sing," said Phebe, dropping one of the tears on the little frill she was making. No diamond could have adorned it better Archie thought, as he watched it shine tliere for a moment ; and felt like shaking Steve for daring to pat the dark head with an encouraging, — « All right. I '11 be on hand, and whisk you away while the rent are splitting their gloves. No fear of your breaking down. If you feel the least bit like it, though, just look at me ; and I '11 glare at you and shake my fist, since kindness upsets you." " I wish you would, because one of my ballads is PlIEBE. 127 rather touching and I ahv,.y. .», ^ „.^, „„^„ ^ "...« .t. Ihe sight of you trying to gh,ro will „.„ke me waut to laugh, an,, that will steady.ne nieci; » :;:-;----.•-.-„, out .hen zeou^-;;- ;: D^P^'l "Pon me ! " And the little n.an departed k.ng great credit to hhn.elf for his influence over tall, handsome Phebe. If he had known what was going on i„ the mind of the s,le„t young go„tlc,na„ behind the nowsnaner Steve would have been much astonished; for A'ch e though apparently engrossed by business, was fathoms' deep m ove bv this fimn !«■„ ^luioms Rose- forhp V, K . "'"' '*''^P'''=t«l this but PheW I t "'""^^ "'"■ ^^ "y-^' ""d only Pliebe knew how eloquent they could be. He had d.«covered what the matter was long ago,-h."m de many attempts to reason himself out of it birtfinTw ta h le,s t k, had given up trying, and le 1 im ff duf dehcously. The knowledge that the familv would not approve only seemed to add ardl- o ' iove and strength to his purpose : for the same ell and persistence which he brmml.f , i. ■ "^ into every thiue he did Tf '""""''" """">■ >"» mind'to Zrt Phie" ; •"■■"^ """ "'""'^ "P plan except a ::.^tm'he;'''"'-"»'>-g«>>'« to make him happy. Her stead^astt;::/;;:::; , Jt^ ai^a 128 ROSE IN BLOOM. \ I I fi ways; :uk1 the reserved power and passion betrayed sometimes by a flash of the bhick eyes, a quiver of the firm lips, — suited Archie, who possessed many of the same attributes himself : while the obscurity of her birth and isolation of her lot, which would have de- terred some lovers, not only appealed to his kindly heart, but touched the hidden romance which ran like a vein of gold through his strong common-sense, and made practical, steady-going Archie a poet when he fell in love. If Uncle Mac had guessed what dreams and fancies went on in the head bent over his ledgers, and what emotions were fermenting in the bosom of his staid "right-hand man," he would have tapped his forehead, and suggested a lunatic asylum. The boys thought Archie had sobered down too soon. His mother began to fear that the air of the counting- room did not suit him : and Dr. Alec was deluded into the belief that the fellow really began to " think of Rose ; " he came so often in the evening, seeming quite contented to sit beside her work-table, and snip tape, or draw patterns, while they chatted. No one observed that, though he talked to Rose on these occasions, he looked at Phebe, in her low chair close by, busy but silent ; for she always tried to efface herself when Rose was near, and often mourned that she was too big to keep out of sight. No matter what he talked about, Archie always saw the glossy black braids on the other side of tlie table, the damask cheek curving down into the firm white throat, and the dark % PHEBE. passion betrayed 3, a quiver of the ssed many of the obscurity of her would have de- id to his kindly ce which ran like niinon-sense, and a poet when he scd what dreams over his ledgers, in the bosom of ■ have tapped his lum. The boys too soon. His di the counting- lec was deluded began to " think evening, seeming k-table, and snip Ltted. alked to Rose on in her low chair ys tried to efface m mourned that No matter what the glossy black he damask cheek jat, and the dark 129 lashes, lifted now and then, showing eyes so deep and soft e dared not look into them long, 'fiven th'sw ft and fell with her quiet breath, the plain work she Id, and the tidy way she gathered he/ bits of thre' to a tmy bag. He seldom spoke to her; n v' V ted strmg or scissors; very rarely ventured to bung her some curious or pretty thing when ships came i„ from China: only sat and thought oft" -agmed that this was Ms parlor, this ^..woik taWe' and tney two sitting there alone a happy l^tj At this stage of the little evening drama, he would lash that he took refuge in a new form of intoxication -><1 proposed mu.ic, sometimes so abruptlv that t' -nld pause in the middle of a sentenTe L toti: -.surprised to meet a curiously excited look ^ tl 1 us,ii.illy cool, gray eyes. Then Phebe, folding up her work, would ..o to th« o " '^*^'i as at snf!ii tinios • f,.,. i\ i • i, f^."03paerew.n.e.u..„„,.j:,j:-^^^^^^^^^^ 130 ROSE IN BLOOM. h few und gentle, praises hearty and abundant ; and she poured out licr soul as freely as a sprmg gushes up when its hidden source is full. Always comely, with a large and wholesome growth, in moments such as these Phebe was beautiful with the beauty that makes a man's eye brighten with hon- est admiration, and thrills his heart with a sense of womanly nobility and sweetness. Little wonder, then, that the chief spectator of this agreeable tableau grew nightly more enamoured; and, while the elders were deep in whist, the young people were playing tliat still more absorbing game in which hearts are always trumps. Rose, having Dummy for a partner, soon discovered the fact, and lately had begun to feel as she fancied Wall must have done when Pyramus wooed Thisbe through its chinks. She was a little startled at first, then amused, then anxious, then heartily interested, as every woman is in such affairs, and willingly continued to be a medium, though sometimes she quite tingled with the electricity which seemed to pervade the air. She said nothing, waiting for Phebe to sjjeak; but Phebe was silent, seeming to doubt the truth, till doubt became impossible, then to shrink as if suddenly conscious of wrong-doing, and seize every possible pretext for absenting herself from the " girls' corner," as the pretty recess was called. The concert plan afforded excellent opportunities for doing this ; and evening after evening she slippeil PlIEBE. indaiit ; and she priiig gushes up olesome growth, 3 beautiful with ghteii with hon- with a sense of ;le wonder, tlien, jle tableau grew the elders were claying tliat still irts are always soon discovered I as she fancied s wooed Thisbe startled at first, ly interested, as lingly continued le quite tingled pervade the air. to sjjeak; but , the truth, till k as if suddenly every possible " girls' corner," it opportunities ling she slipped 131 away to practise her son^s unsfiir. «.J '^ k , wonl of co.nfort, but felt shy, - he was s k'. ^' fellow, — so ]oU I.;,, f ^ ' "«- was such a reserved "^ ^ ^^^''"" to coiK ucthLs oiil..^ u.^ • • , - "^vn way, feelino- tinf ih. . ' ^ "'''"« "' '''« xp.nts, Archie was „, n„,to .s Tfi ^''"" ••■"otions whi..h ,„i„ht nttem,,, , ^ ""''"'^ I""ko.l ut tl,n . ' " ''''•'""■ "e "ever 4 Ii«t her o™ ^i^ " T" '" ^^'^^ ^° *«■■" "^^f--- liis- fork "'!"™'="' l»-<-'ve„tc,I ,„uc|, „„ji<,„ , ',' '"' '^"^o "■■■'s in a flutter of hoi.o n,,,! f pathyand delight, about Phebe aud hi '' '^'"■ liiouse was crowded • fhn , i '"°"'-''"- '''''e l»"ke the gene 0,; ' •' "'*""""y ""■«<' '» -n.indoro^hToIifetlrZ''^'''''-^^'*-'- * , "^""' *'■"■»• ''O'V nice they look ! " « p„„ ,.. 'young to be fatherless and motherless " Z "f ' ^^g-ce to the city, if those .i Isire noT [ froper care of" » q„k. • .. ° ^^^ ^^^ taken y- know ; and pret'v Ir'T' '"^^ "'""^^ '" -''«■. k-- -eetkt snr i ;t fr/T '"" ^'" ^°" ve heard th,s Phebe Moore, and she i III 132 ROSE IN BLOOM. really has a delicious voice : such a pity she won't fit herself for opera ! " " Only sings three times to-night ; that 's modest I 'm sure, when she is the chief attrac- tion ; so we must give her an encore after the Italian piece." •" The or])hans lead off, I see : stop your ears if you like ; but don't fail to aijplaud, or the ladies will never forgive you." Chat of this sort went on briskly, while fans waved, programmes rustled, and ushers flew about distract- edly ; till an important ger.tlenian appeared, made his bow, skipped upon the leader's stand, and with a wave of his baton caused a general uprising of white pin- afores, as the orphans led off with that much-endurii.g melody, " America," in shrill small voices, but with creditable attention t j time and tune. Pity and pa- triotism produced a generous round of applause ; and the little girls sat down, beaming with innocent satis- faction. An instrumental piece followed, and then a youthful gentleman, with his hair in picturesque confusion, and what his friends called a " musical brow," bounded up the steps, and, clutching a roll of music with a pair of tightly gloved hands, proceeded to inform the audi- ence, in a husky tenor voice, that " It was a lovely violet." What else the song contained in the way of sense or sentiment it was impossible to discover ; as the three pages of music appeared to consist of v.ariations upon -'^ PIIEBE. >ity she won't fit ! times to-night ; the chief nttrac- ifter the Itiilian stop your e;irs d, or the ladies liile fans waved, about diiStract- 3ared, made his nd with a wave ^ of white pin- muc'li-endurii.g oices, but with . Pity and pa- applause ; and innocent satis- then a youtliful ! confusion, and v," bounded up 5 with a pair of form the audi- way of sense or - ; as the three ^^ariations upon 133 '■■■'->■■-. when h„ r.Z'Z\lf " "°'"" ^""° -.u with a'it^; 4'T: ,', ^."«'' »""»'""S D,.. A,.... •he .cade,.., stancT,^; :.'::"! "" T"' '""'-'"■'' toward the ..iojr.,1 ' ' "" "''' '""'^'^ She forgot to glance at Arcliic an,I if Pe;ha,.; for hi. heart was ^,!:^-::'Z:rZ^f »8 ho waited for l,is Phebe Not frn ^' --t o..t fro™ „,„„„, „, :hi.i';::, :';:tr; unseen n the shifln^r r.f *i, >viRie she had sat ". her w,,.: d , e. ;r"' "'""' ""'^'^ ^"^"^ «ne hair a„d a white Z::^rZ:TV" T >>"t quite ootnposed, ap„are„tlv \ '^ P"'"' »'°-lv through the n:.rCZl'i : ^^ liol.Iino- i,,^ck he,. .1,- , , "Pturned faces, again.' .:', ^f^^ '-t the, shonid r,.de>, ,rU -t,howedha3ti.;:„t„, :.e:::::;:™'^''^ ■ Pnnist, stood waitino- to bo^in l" ''''*''^"^- ■ g'-^at gilt clock at tlTo 1 ? ' ■ "^'' ^""'"^ ^'^ the fe ''"(^^ at the opposite end of the hall on an eager, girli,,, „„nntena.fce b ' d^. f '"'■"" '""t ; then, with her ha,tv ht Me, u^ '■'"" " ''•""' b.-.ck among the child eT T , ' ''" '*■""' "J-'^'^'r .he passed, len.Tfr. ''■'P''"'' ™" ""'"'J'"' -» t Every oLe ! K , """^ *^ ''""«<' «he had s„r. p > one courteous], followed their example: b^t 134 RO^E IN BLOOM. there was no enthusiasm, and it was evident that Phebo had not produced a ])articularly favorable im- pression. " Never sang so badly in her life," muttered Charlie, irefully. " She was frightened, poor thing. Give her time, give her time," said Uncle j\[ac, kindly. "I saw she was, and I glared like a gorgon, but she never looked at me," added Steve, smoothing his gloves and his brows at the same time. " That first song was the hardest, and she got through much better than I expected," put in Dr. Alec, bound not to show the disappointment ho felt. "Don't be troubled. Phebe has courage enough for any thing, and she '11 astonish you before the even- ing 's over," prophesied Mac, with unabated confi- dence ; for he knew something that the rest did not. Rose said nothing, but, under cover of her burnous, gave Archie's hand a sympathetic squeeze ; for his arm-; were unfolded now, as if the strain was over, and one lay on his knee, while with the other he wiped his hot forehead with an air of relief. Friends about them murmured complimentary fibs, and affected great delight and surprise at Miss Moore's "charming style," "exquisite simplicity," and "un- doubted talent." But strangers freely criticised, and Rose was so indigjiant at some of their remarks she could not listen to any thing upon the stage, though a fine overture was played, a man with a remarkable PUEBE. 13/1 evident that favorable iin- tered Charlie, ive hor time, Ja- rgon, but she inoothiug his c got through . Alec, bouud irage enough 'ore the even- abated lonfi- BSt did not. her burnous, 'cze ; for his w'as over, and he wiped his mentary fibs, Miss Moore's ," and "un- ritieised, and remarks she Jtage, tliough I remarkable bass voice growled and roared melodiously, an been promised, and trotting bravely across the sta.-e, < voice "n'"'/'" '""'" """'"■■'^' ^■■'^'•"S '" •"■■•^ '«^T .voc., "D,s for yon, ma'am;" then, stareled by tho -..1, en outburst of applause, she bid her face i„ PI'ehe s gown, and began to sob with fri.d,t An awkward minute for poor Phebe ;' but she showed unexpected presence of mind, and left behind l.er a pretty picture of tho oldest and tho youn.^cst o.T.ha„, as she went quickly down the step, sun-ilng over he great bouquet with the l>aby on he; a„n. ' Nobody n,„,ded the closing piece ; for pco,,le bc^an t" go sleepy children to be carried off, and whis^r" giew mto a buzz of conversation r,. ,i fusion n, 1 , , '■"""^"'•"""i- I" the general eon- f Mon, Rose looked to see if Steve had ren.emher,.,! k.> proMuse to help Phe,,e slip away before th,. rush ba->. No, there he was putting on Kitty's cloak tu. obhvmus of any other duty ; and, turni^lg to ask >anL ,■''''■''.'■''"" ''"'''' ">^' "-^ had already ,anished, leavmg his gloves behind him. 340 ROSE IN BLOOM. " Have you lost any thing ? " asked Dr. Alec, catch- ing a gliinpse of her face. " No, sir, I 've found something," she whispered back, giving him the gloves to pocket along with her fan and glass, adding hastily as the concert ended, "Please, uncle, tell them all not to come with us. Phebe has had enough excitement, and ought to rest." Rose's; word was law to the family in all things con- cerning Phebe. So word was passed that there were to be no congratulations till to-morrow, and Dr. Alec got his party off as soon as possible. But all the way home, while he and Aunt Plenty were prophesying a brilliant future for the singer. Rose sat rejoicing over the happy present of the woman. She was sure that Archie had spoken, and imagined the whole scene with feminino delight, — how tenderly he had asked the momentous question, how gratefully Phebe had given the desired re^dy, and now how both were enjoying that delicious hour which Rose had been given to understand never came but once. Such a pity to shorten it, she thought ; and begged her uncle to go home the longest way : the night was so mild, the moonlight so clear, and herself so in need of fresh air after the excitement of the evening. " I thought you would want to rush into Phebe's arms the instant she got d-ne," said Aunt Plenty, innocently wondering at the whims girls took into their heads. « So I should if I consulted my o.wn wishes ; but as Dr. Alec, catch- she whispered along with her concert ended, come with us. I ought to rest." ti all things con- that there were 7, and Dr. Alec But all the way 3 prophesying a t rejoicing over e was sure that '^hole scene with had asked the liebe had given were enjoying been given to ?uch a pity to ler uncle to go is so mild, the need of fresh h into Phebe's Aunt Plenty, jirls took into Wishes \ but as PHEBE. 141 I Phebe ask^ to be let alone I want to gratify her " |.nd:i;:dr::;:"^"^'^^^''-^--'^ > As the old lady's rheumatism forbade their driWn.. , Jbout tdl nndnight, home was reached much too ^ K<> e lunaght, and tripped asvay to warn the lovers thJ ;-tant she entered the house. But study, parlor, ad b.nulou- were empty; and, when Jane ap Led 'J^h cake and wme, she reported that" Miss Phebe went " Tiiat isn't at all like Phebe : I hope she isn't ill " began Aunt Plenty, sitting down to toast her 11 ' ^he may be a little hysterical ; for she is a proud 1; ng and represses her emotions as long as she en s ep ,„, ,,, ,, ^,^ ^^^^^^^,^ ^^^« ^ ^ J -. " !^^' "^' '^'^ '« «"Iy tired. 1 '11 run up to her • she " ^""^ •"''"•■'J'^ •"*'^» l'eo,.le queer, I Ve heard ■ ,o -'.'Pose they settled it .„ i„ \, J^rri^ J TJ 'Z -'■''"'■« -na..y to think ..out he; Cpil: '% 11 142 ROSE IN BLOOM. alone. I '11 not disturb her. Why, Phebe ! " added Rose, suri)ri8ed ; for, entering her room, there was the cantatrice, busy about the nightly services she always rendered her little mistress. " I 'm waiting for you, dear. Where have you been so long ? " asked Phebe, poking the fire as if anxious to get some color into cheeks that were unnaturally pale. The instant she spoke. Rose knew that something was w-rong, and a glance at her face confirmed vie fear. It was like a dash of cold water, and quenched her happy fancies in a moment ; but being a delicate- minded girl she respected Phebe's mood, and asked no questions, made no comments, and left her friend to speak or be silent as she chose. " I was so excited I would take a turn in the moon- light to calm my nerves. O dearest Phebo, I am so glad, so proud, so full of wondl^- at your courage and skill and sweet ways altogether, that I cannot half tell you how I love and honor you ! " she cried, kissing the white cheeks with such tender warmth they could not help glowing faintly, as Phebe held her little mis- tress close, sure that nothing could disturb this inno- cent affection. . " It is all your work, dear ; because but for you I might still be scrubbing floors, and hardly dare to dream of any thing like this," she said, in her old grateful way ; but in her voice there Avas a thrill of something deeper than gratitude, and at the last two -to J* PHE3E. 148 ebe ! " added thcM-e was the 38 she always lavo you been as if anxious e unnaturally lat something 3onfirmed vie and quenched [12 a delicate- and asked no her friend to in the raoon- hebe, I am so r courage and annot half tell cried, kissing ith they could her little mis- urb this inno- but for you I ardly dare to id, in her old ^as a thrill of fc the last two words ler hear! went np with a gesture of soft pride as It It had been newly crowned. Rose heard and sav and guessed the meaning of both tone and gesture ; feeling that her Phebe deserved both the singer's iHurel and the bride's myrtle wreath. I 13ut slie only looked up, saying very wistfully _ forT"'" '^ ^'"' ^''" '' ^'""^'^'^ "'^^'' ^°' ^^^" ^' ^^" ''^^ " The happiest of my life, and the hardest," answered Phehe r.«y,as she looked away from the question- " Yo,. should have let us come nearer and help you " I have to be ; for sometimes I feel as if I had noth- ing e se to keep me up." She stopped short there, fear- ing that her vo.ee would prove traitorous if she went . j",'.d,-" "'°"""' *' •■'"'''' '" " *°"^ *'"" "™ ^tao^t t "You think I did well to-ni.>ht?" to lome':" "h "d "' T" '™™''^'' '""8''"^^'' *ey wanted to come m a body and tell you so; but I sent them |onu. beeause I knew you 'd be tired out. Perhap" Jough ,, ,„, ,„,,^ .^_^^^ _^^ .haps .'fad a crowd about you than just me? " X2ll ^/''''r' *•''"« '"^ ^^-^ *''- »J what * PJ"''^ -Wom called her that, and when ..he did her ' an was m the little word, making it so teudetha tLa t .,. 144 ROSE IN BLOOM. Rose thought it the sweetest in the world, next to Uncle Alec's "ray little girl." Now it was alniost passionate, and Phebe's face grew rather tragical as she looked down at Rose. It was impossible to seem un- conscious any longer, and Rose said, caressing Phebe's cheek, which burned with a feverish color now, — " Then don't shut me out if you have a trouble ; but let me share it as I let you share all mine." « I will ! Little mistress, I 've got to go away, sooner even than we planned." "Why, Phebe?" " Because — Archie loves me." " That 's the very reason you should stay and make him happy." " Not if it caused dissension in the family, and you know it would." Rose opened her lips to deny this i-ipetuously, but checked herself and answered honestly, — " Uncle and I would be heartily glad ; and I 'm sure Aunt Jessie never could object, if you loved Archie as he does you." " She has other hopes, I think ; and kind as she is it would be a disappointment if he brought me home. She is right ; they all are, and I alone am to blame. I should have gone long ago : I knew I should ; but it was so pleasant I couldn't bear to go away alone." " I kept you, and I am to blame if any one ; but indeed, dear Phebe, I cannot see why you should care even if Aunt Myra croaks, and Aunt Clara exclaims, PHEBE. world, next to i it was Jilinost ir tragical os she ble to seem un- aressing Phebe's olor now, — e a trouble ; but ine." I go away, sooner 145 I stay and make family, and you impetuously, but id ; and I 'm sure 1 loved Archie as I kind as she is it •ought me home, ne am to blame. I should ; but it away alone." if any one ; but ( you should care t Clara exclaims, or Aunt Jane makes disagreeable remarks. Be hannv a..d never mind them," eried Rose; so mueh excited by all h,s that she felt the spirit of revolt rise up w.th,„ her, and was ready to defy even that awe msp'nng .nst.tution "the family" for her friend's But Phebe shook her head with a sad smile : and answered, still with the hard tone in her voice 'as « fo.cmg back all emotion that she might see her duty " r.„ could do that, but / never can. Answer me th , Rose, and answer truly as y„„ ,ove me. If y„„ J d been aken into a house, a friendless, penniless orlorn gn-l, and for years been heaped with ben efi s fusted, taught, loved, and made, oh, so happy ,r„d you thn.k jt right to steal away something' t''; he g «1 people valued very much? To have them f tbat you had been ungrateful, had deceived the^ Z ' «^ea„t to thrust yourself into a high place notl't f you; when they had been generol,/ el.nTyout o .er ways, far more than you deserved, cfuld yo^ ^hon say as you do now, -Be happy and nevTr mLd befI:e?ofee!rtlntt;^""^"""^'»^--'^^ tbo black eyes wire fulf?" ''T'' " ''«'«' '- ri^t^aH'-"^''"^^^^^^^ a^iily to have become n x,.oi-o^ m. ^"^ bt unv/lc f -^ here was no need »o.ds to answer the questions so swiftly asked; f!r 10 146 ROSE IN BLOOM. it ^ Rose put licrsc'lf in Phebe's place in the drawing of a breath, and her own pride made her truthfully J i-'ply^ — " No : I could not ! " "I knew you 'd say that, and help me do my duty ;" and all the coldness melted out of Phebe's manner, as she hugged her little mistress close, feeling the comfort pi sympathy even through the blunt sincerity of Rose's words. >• I will if I know how. Now come and tell me all about it ;" and, seating herself in the great chair which had often held them both. Rose stretched out her hands as if glad and ready to give help of any sort. But Phebe would not tc.ke her accustomed place ; for, as if coming to confession, she knelt down upon the rug, and, leaning on the arm of the chair, told her love-story in the simplest words. " I never thought he cared for me until a little while ago. I fancied it was you, and even when I knew he liked to hear me sing I supposed it was because you helped ; and so I did my best, and was glad you were to be a happy girl. But his eyes told the truth ; then I saw Avhat I had been doing, and was frightened. He did not speak ; so I believed, what is quite true, that he felt I was not a fit wife for him, and would never ask me. It was right : I was glad of it, yet I was proud ; and, though I did not ask or hope for any thing, I did want him to see that I respected myself, remembered my duty, and could do right as well as he. I kept away ; I planned to go as soon as possible, and PHEBE. 147 -solvod that at this concert I would do so well h„ J™M not ,,e.ha,„ed of poo,. Ph.he „;;::"„!: -It was this that ,„ade you so strange, then • nrc f<.'mng to go alone, „nd refusing every KmIZ: ^ ■ <>- hands ? " asked Rose, feelin,: very su " 1 T ■■" ro- " So you (lid : but tiio smile was full nf % pride, as I wanted it to be • and T , I ! -^^^^ ""' "^ Uee behind the oJl / r '^'^ ^"'^ ^ ^'-^^'k ir uxiiu ine organ, feelino- ready to tJii ,. (How angry and miserable I tvas i I 1 ^'""'^• flenched my ,,,,,ds, and vowed !« T T >7, "'"'' ;«t time, or never sing anotL 1' T w "^" Jesperate when mv fn, ^'^® *i"ite i ^ >viiLn my turn oam« '^nrl f;:i- •? - ''^i^nost anything- fo, T ' ' \ '' '^ ' "'^"^^^ Z^mng, fo, I remembered that he was f 148 ROSE IN BLOOM. there. I 'ni not sure how it was, but it seeniud as if I was all voice; for I let myself go, trying to forget every thing except that two people must not bo disap- pointed, though I died when the song was done." "O Phebe, it was splendid! I nearly cried, I was so proud and glad to -c you do yourself justice at last." "And he?" whispered Phebe, with her face half hidden on the arm of the chair. " Said not a word : but I saw his lips tremble and his eyes shine ; and I knew he was the hai)piest creat- ure there, because I was sure he did think you fit to be his wife, and did mean to speak very soon." Phebe made no answer for a momept, seeming to forget the small success in the greater one which fol- lowed, and to comfort her sore heart with the knowl- edge that Rose was right. " He sent the flowers ; he came for me, and, on the way home, showed me how wrong I had been to doubt him for an hour. Don't ask me to tell that part, but be sure /was the happiest creature in the world then." And Phebe hid her face again, all wet with tender tears, that fell soft and sudden as a summer shower. Rose let them flow undisturbed, while she silently caressed the bent head ; wondering, with a wistful look in her own wet eyes, what this mysterious pas- sion was, which could so move, ennoble, and beautify the beings whom it blessed. An imp'ertinent little clock upon the chimney-piece led as if I to forget ' be (lisiii)- iiie." Led, I was justice at face half nible and iest creat- you fit to • eming to k^liich fol- ic knowl- d, on the to doubt l)art, but ■Id then." ;h tender lower, i silently 1 wistful ious pas- beautify icy-pieco BREAK /'JUS AHEAD. 149 stnk.ng cloven broke the silenee, and reminded PIhOk. th.-.t she could not indulge in love-droMms there. SI,, started up, brushed off Ikw tears, and said resolutely, - - That is enough for to-night. Go happily to bed and leave the troubles for to-morrow." "But Phcbc, I must know what you sai.l," ericd Rose l.ke a child defrauded of half its bedtime story " I said ' No,' " "Al,! but it will change to 'Yes' by and by • I 'm sure of that: so I'lllet you go to dream of 'him.' Ihe^Campbells «r. rather proud of being desccn.lants of Robert Bruce ; but they have common-sense and love you dearly, as you 'II see to-morrow " "Perhaps." And, with a good-night kiss, poor Phebe went away, to lie awake till dawn. CHAPTKR VIII. BREAKERS AHEAD. ^raiOUS to smooth the way for Phebe, Rose was up betimes, and slipped into Aunt Plenty's loon^ before the old lady had got her cap on. ^ Aunty, I 've something pleasant to tell you : and «'Iule you listen, I '11 brush your h.i., as y^lL^ •d , 1 ■ m g ' ^ Wr'' & %'-■■ 'iM I tm I 150 ROSE IN BLOOM. have me," she begnn, well fiwnre that the proposed process Avas a very soothing one. " Yes, dear : only don't be too particular, because I'm late and must hurry doAvn, or Jane won't get things straight; and it does fidget me to have the salt-cellars uneven, the tea-strainer forgotten, and your uncle's paper not aired," returned Miss Plenty, briskly unrolling the two gray curls she wore at her temples. Then Rose, brushing away at the scanty back-liair, led skilfully up to the crisis of her tale by describing Phebe's panic and brave eiforts to conquer it ; all about the flowers Archie sent her ; and how Steve forgot, and dear, thoughtful Archie took his place. So far it went well, and Aunt Plenty was full of in- terest, sympathy, and approbation ; but when Rose added, as if it was quite a matter of course, " So, on the way home, he told her he loved her," a great start twitched the gray locks out of her hands as the old lady turned round, with the little curls standing erect, exclaiming, in undisguised dismay, — " Not seriously. Rose ? " " Yes, Aunty, very seriously. He never jokes about such things." " Mercy on us ! what shall v e do about it ?" " Nothing, ma'am, but be as glad as we ought, and congratulate him as soon as si u says 'Yes.'" " Do you mean to say she didn't accept at once ?" " She never will if we don't welcome her as kindly as if sho belonged to one of our best iamilies, and I don't blame her." "t BREAKERS AHEAD. 151 le proposed lar, because 3 won't get :o have the m, and your }nty, briskly 3r temples. by back-liair, y describing :juer it ; all how Steve Ic his place. s full of in- when Rose rse, " So, on \ great start 5 as the old mding erect, • jokes about it?" e ought, and at once ? " ler as kindly .milies, and I "I'm glad the girl has so much sense. Of course we can't do any thing of tlie sort ; and I 'm surprised at Archie's forgetting what lie owes to the family in this rash manner. Give me my cap, child: I inust speak to Alec at once." And Aunt Plenty twisted her hair into a button at the back of her head with one energetic twirl. "Do speak kindly, Aunty, and remember that it was not Phebe's fault. She never thought of this till very lately, and began at once to prepare for going away," said Rose, pleadingly. " She ougiit to have gone long ago. I told Myra we should have trouble scmewhere as soon as I saw what a good-looking creature she was; and here it is as bad as can be. Dear, dear ! why can't young people have a little prudence ? " "I don't see that any one need object if Uncle Jem and Aunt Jessie approve ; and I do think it will bo very, very unkind to scold poor Phebe for being well- bred, pretty, and good, after doing all we could to make her so." "Child, you don't understand these things yet; but you ought to feel your duty toward your family, and do all you can to keep the name as honorable as it always has been. What do you suppose our blessed ancestress. Lady Marget, would say to our oldest boy taking a wife from the poor-house ? " As she spoke, Miss Plenty looked up, almost appre. Pensively, at one of the wooden-faced old portraits ! 1 1 ' !l. I 152 ROSE IN BLOOM. with which her room was hung, as if asking pardon of the severe-nosed matron, Avho stared back at her from under the sort of blue dish-cover which formed lier head-gear. " As Lady Marget died about two hundred years ago, I don't care a pin what she wouhl say ; especially as she looks like a very narrow-minded, haughty woman. But I do care very much what Miss Plenty Campbell says ; for she is a very sensible, generous, discreet, and dear old lady, who wouldn't hurt a fly, much less a good and faithful girl who has been a sister to me. Would she ? " entreated Rose, knowing well that the elder aunt led all the rest more or less. But Miss Plenty had her cap on now, and conse- quently felt herself twice the woman she was without it ; so she not only gave it a somewhat belligerent air by setting it well up, but she shook her head decidedly, smoothed down her stiff white apron, and stood up as if ready for battle. " I shall do my duty, Rose, and expect the same of others. Don't say any more now : I must turn the matter over in my mind ; for it has come upon me sud- denlyj and needs serious consideration." With which unusually solemn address, she took up her keys and trotted away, leaving her niece to follow with an anxious countenance, uncertain whether her championship had done good or ill to the cause she had at heart. She was much cheered by the sound of Phebe's voice iking pardoti back at her /hich formed Lindred years y ; especially led, liaughty Miss Plenty le, generous, t hurt a fly, ) has been a ose, knowing ore or less. /■, and conse- was without Blligerent air ad decidedly, stood up as the same of ust turn the upon me sud- she took up ece to follow wh(3ther her Jie cause she Phebe's voice BREAKERS AHEAD. l.^JJ in the study; for Rose was sure that if Uncle Alec Avas on their side all would be well. But the clouds lowered again when they eame in to breakfast • for Phebe's heavy eyes and pale cheeks did not look en- ^ couraging; Avhile Dr. Alec was as sober as a judge and sent an inquiring glance toward Kose now and' • I then as if curious to discover how she bore the news I An uncomfortable meal, though all tried to seem 'is ' usual, and talked over last night's events with all the , . interest they could. But the old peace was disturbed I by a word, as a pebble thrown into a quiet pool sends tell-tale cn-cles rippling its surface far and wider. A unt '^ 1 lenty, while "turning the subject over in her miu.i " also secmied intent on upsetting every thing she touched, and made sad havoc in her tea-tray ; Dr I Alec unsociably read his paper; Rose, having salted :^ instead of sugared her oatmeal, absently ate it feeling , to the sweetness had gone out of every thing; and ^ Phebe, atter choking down a cup of tea and crun.blin. I a roll, excused herself, and went away, sternly resolving ^ not to be a bone of contention to this beloved family ^ As soon as the door was sh.it. Rose pushed away Iher plate and going to Dr. Alec peeped over the 1 irorce""' '"'^ '" '"'''"' ^'""" '^'' ^^' ^''' '' ^^«^"' "IJncle, this is a serious matter, and loe must take four stand at once; for you are Phebe's guardian an.l iC!::^!r!:'^-,^-^-^^^l-tysolen You have often been disappointed iitiii t-y. in me," she con- i"^ trnttmum ^immm i 154 EOSE iN BLOOM. tinned, " but I know I never shall b i in you ; because you are too wise and good to let any worldly pride or prudence spoil your sympathy with Archie and our Phebe. You won't desert the in, will you ? " " Never ! " ansv^'^ered Dr. Alec, with gratifying energy. "Thanl. you! thank you !" cried Rose. "Now, if I have you and aunty on my side, I 'ni not afraid of anybody." " Gently, gently, child I don't intend to desert the lovers ; but I certainly shall advise them to con- sider well what they are about. I '11 own I am rather disappointed ; because Archie is young to decide his life in this way, and Phebe's career seemed settled in another fashion. Old people don't like to have their plans upset, you know," he added, more lightly ; for Rose's face fell as he went on. " Old people shouldn't plan too much for the young ones then. We are very grateful, I 'ra sure ; but we cannot always be disposed of in the most prudent and sensible way ; so don't set your hearts on little arrange- ments of that sort, I beg," and Rose looked wondrous wise ; for she could not help suspecting even her best uncle of " plans " in her behalf. " You are quite right : we shouldn't ; yet it is very hard to help it," confessed Dr. Alec, with a conscious air; and, returning hastily to the lovers, he added kindly, — " I was much pleased with the straightforward way in which Phebe came to me this morning, and told me BREAKERS AHEAD. 155 you ; because worldly pride Lrchie and our .u?" tifying energy, ^se. "Now, if 1 not afraid of end to desert them to con- n I am rather to decide his ned settled in to have their re lightly; for for the young sure ; but we it prudent and little arrange- ►ked wondrous even her best yet it is very :h a conscious ers, he added itforward way g, and told me all about it, as if I really was her guardian. She did not own it in words : but it was perfectly evident that she loves Archie with all her heart ; yet, knowing the objections which will be made, very sensibly'' and bravely proposes to go away at once, and end the mat- ter,— as if tliat were possible, poor child," and the tender-hearted man gave a sigh of sympathy that did Rose good to hear, and mollified her rising indignation at the bare idea of ending Phebe's lovc affairs in sucli a summary way. " You don't think she ought to go, I hope ? " " I think she will go." '' We must not let her." " We have no right to keep her." " uncle ! surely we have ! Our Phebe, whc . we all love so much." « You forget that she is a woman now, and we have no claim upon her. Because M'e 've befriended her for years is the very reason we should not make our bene- fits a Durden, but leave her free; and, if she .hooses to do this in spite of Archie, we must let her with a God-speed." T^' - . Rose could answer, Aunt Plenty spoke out i'' .' oar saving authority ; for old-fashioned ways were d - to her soul, and she thought even love affairs should be conducted with a proper regard to the ..powers that be. I " The family must talk the matter over and decide What IS best for the children, who of course will listen 156 ROSE IN BLOOM. to reason and do notliing ill-ndviscd. For my part. I am quite upset by the news, but shall not, commit myself till I 'vc seen Jessie and the boy. Jane, clear away, and brin? riie the hot water." That ended the niornii)<'; conference ; and, leaving the old lady to soothe her iwnd hy polisf ing spoons and washing cups, Rose weuv iwny to find Phebe, while the doctor retired to laui/.u over the downfall of brother Mac's match-making schemes. The Campbells did not gossip about their concerns in public ; but, being n very united family, it had long been the custom to " talk over " any interesting event which occurred to any member thereof, and every one gave his or lies- opinion, advice, or censure with the utmost candor. Therefore the first engagement, if such it could be called, created a great sensation, among the aunts especially; and they were in as much of a flutter as a flock of maternal birds when their young begin to hop out of the nest. So at all hours the excellent ladies were seen excitedly nodding their caps together, as they discussed the affair in all its bearings, without ever arriving at any unanimous de- cision. The boys took it much more calmly. Mac was the only one who came out strongly ^n Archie's favor. Charlie thought the Chief ought do better, and called Phebe " a siren, who had bewitched the sage youth." Steve was scandalized, and delivered long orations upon one's duty to society, keeping the old BREAKERS AHEAD. 157 or my part, I not commit . Jano, clear and, leaving siiing spoons find Phebe, e downfall of leir concerns y, it had long 'estiiioc event nd every one lire with the gagoment, if at sensation, re in as much 3 when their at all hours lodding their "air in all its nanimous de- Mac was the rchie's favor. ) better, and lied the sage elivered long jping the old name up, and the danger of mesalliances ; while all the tune he secretly sympathized witli Archie, being much smitten with KiUy Van himself. Will and Geordie unfortunately home for the holidays, considered it » a joll}- lark;" and little Jamie nearly drove his elder brother distracted by curious inquiries as to "how folks felt when they were in love." Uncle Mac's dismay was so comical that it kept Dr Alec m good spirits; for he alone knew how deep was t le deluded man's chagrin at the failure of the little plot which he fancied was prospering finely. "I '11 never set my heart on any thing of the sort agam; andthe young rascals may marry whom they like. I m prepared for any thing now : so if Steve brings home the washerwoman's daughter, and Mac .runs away with our pretty chamber-maid, I shall say, I Bless you my children,' with mournful resignation .Jfor, upon my soul, that is all that 's left for a modern Iparent to do." With which tragic burst, poor Uncle Mac washed Hs hands .of re whole affair, and buried himself in Mie countmg-house while the storm rao-ed About this time, Archie might hav^^ echoed Rose's ^ ^ ^b wish, that she had not quite so many aunts ; -# the tongues of those interested relatives made sad ^^rveml ? 'f" ''""""^^' ^"^ «^^^^«^^ ^-^ *« lo"g -e ly for a c^sert island, where he co.id woo and ^ . ^.s love in delicious peacn. That nothing of the ^^- ^vas possible soon became evident; since every i 158 ROSE IN BLOOM. word uttered only confirmed Phebe's resolution to go aAvay, and proved to Rose how mistaken she had been in believing that she could bring every one to her way of thinking. Prejudices are unmanageable things ; and the good aunts, like most women, possessed a plentiful supply : so Rose found it like beating her head against a wall to try and convince them that Archie was wise in lov- ing poor Phebe. His mother, who had hoped to have Rose for her daughter,— not because of her fortune, but the tender affection she felt for her, — put away her dis- appointment without a word, and welcomed Phebe as kindly as she could for her boy's sake. But the girl felt the truth with the quickness of a nature made sensitive by love, and clung to her resolve all the more tenaciously, though gratefid for the motherly words that would have been so sweet if genuine happiness had prompted them. Aunt Jane called it romantic nonsense, and advised strong measures, — " kind, but firm, Jessie." Aunt Clara was sadly distressed about " what people would say " if one of " our boys " married a nobody's daugh- ter. And Aunt Myra not only seconded her views by painting portraits of Phebe's unknown relations in the darkest colors, but uttered direful prophecies regard- ing the disreputable beings who would start up in swarms the moment the girl made a good match. These suggestions so wrought upon Aunt Plenty that she turned a deaf ear to the benevolent emotions BREA KERS A HE A D. 159 solution to go fcslie had been ne to her way and the good ntiful supply : against a wall as wise in lov- hoped to have er fortune, but : away her dis- ned Phebe as But the girl nature made e all the more otherly words line happiness 3, and advised Fessie." Aunt ; people would Dbody's daugli- il her views by •elations in the )hecies regard- d start up in jood match. Aunt Plenty olent emotions native to her l^reast, and taking refuge behind « our blessed ancestress, Lady Marget," refused to sanction iiny engagement which could bring discredit upon the Itainless name which was her pride. So it all ended where it began ; for Archie steadily refused to listen to any one but Phebe, and she as steadily reiterated her bitter " No ; " fortifying herself half unconsciously with the hope that, by and by, when she had won a name, fate might be kinder. While the rest talked, she had been working ; for •very hour showed her that her instinct had been a tone one, and pride would not let her stay, though fove pleaded eloquently. So, after a Christmas any ^ing but merry, Phebe packed her trunks, rich in gifts finm those who generously gave her all but the ', pausing, in his walk up and down the hall, glan at her with the quick, bright look she liked b : into his eyes. " No, sir, and that 's the sad part of it ; but I 've made up my mind to stop while I can, because I 'iii sure it is not good for me. I 've had some very sober thoughts lately ; for, since my Phebe went away, I 've had no heart for gayety : so ii is a good place to stop ^'LlV-VEAItS CALLS. 161 eps on Dr. ^ 1 ' is always waiting iY that, and God b a paternal kias be never did. a new leaf, is I I biiall fin a on ; down on Ncm- xud a thick letter asked her ul ■, lie hall, j^lance le liked - b x ) of it ; but I 've can, because I 'm some very sober went away, I 've ood place to stop ™,1 make a fresh .tart," answered Ra»e, taking hi, arm, and walking on witli him "An exoelient tin.e! N„w, how are yon goi„. to ni eacI„ngvoid?"hen,ked,weIl,,,LJ ° By trymg to be as nnselfish, brave, and good as »l- .»•• An., Itee held t„. letter against hefboson iKT wuh a desire to be as Self-reliant " r ',.. ..t abont living in earnest, as She',::; thglfr:;?;,: T',,, ,1- , ' ■n^i'":'! out for her 1 m n«,l„ng h„t :, ..„n„„on.j,la.. sort of gir,, with no e.Hl of relations to be consnl .J every thne T 7 »"■' a dreadful fortnne han.i... like il "" ' «....eck,toweighmedo;nlf'ttry:'rVra' iiiid case, uncle, and r o-M !„,„ • .' " '* » tl.iuk about it," s Id Rot "" T"" "''^■" ^ Wessings. ' ''P1"-<''»<'J '"ti' her "Afflicted chil.1! how can 1 relieve you?" And "P,er:r-7T' ""= ■"'■"' -p- W« -m. .i.|o.ishn,er::ri::nh^„?,:rhr::r"-" ^ , mstead of doing gre.t things." ie*i::rx ""''""• ^--^ownwith ^- iuijung, and see vom- I.onop.. ni. ^^'ady, and Mrs. Garder- ' " - ^''^' '"'"^ ^^^ has half u dozen 11 poor souls ■^ 162 HOSE IN 111.00 M. we™ he docto,, „n,.„„t,y, g,ad to get his girf'back •.g.nn though not »ur,,nse,l th„t .he still looked with l^^-etful eye, at the Vanity Fair, always so enticin, when we are young. " one to those ,,o„r souls at least. I •„. so sorry that i I help Aunty Pl,.n rece.ve. We haven't been here for ^o long that she has set her heart on having a grand tune tcday; and I partienlarly want to fLse her, b cause I have not been as amiable as I ou,ht lately I aly couldn^ forgive her for siding against Phebe." no bl me her. I a,n going to n.ake my New-Year's I 11 get the hst of names from Mrs. G., and tell the poor lad>es with Miss Can.pbell's eonrpliments, that their new home is ready. Shall I'i" "Yes, unelo, but take all the credit to yourself; for I never should have thought of it if y„„ had not pro- posed the plan." ^ "Bless your heart! I'm only your agent, and sug. gest now and then. I 've nothing to offer but advice : so I lavish that on all occasions." " You have nothing because you 've given your sub- stance all aw.ay as generously as you do your advice. Never mmd: you si, !1 never con.e to want while I .ve. I 11 save enough for us two, though I do make dncks and drakes of my forfnne,' " NEW-YEABS CALLS. 163 Ijc word," an- il is girl back 1 looked with 3 80 enticing year a hap])y arry that it 's know I must 3en here for iiig a grand please her, Juglit lately, nst Phebe." so we must ^ew- Year's n that way, md tell the ments, that Jurself; for ad not pi-o- it, and sug- but advice : I your sub- )ur advice. lit while I I do make Dr. Alec laughed at the toss of the head with which «he quoted Charlie's offensive words, then offered to take the letter, saying, as he looked at his watch _ "I '11 post that for you in time for the early mail J like a run before breakfast." But Rose heM her lett.,- fa.t, ,li,„pli„g with «,„|,le„ smiles, half merry and half shy. "No, tha„k yo„, sir: Archie likes to Jo that, and »ever f,„b to call for all I write. He gets a peep at Phcbe. m return, and I cheer him „p a bit; for, though he says nothing, he has a har.l ti,ne of it, poor " How many letters in five days ? " J^Vp sir, to me : she doesn't write to him, "As yet. Well, you show hers: so it's all riaht ■ and you are a set of sentimental youngsters." And the doctor walked away, looking .as if he enjoyed the sentiment as much as .any of them 01,1 Miss aampbell was nearly as gre.at a favorite as young Miss Cam,,bell; so a succession of black coats and whue gloves flowe.l in and out of the hospitable mansion pretty steadily all day. The elan were out in Z7l7; T °"'T ^' """■''"""*' *° P-y "'^'^ duty 10 Aunt Plenty, and wish the compliments of the sea- saTV r'.r"""" ^"'"^ '*P^^-^^ fl.-st, looking d t steadfast, and went away with Phebe's letter ^" his left breast-pocket; feeling that life wa.- .till en. a-abl e, though his love was torn from him for Rose I ■ r *r fi. • 164 ROSE IN BLOOM. had inaiiy comfortable things to say, and read him delicious bits from the voluminous correspondence lately begun. Hardly Mas he gone, when Will and Geordie came marching in, looking as fine as gray uniforms with much scarlet piping could make them, and feeling pecuharly important, as this was their first essay in New- Year's call-making. Brief Avas their stay, for they planned to visit every friend they had ; and Rose could not helj) laughing at the droll mixture of manly dignity ans; for, though often blunt in speech when ]\rac did do a tender thing, it always touched her; because he seemed to understand her moods so well. "Has Archie been here? He said he shouldn't go nnywhere else ; but I hope you talked that nonsense out of his head," said Steve, settling his tie before the mirror. "Yes, dear, became; but looked so out of spirits, T really felt reproached. Rose cheered him up a little ' hut I don't believe he will feel equal to making calls and I hope he won't; for his face tells the whole story much too i)lainly," answered Aunt Plenty, rustlino- ahout her bountiful table in her richest black silk, with all her old lace on. "Oh, he '11 get over it in a month or two, and Phebe will soon find another lover ; so don't be worried abo.it '"H, aunty," said Steve, with the air of a man who knew all about that sort of thino- kn If Archie does for get, I shall dc! jpise him; and I ..>. .v..g..t., a «ii.ui robably, and is beginning to wander. I '11 take him quietly away before he gets any wihler. Come, old hinalic, we must be off." " Don't be alarmed : I 'm all right and much obliged for your advice ; for I fancy I shall be a desperate lover when my time comes, if it ever does. You don't think it impossible, do you ?" and JMac put the question so soberly that there was a general smile. "Certainly not: you '11 be a regular Douglas, tender and true," answered Rose, wondering what queer ques- tion would come next. « Thank you. The fact is, I 've been with Archie so much in his trouble lately that I 've got interested in this matter, and very naturally want to investigate the subject as every rational man must, sooner or later : th.at 's all. Now, Steve, I 'm ready," and Mac got up as if the lesson was over. « My dear, that boy is either a fool or a genius, and I 'm sure I should be glad to know which," said Aunt Plenty, putting her bonbons to rights with a puzzled shake of her best cap. " Time will show ; but I incline to think that- he is not a fool by any means," answered the girl, pulling a cluster of white roses out of her bosom to make room for the pansies, though they did not suit the blue gown half so well. Just then Aunt Jessie came in to help them receive, with Jamie to make himself generally useful ; which ? % le Iiosj>it:il, uidcr. I '11 MTiy wilder. uch obliged 1 desperate You don't he question ?las, tender queer ques- ith Archie i interested investigate er or later : lac got up jenius, and said Aunt a puzzled that- he is , pulling a lake room blue gown ni receive, ul ; which JVEW-YEA irs CA LLS. 169 he proceeded to do by hovering round the table like a fly about a honey-pot, when not flattening his nose against the window-panes, to announce \xcitedly, " Here 's another man coming up the drive ! " Charlie arrived next, in his most sunshiny humor • for any thing social and festive was his delio-ht and when in this mood the Prince was quite irresistible He brought a pretty bracelet for Rose, and was gra- ciously allowed to put it on, while she chid him gently for his extravagance. "I am only following your example ; for, you know 'nothmg is too good for those we love, and living away is the best thing one can do,'" he retorted, quot ing words of her own. " I wish you would follow my example in some other things as well as you do in this," said Rose, soberly, as Aunt Plenty called him to come and see if the punch was right. « Must conform to the customs of society. Aunty's heart would be broken, if we did not drink her health in the good old fnshion. But don't be alarmed : I 'ye a strong head of my own, and that 's lucky ; for I phail need it before I get through," laughed Charlie, srow ing a long list, as he turned away to gratify the ,Aa lady with all sorts of merry and affectionate compli- ments as the gbtsses touched. Rose did feel rather alarmed ; for, if he drank tlie liealth of all the owners of those r-ames, she folt .ure that Charlie would need a very strong head indeed 1 ' IV I'- i r:\ i * ■ • 1 It I , ^IV !■! 170 ROSE IN BLOOM. It was hard to say any thing, then and there, without seeming disrespect t) Aunt Plenty : yet she longed to remind her cousin of the example she tried to set him in this respect ; for Rose never touched wine, and the b.ys knew it. She was thoughtfully turning the bracelet with its pretty device of turquoise forget-me- nots, when the giver came back to her, still bul)bling over with good spirits. " Dear little saint, you look as if you'd like to smash all the punch-bowls in the city, and save us jolly young fellov's from to-morrow's headache." " I should ; for such headaches sometimes end in hea.'-taches, I'm afraid. Dear Charlie, don't be angry; but you know better than I that this is a dangerous day for such as you : so do be careful for my sake," she added, wnth an unwonted touch of tenderness in her voice; for, looking at the gallant figure before her, it was impossible to repress the womanly longing to keep it always as brave and blithe as no^-. Charlie saw that new softness in tlie eyes that never looked unkindly on him, fancied that it meant more than it did, and, with a sudden fervor in his own voice, answered quickly, — "My darling, I will! The slow which had risen to his face was reflected in hers ; for at that moment it seemed as if it would be possible to love this cousin, who was so willing to be led by her, and so much needed some helpful infllu- ence to make a noble man of him. The thought cnuie NEW-YEAWS CALLS. 171 ire, M'ithont e longest amiable ;d to think bed she sat ait for hei not expect unusually ! Dr. Alec ?r reverie, 3 hall-door "Poor man ! his hands are so cold lie can't get his latch-key in. Js that you, uncle?" she added, running to admit him; for Jane was slow, and the night as bit- ter a.s it was brilliant. A voice answered « Yes," and as the door swung open in walked, -not Dr. Alec, but Charlie, who im- mediately took one of the hall chairs, and sat there with his hat on, rubbing his gloveless hands, and blink- ing as if the light gloriously -going to see the old year out, you know. But I i)romised — never break my word — and liore I am. Angel in blue, did you slay your thou- sands?" "Hush! the waiters are still about: come to the study fire and warm yourself ; you must be f i-ozen," said Rose, going before to roll up the easy-chair. "Not at all— never warmer — looks very comforta- h\v, though. Where 's uncle ? " asked Charlie, follow- ing with his hat still on, his hands in his pockets, and his eye fixed steadily on the bright head in front of him. " Aunt Myra sent for him, and I was waiting up to so« how she was," answered Rose, busily mending the fire. Charlie laughed, and sat down upon a corner of the'" library table. "Poor old soul! uhah a pit" .she doesn't die before he is (juite worn out. A litt/e too Vi i s i xmr^ 174 EOSE IN BLOOM. I m ill 111, U much ether some of these times would send her off quite comfortably, you know." " Don't speak in tliat way. Uncle says imaginary troubles are often as hard to bear as real ones," said Rose, turning round di8])k'ased. Till now she had not fairly looked at him ; for recol- lections of the morning made her a little shy. His attitude and appearance surprised her as much as his words, and the quick change in her face seemed to remind him of his manners. Gettin^r up, he hastily took off his hat, and stood looking a ^^ v with a curi- ously fixed yet absent look, as h<: «(ud in the same rapid, abrupt way, as if, when once started, he found it hard to stop, — " I beg pardon — only joking— very bad taste I know, and won't do it again. The heat of the room makes me a little dizzy, and I think I got a chill coming out. It is cold — I am frozen, I dare say — though I drove like the devil." " Not that bad horse of yours, I hope ? I know it is dangerous, so late and alone," said Rose, shrinking behind the big chair, as Charlie approached the fire^ carefully avoiding a footstool in his way, "Danger is exciting — that 's why I like it. No man ever called me a coward — let him try it once. I never give in — and that horse shall not conquer me. I '11 break his neck, if he breaks iny spirit doing it. No — I don't mean that — never mind — it's all right," and Charlie laughed in a way tliat troubled lier, be- cause there was no mirth in it. r- hf S\n send her off ^8 imaginary il ones," said n ; for recol- le shy. His much as his 3 seemed to ), he hastily with a curi- in the same d, he found ;aste I know, room makes coming out. ugli I drove I know it i, shrinking ed the fire, ke it. No it once. I onquer me. t doing it. s all right," ed her, be- 'Si; NEfV-VEARS CALLS. 175 Have you had a pleasant .lay ? " asked Rose, look- -ng at h,„. .ntently, as he stood pondering ov^r the c.gar an,l ma.cl, which he held, a, if doub,f:i which to strike and which to smoke. " '^"^ ^ "'';. y'"-'' '■•"P"'-''- About two thousand call, ".'"' " """' ''"'-^ »"M«'- It the Club. Rand-,1 can't «.ng any more than a c-ow ; but I loft hin. with a .la,, of champagne upside-down trying to give them „y old favorite,— ^ ""Tis 1 otter to laugh than be sighing ; '" and Ch,a,-lic burs, forth in that bacchanalian melody a the top of h,s voice, waving an allumette-holdor over h.s head to .-epresent Randal's inverted wini: glilSS. "Hnsh! you'Ilwake aunty," cried Rose, in atone - comn,a„d,„g that he broke o« in the middle If a ™»«* to stare at her with a blank look, as he s id apologetically,— ' "« »•»"' " I w,as merely showing how it should be done. Don't angry dearest-look at me as yon did this morn," g nd I I swear never to sing another note if y„u say s^ onu J, ,„„1 they all congratulated me. Told 'em i, you alwajs forgive me in the sweetest w.ay Do it "<-y. and don't he an.rv. little darling ; " „,„, ^ " th e V ase, he went toward her with a sudden n^ent that made her shrink behind the chair, ropping excite- i n n .-• " *ii IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) v m /. {/ imi„:';a";;::tr r;^« ^; -..i. .he had not e„ter.ai:ed itl ir .L w' Alas, how short the tender drean, had been, l„n' ™fj 12 'tI^B ,^'1 ll ! 178 ROSE IN BLOOM. the awakening ! how impossible it would be ever again to surround that fallen figure with all the romance of an innocent fancy, or gift it v/itli the high attributes beloved bv a noble nature ! Breathing heavily in the sudden sleep that kindly brought a brief oblivion of himself, he lay with flushed cheeks, .disordered hair, and at his feet the little rose, that never would be fresh and fair again,— a pitiful contrast now to the brave, blithe young man who went so gayly out tliat morning to be so iguo- miniously overthrown at night. Many girls would have made light of a trespass so readily forgiven by the world ; but Kose had not yet learned to offer temptation with a smile, and shut her eyes to the weakness that makes a man a brute. It always grieved or disgusted her to see it in others, ar'" now it was very terrible to have it brought so near, not in its worst form, by any means, but bad enough to wring her heart with shame and sorrow, and fill her mind with dark forebodings for the future. So she could only sit mourning for the Charlie that might have been, while watching the Charlie that \vas, with an ache at her heart which found no relief till, putting her hands there as if to ease the pain, they touched the pansies, faded, but still showing gold among the sombre purple ; and then two great tears dropped on them as she sighed, — « Ah me ! 1 do need heart's-ease sooner than I th.ouffht ! " )e eA^er again I romance of 5I1 attributes that kindly le lay with his feet the fair again, — 3 young man » be so iguo- a trespass so had not yet and shut her a brute. It n others, ar '^ it so near, bad enough v, and fill her ;ure. So she B that might hat was, with f till, putting they touched d among the s dropped on )oner than I I: THE SAD AND SOBER PAST. 179 f H.,- ..ncle's step made her .pri„g „,, „„, „,„„^^ \ doc, sl,ow,„gh,m such .„ altered face that he stop, d short, jaculating in dismay,— topped "Good heavens, child ! what 's the matter ?" addin. .:n::^r!!dr;v"^^'»'-'>-^-''-."i:t: "No, uncle: he is " vu^ «^ ij ;... word. h. .hispered, :^L Tl TCZ,^ "Be kind to him," and fled awnv f^ i ' --.a.«agreatd.,a:eh:rL::'rtrh„:r' CHAPTER X TH^. SAD -AND SOBER PART. " H^'T. "'" ": '°*^ -''»' ^i" he say? can any ;erethet^,r:o:^rardtxr"^" oLangod, becanse a trouble darkened it for her She 2 '»<> youug yet to know how possible it 'to fo, ^ "ot been so bright a day, wondered how ', "i * i > :L 1 " li r t 180 ROSE IN BLOOM. her birds could sing with such shrill gayety, put no ribbon in her hair, and said, as she looked at the re- flection of her own tired face in the glass, — " Poor thing ! you thought the new leaf would have something pleasant on it. The story has been very sweet and easy to read so far, but the sad and sober part is coming now." A tap at the door reminded her that, in spite of her afflictions, breakfast must be eaten ; and the sudden thought that Charlie might still be in the house made her hurry to the door, to find Dr. Alec waiting for her with his morning smile. She drew him in, and whis- pered anxiously, as if .ume one lay dangerously ill near by, — " Is he better, uncle ? Tell me all about it : I can bear it now." Some men would have smiled at her innocent dis- tress, and told her this wrs only what was to be ex- pected and endured ; but Dr. Alec believed in the pure instincts that make youth beautiful, desired to keep them true, and hoped his girl would never learn to look unmoved by pain and pity upon any human being vanquished by a vice, no matter how trivial it seemed, how venial it was held. So his fa '"™'i'" 8%1>«1 Rose. " And Brutus ? weren t they frightened when he got back alone ? " "Not at all: the sagacious beast went quietly to the stable, and the sleepy groom asked no questions ; for Cha, ,e often sends the horse round by himself when .t ..late or stonny. Rest easy, dear : no eye but ours aw the poor lad come and go, and we '11 forgive it for love's sake," *=* " Yes, but not forget it. I never can ; and he will never be agam to me the Charlie I've been so proud an^d fond of all these years. O uncle, such a pity 1 such " Don't break your tender heart about it, child ; for ; IS not .ucurable, thank God I I don't make ligL of It , but I am sure that under better influences Charlie v.n redeem himself, because his impulses are good »d th.s h,s only vice. I can hardly blame him fo^ what he ,s, because his mother did the harm. I de Clare to you. Rose, I sometimes feel ,as if I must break ut agamst that woman, and thunder in her ears t :' she .s rummg the immortal soul for which she is responsible to heaven." . Dr. Alec seldom spoke in this way, and when he did it 182 ROSE IN BLOOM. was rather awful ; for his indignation was of the right eons sort, and nuicli thunder often rouses up a drowsy- soul when hunshine has no effect. Rose liked it, and sincerely wished Aunt Clara had been there to get the benefit of the outbreak ; for she needed just such an awakening from the self-indulgent dream in which she lived. " Do it, and save Charlie before it is too late ! " she cried, kindling herself as she watched him ; for he looked like a roused lion, as he walked about the room, with his hand clenched and a spark in his eye, evi- dently in desperate earnest, and ready to do almost any thing. " Will you help ? " he asked, stopping suddenly, with a look that made her stand up straight and strong as she answered with an eager voice, — " I will." " Then don't love him — yet." That startled her ; but she asked steadily, though her heart began to beat and her color to come, — " Why not ? " " Firstly, because no woman should give her happi- ness into the keeping of a man without fixed principles ; secondly, because the hope of being worthy of you will help him more than any prayers or preaching of mine. Thirdly, because it will need all our wit and patience to undo the work of nearly four and twenty years. You understand what I mean ? " " Yes, sir, 4 1 b oi the right ip a drowsy liked it, and e to get the just such an n which she > late ! " slie im ; for he it the room, lis eye, evi- > do ahnost ^ suddenly, t and strong iily, though come, — her happi- l principles; of you will ng of mine, id patience enty years. TIflJ SAD AND SOBER PART. 183 " ^''" >^^" '''y ' No ' when he asks you to say ' Ye. ' and wa,t a little for your happiness ? » "^ '' " I 1 an." "And will you?" " I will." "Then J'n satisfied, and a gro.t weight taken off '"y lieart. I can't help secinr. ,1.,, „ " " "^ blino- when I thint J "^ «"''' ^"' ^^" ^''e'"- you .o„,,^^„,i„„, ;;„,,;;:; j;;;;;;r--i>-.-' They h.-id been standing with the widtl. f .i. between then,, D,-. A,ec i:„Wn, v V .'l ' t "''■" mando.. issning ovde,..,, Ro,,c like a weU d , S ?" obediently receiving them- ,nd 17^ , '"■'™"' c.ir . i-'i^^iii, .inu Doth wore the air nf . Id.ers gettn,g .-eady for a battle, with the bracZ o -;;:t:t:t::frtt'rr'''^™-^^ uiuieaa with a tender sort of xrravitv on i « i i , made her feel as if h. h. i , ^''^'^,'*^' '^"^^ ''^ ^^^^k that rtei as it he had endou-ed her with the Y\o tor.a cross for courage on the field No more was said then;, for Aunt Plenty called J^ m down, and the day's duties be^an LTT. It , toi It set her to thinkini? of the d.,H. ^ onr'' Rplf ,-n 1^ • . * ""*^ "^"^ owes She had plenty of tin,e for quiet .neditation that daj, because every one was resting after yc.terdaPs I Hi n i i f * Im 7« » M 184 ROSE IN BLOOM. m ; festivity ; and slie sat in lior little room planning out a new year, so full of good works, grand successes, and beautiful romances, that if it could have been realized the Millennium would have begun. It was a great comfort to lier, however, and lightened the long hours haunted by a secret desire to know when Charlie would come, and a secret fear of the first meeting. She was sure he would be bowed down with humilia- tion and repentance, and a struggle took place in her mind between the pity she could not help feeling, and the disapprobation she ought to show. She decided to be gentle, but very frank ; to reprove, but also to console, and try to improve the softened moment by inspiring the culprit with a wish for all the virtues Avhich make a perfect man. This fond delusion grew quite absorbing, and her mind was full of it as she sat watching the sun set from her western window, and admiring with dreamy eyes the fine effect of the distant hills clear and dark against a daffodil sky, when the bang of a door made her sit suddenly erect in her low chair, and say with a catch in her breath, — '* He is coming ! I must remember what I promised uncle, and be very firm." Usually Charlie announced his approach with music of some sort : now he neither whistled, hummed, nor sung, but came so quietly Rose was sure that he dreaded the meeting as much as she did, and, compas- sionating his natural confusion, did not look round as )l!inniiig out icccsscs, and een realized was a great e long hours fion Charlie I'st meeting, ith huniilia- ilaco in her feeling, and 5he decided but also to moment by the virtues ig, and her the sun set dth dreamy ar and dark door made say with a , I promised with music [immed, nor ire that he nd; compas- >k round as i THE SAD AN,> SOBEH PAJiT. 185 offence, but I,o„od not L , ""' '° -""•"■ " ''"^-1. anxiously. tne fiKst demonstration It was rather a shoct w],^« u .--o,e«n,,.o,,;f,::' ::;■-";-,, . ""' ">«"§'' in "I humbly npojocn^e fnv ^ • o.vpeots every „„, t„ aII T ' ^"" '""'^ ^"""■'"■■^ "I a,n tiL :f'„lVtV:'V"''"^^"■'''■'^''''^■•'' l'■■o™.•.es as easily a., ^ W v "'■*" """ ""'^'^ ""•«■ ask you fol LIZ ^ "" "S"' ""^ r «''■■•" *'-bouf you cast „,e off, I feel as if I shouldn't «' how soon there was an end of me." cried Chariie gettmg tragic in his earnestness, a^d putting bh arms round her, as if his only safety lay in clinging „ this beloved fellow-creature. ^^ Behind footliahts it wnnU i,„ i I . . ' would have been irresistiHo. but somehow it did not touch the one spectato Z!gh e had neither time nor skill to discover wh^. ptr al the.r ardor the words did not rin.te the grace of the attitude, she ,™ 1 . ri'iktd h m. better manfully erect upon his feet , and, ho^ the gesture w.as fu„ of tenderness, a sLbtle ins it made her shrink away, as she said with a compo r' thatsurprised herself, even more than it did Z~ " P ease don't. No, I will promise nothing ye • for I must respect the man I love " ' That brought Ch..rlie to his feet, pale with some ■"g deeper than anger ; for the recofl told ^I no" *.. y than the words how much be had falleri,: K'gard since vesterdiv 'ru,. ^esieictay. ihe memory of the hap],y I u I h 190 HOSE JN BLOOM. moment when she gave the rose Avith that new soft- ness in her eyes, tlie shy color, the sweet " for my sake," came back with sudden vividness, contrasting sharply Avith ' the now averted face, the hand out- stretched to put him back, the shrinking figure : and in that instant's silence poor Charlie realized what he had lost ; for a girl's first thought of love is as delicate a thing as the rosy morning-glory, that a breath of air can shatter. Only a hint of evil, only an hour's de- basement for him, a moment's glimpse for her of the coarser pleasures men know, and the innocent heart, just opening to bless and to be blessed, closed again like a sensitive plant, and shut him out perhaps for ever. The consciousness of this turned him pale with fear : for his love was deeper than she knew ; and he proved this when he said in a tone so full of mingled pain and patience that it touched her to the heart, — " You shall respect me if I can make you ; and when I 've earned it may I hope for something more ? " She looked up then, saw in his face the noble shame, the humble sor' of courage, that shows repentance to be genuine, and gives promise of success, and, with a hopeful smile that was a cordial to him, answered heartily, — " You may." " Bless you for that ! I '11 make no promises, I '11 ask for none : only trust me. Rose ; and, Avhile you treat me like a cousin, remember that no matter how » J new soft- " for my mtrasting land out- jure : and . what he s delicate ith of air lour's de- ler of the mt heart, 5ed again rhaps for fvith fear : le proved pain and and when •e?" >le shame, ntance to id, with a answered nises, I '11 ,vliile you atter how SMALL TEMPTATIONS 19^ -nt awa,, leaving Rose to ^ft "''j, elTfl!""^ .nto water with remorseful care , J"'""''"' ^^^f-^™ bracelet, saying to herself,- ' '"^ "'^^'^ f"" " I '" "ever wear it till I feel as r ^;,i i, i be shall put it on, and I 'H say! yj,^,'" ""^^^ ' *- CHAPTER XI. SMALL TEMPTATIONS. " Q ROSE, I Ve got something so exoiti„„ t . „ ^^ you 1" cried Kitty v,„ t , T ° *'" the carriage ne.u morning wl en h'^f ' 7'"^' '"" ''«• to go shopping. ° ^"^ '"^■"'* «'"«! fo'- Kitty always did have some " nerfentW .1 •„• communication to make an,] Til , , ^ ""''"'"S them quietly : but tir,', . ^ "'' ^'"""''^ *» '••'"<» o"e;f!r,reLd;:st r: u~:r^^^^^''^'^ md disordered haf, ,„-,i i^ ohservers outside the neck, e.cLl,, 'r ' ";:; '^^ 'J'' «»- --^ :%<^-.tcre.at„r:,vr:~^^^^^^ J>''«oglad! Of course it is Steve v- M ! i.:! 192 ROSE IN BLOOM. " Dear follow, he did it last night in the nicest way, and mamma is so delighted. Now what shall I bo married in ? " and Kitty comjjosed herself with a face full of the deepest anxiety. " How can you talk of that so soon ? Why, Kit, you unromantic girl, you ought to be thinking of your lover and not your clothes," said Ruse, amused, yet rather scandalized at such want of sentiment. " I am thinking of my lover ; for he says he will not have a long engagement, so I must begin to think about the most important things at once, mustn't I ? " " Ah, he wants to be sure of you ; for you are such a slippery creature he is afraid you '11 treat him as you did poor Jackson and the rest," interrupted Rose, shak- ing her finger at her prospective cousin, who had tried this pastime twice before, and was rather proud than otherwise of her brief engagements. " You needn't scold, for I know I 'm right ; and, when you 've been in society as long as I have, you '11 find that the only way to really knov; a man is to be engaged to him. While they want you, they are all devotion ; but when they think they 've got you, then you find out what wretches they are," answered Kitty, with an air of worldly wisdom which contrasted oddly with her youthful face and giddy manners. ■" A sad prospect for poor Steve, unless I give him a hint to ook well to his ways," " O 1 y dear child, I 'm sure of him *, for my expe- rience has made me very sharp, and I 'm convinced 1 SMALL TEMPTATIONS. . 193 can manage hi,„ ^Uhout ,a Ut of trouble W - known each other for aires " ^S,„ ^* "'^ Kitty eighteen) ".„„, T f '™ '*""'y '">d big hand, and f 2 h """ ' ' ""''' '''"'« "-• he's the be.t d' LT . '" "'"'''^ "''°''*" '""=" handkerchiefs firrttrvV '" ™ '""■ '™ i'"*"*- resi>,t"l»„ I rt' ^ ""''"'" ™<=hanting I couldn't pX,;:irr;;::rs^ shec.adenciouJra:rar::r:::r"'°'^^^^ you!:ri':tiTT'"^'-™''^"'^="^"- think -..p.ea.eifr ::::!"::: ""^^ ""'"-'^' «-. ;•*".. and a ,,ck ^^^^^T^ ::nt:;rr^^"'---""«''e'^..eefn'::fe;:t::^ -"::rt:::i:-^^^^^ every thin-. i„ the „ 7 "'" "'>''' '<> take oiou'iioseryou'dha :r:r.''*"' '"^- *^^ «'-^'- last night while Stet ^ "' " '•"■"'"'«e goose I actu,t.y r' ^e I'^'^r'' '■" "" ''='* P-lo- for I pretended ; I ZX "'T' '" ^"■™^' -»- - one whether you „e 7 U ^' "'"' ""«' h»™ ■•• - a tah t„i,et at eve,;' "f"" '''"'' ''^ "-^ out ™guM voices wen,.;; h ':'•* " '™* ^-^ to ■"g l>oth silks with a mtV f"^ " ^■''''' •' " «athe,- ;'"ch was the bricie-elec H' 1 ."""»" ■■" '■' Sla»ce Kuty fe„ back to .tud/ elffe:"'f' '""^ ^™"<' ^ ^or fo ds with au absorbing i„tf ""^ "'^''^ '^«te -""« Bose sat looking^r he' T""" '" "'^''"=''. h-d a bland voice s!, t'tZ " " ''' ^^^^'^ ""»■ to girlish eurs,_ °' ^ "" "«"«^ "f silk so ^'f perfect for'ah'lli^le .'""'' " ''' ''"^^ -^S but' iiose i^ was oot listening to those words, but to others ROSE IN BLOOM. which Aunt Clara had lately uttered ; laughed at then, but thought over more than once since. "I'm tired of hearing people wonder why Miss Campbell does not dress more. Simplicity is all very well for school-girls and women who can't afford any thing better, but you can, and you really ought. Your things are pretty enough in their way, and I rather like you to have a style of your own ; but it looks odd, and people will think you are mean if you don't make more show. Besides, you don't do justice to your beauty, which would be both peculiar and striking, if you'd devote your mind to getting up ravishing costumes." Much more to the same effect did her aunt say, dis- cussing the subject quite artistically, and unconsciously appealing to several of Rose's ruling passions. One was a love for the delicate fabrics, colors, and ornar ments which refined tastes enjoy, and whose costliness keeps them from ever growing common ; another, her strong desire to please the eyes of those she cared for, and gratify their wishes in the smallest matter if she could. And last, but not least, the natural desire of a young and pretty woman to enhance the beauty which she so soon discovers to be her most potent charm for the other sex, h or passport to a high place among her maiden peers. She had thought seriously of surprising and delight- ing every one, by appearing in a costume which should do justice to the loveliness which was so modest that ''""■'■ ''•'■■-^tPTAnom. '■t ™s apt to f„,.„et it,^,. . , '"^ "fe';"» and easily p,„e;.„'"":;'™'' »» »'.e coul., ;,„. -"- P.n.e in he.- pocket "^s! Tf""' "-*■»"■- t'.e^h^n.e,,,. She had p,a„„o., ^ all; jorfe, ornament, of so,„« Z' '" '"'^ ""-> fro«- "-" y accassaries a, perfec a "'""■"' "■" "" 'ho """'d make tl,em, *" '"""• '•■>«'»■ and money She knew that Unci,, ii , , »■>"" hera fi,,„e tC e^i^ "•'"'"''" '™'»'-ng had ;" '"-. So it ,vas little wide ,T'"""'°" '"•^' ^''•■«- <»;«■•« to use these gifts I^r "'f ^'"^ f"^" « »tr„„g P'ay,b„t to seem fain';," ' ""^ P'^^^'-e of dis « •>- «tho„t a t: deV :r:; "r* -">- 'o„k »o- winning when no wol ma I""™"""' •^" ">» homage women love. "'"■'■^'' ">'^ 'nvolnntary I'"'!" thoughts were busy i„ r , '"ol-ng at the lovely silk ?„, ? " ""■"'^' »» »he sat "■™W say if she .Un^C! "^T""""' ^""^ Charlie ; i->e, rosy eloud, like ' "e 1 '.f '''"«' "P"" '"m i„ ''kene.I her. She knew i 1 m '"""" """^ "fen ™" «"e longed to do:; '^ H^nf ^^ '™ ™'-^--'. he poor fellow; f„r her t«^^ j^r? T"'" *" S^'fy ■"o-efnl pangs, rememte '?''' '^'"^^^ ^^^ -me ''«™ the night before s"^ 'T '"^''^ «he h.ad «'»■*. because she meant h '" ' ""* ^-<"=^ her ' ™^htbeki„d,a„dsho:rrr^r--''"-he liini out from h ler regai-d. sJie did by askiiig him not y\. to ■Jy sh ut SO with her 198 ROSE /iV BLOOM. I to Kitty's biill, anrl gratify his artistic tnstc by a lovely costume. A very girlish but kindly plan ; for that ball was to be the lust of her frivolities, so she wanted it to be a pleasant one, and felt that "being friends" with Charlie would add much to her enjoyment. This idea made her fingers tighten on the gloaming fabric so temptingly upheld, and she was about to take it when, " If ye please, sir, would ye kindly tell me where I 'd be finding the flannel place?" said a voice behind her ; and, glancing up, she saw a meek little Irish- Avoman looking quite lost and out of place among the luxuries around her. " Downstairs, turn to the left," was the clerk's hasty reply, with a vague wave of the hand which left the inquirer more in the dark than ever. Rose saw the woman's perplexity, and said kindly, " I '11 show you ; this way." "I'm ashamed to be throublin' ye, miss; but it's strange I am in it, and wouldn't be comin' here at all, at all, barrin' they tould me I 'd get the bit I 'm wantin' chaper in this big shop than the little ones more becomin' the like o' me," explained the little woman humbly. Rose looked again, as she led the way through a well-dressed crowd of busy shoppers : and something in the anxious, tired face under the old woollen hood ; the bare, purple hands, holding fast a meagre wallet and a faded scrap of the dotted flannel little children s frocks are so often made of, — touched the generous heart, that SMALL TEMPTATIONS. "^ 199 - 1::"::: ::;:-:: ;r-"- ■notheriy p,.„tt,o about "„^e b bv" fT"' '"'"''' (•Ic " it was to " fi. 1 , u ^' ""'^ ""> " "I'-ou- when „!„„„ is , "" '"^ '■" 8™-"' """-lor, 'ue man is out av wort o«ri *i, 1 . ineonvaynient those hard tL V; ' '"; .""^ »;' ^'P that darksome lower world i ^ """"^"^ '° ■•efuge when hivuve , ' '"■'' ""^^sitios take plaoLbovr " """' '""" «" f'om the gayer "e. grew n.rL,;;,,; ^ f ":: '^ " "^'^ " "^ "- away, wiping her eyes on the eorne If b , '""' bundle. A verv litflo ,i,- V *""' ""'own v^oodon-faccd ^rlV "^' ""' "" ""' '»'^ " ^ut a good, and s tt;,;:::::,"':^^ ^?' '^ ^-^^ «"- f-e, thinking seif-;:^;:!;:; ''!::' ''-"' '^'"' » ""- " What riffht Htvp T f^ • poor babies have Ze ';,"? 'T """"' "'™ '<""« fine, while there is ,o /n^ b Jf,' '""' "'•'"""S "'y^-"* . Nevertheless t:TJtrr;::r;r:sr: 'ng as ever, and she veaniP.l f T "^ ^'''''P^ .-owed yearning w,r '« "'i' :" f " " -t.o„,d , bave bee„\ou"::in' -■::::: E,;i ; I? J sot ROSE IN BUnm. as slie joined Kitty, still brooding over the ueddincr gowns. '^ " I waited a moment for you, my dear, because I 'm in haste, and very glad to save myself a journey or a note," began the newcomer in a low tone, as Rose shook hands with the most affectionate resi)ect. « You know the great box f^ictory was burned a day or two ago, and over a hundred girls thrown out of work. Some were hurt and are in the hosi)ital, many have no homes to go to, and nearly all nped temporary help of some sort. We've had so many calls this winter I hardly know which way to turn ; for the want is press- ing, and I Ve luid my finger in so many purses I 'm ahriost ashamed to ask again. Any little contribution — ah, thank you ; I was sure /ou wouldn't fail me, my good child," and Mrs. Gardener warmly pressed the Iiand that went so quickly into the little portemonnaie, and came out so generously filled. « Let -ne know how else I can help, and thank you very much for allowing m'e to have a share in your good works," said Rose, forgetting all about gav gowns, as she watched the black bonnet go brisk./ away, with an approving smile on the fine old face inside it. " You ex -. v;igant thing ! how could you give so much?" vhiy. -.• Kirfy, whose curious eye had seen three figures on M .mgle UM which had so rapidly changed hancli. " I believe if Mrs. Gardener asked me for my head I <^^»#- '"'''■'■ -''^-^''-nriom. 201 '!"■•"■"= '0 the »i„.;; Xr' ""T '«""^; then "r the atripd ?" ° '"' "l" '''>«■. 'he corded »•'■"/«'... J. ■„„; ::'::::,,::-' -^ -- - J^o. I can't afford it i,„t ,„., , "•y "ll««'a„oo, and I rf,all ,,avc 1' if t""'" "™'"''' «""7- Cme, we on,-ht not, V ^"^ '"'"^ """-o you liave all the „.,„p °, ""'"^ «!"»> ''-re, if break throuirl, two rn«.i . ''^ ^^^ Po^^"'" to :-; - o-.- .ot to . erritxiis Jis Rosamond Iiad her dav of • , '"cmed to be one of s„.,l ,! ^ °*.""»f'>«"ne.,, so this »V '."d «e! Kitty dot" r" •""■^ '" ""■'"• Af'-- '-vh„,.ea,shedrov "ltd" "' '"'^" *" -« '- "- -<3, and, whi,:: : t'rrf"' '"■""' '- "ecntion of an order, vo„n. 1> , ''"'^' *" ""= ^« Steve said th k I! ^ '"""''"" "'»"'« ''y- ^-g the n,ost eli^b '';;"' *'><' ""■^'^'^^'^ ««ht. "-as considered a dt.t ; . "'•■"°"' l"'' "-cgard '■"■' •'een we,, s 1 ;- " "."l''™" ' "' ^ »-' Rose tonorabi scoMed by Aunt CI ^ a mate. Th g"'i liked h ara for i-efusi ng so i"i : and he was ii02 ROiiE IN BLOOM. the suitor of whoMi she hficl spoken bo respectfully to Dr. Alec, because he had no need of the heiress, and had sincerely loved the woman. Tie had been away, and she hoped had got over his disappointment as hap- pily as the rest ; but now when he saM' her, and came hurrying up so hungry for a word, she felt that he had not forgotten, and was too kind to chill him with the bow which plainly says, " Don't stop." A personable youth was Peniberton, and had brought with him from the wilds of Canada a sable- lined overcoat, which was the envy of every masculine and the admiration of every feminine friend he had ; and, as he stood at her carriage window, Rose knew that this luxurious garment and its stalwart wearer were objects of interest to the passers-by. It chanced that the tide of shoppers flowed in that direction ; and, as she chatted, familiar faces often passed with glances, smiles, and nods of varying curiosity, significance, and wonder. She could not help feeling a certain satisfaction in giving him a moment's pleasure, since she could do no more ; but it was not that amiable desire alone which made her ignore the neat white parcels which the druggist's boy deposited on the front seat, and kept her lingering a little longer to enjoy bne of the small triumphs which girls often risk more than a cold in the head to display. The sight of several snow-flakes on the broad shoulders which partially obstructed her view, as well as the rapidly increasing anima. V. SMALL TEMPTATRhys. 203 tion of Pemberton's chat, remincle,! her th.t ir . high time to go. '^^ ^^ ^^'^« "I mustn't keen von • I'f \. ^ ■ ■ '-.»; for «„,all talk is ^ot e'oi'- ,! 1 T' ^ ""^'^"'- »';ose nose feel., nke „„ Ldo "^ '" » '"-"g.y man " Is it? I thought the sun was shining" t i .. absorbed <'entlein,n t„ i . , """"S- And the in the red-lined carriage """'^ "." li^e'i.ITuoT :i""" r' °'"- ^"-"^- >'-i'" fo the fie t h 1'"'' ™^"^° '" commonplaces; - -«rd;:ittv:::rj::: --™ «-'-. as' "I wish I could-" fhnr. ' •!• added, " Thank ylV:,. ' '""'"'« g'-''"<'f'>"y. h<= , nank j on for giving me a little of yours " whfl •:: wit?"*''' ^"'' *°""^-<" •'- ^brel,, -ft oyes to folW hinr adnTrr;,; ' """"' ^""^''■' '"^ I cluidTe;;?!!- f^™ '',!"?"" " ™"""' '""Ser than «-i»Mosht:°«:rro .7;;^ V™ "■''-""'' mI C nS, /n ■•" ^'"'^ "' "" "'y '^^-« ' " And ?! 3' J 204 ROSE IN BLOOM. "Now, young man, what brought you out hi this driving fitorm?" asked Rose, as Jamie came stamping in that same afternoon. "Mamma sent you a new book, — thought you'd like it : I don't mind your old storms ! " repHed the boy, wrestling his way out of his coat, and presenting a face as round and red and shiny as a well-polished Baldwin apple. " Much obliged : it is just the day to enjoy it, and I was longing for something nice to read," said Rose, as Jamie sat down upon the lower staiV for a protracted struggle with his rubber boots. " Here you are, then — no — yes — I do believe I 've forgotten it, after all ! " cried Jamie, slapping his pock- ets one after the other, with a dismayed expression of countenance. « Never mind ; I 'II hunt up something else. Let me help with those: your hands are so cold." And Rose good-naturedly gave a tug at the boots, while Jamie clutched the banisters ; murmuring somewhat incoherently, as his legs flew up and down,— " I '11 go back if you want me to. I 'm so sorry ! It 's- very good of you, I 'm sure. Getting these horrid things on made me forget. Mother would make me wear 'em, though I told her they'd stick like — like gumdrops," he added, inspired by recollections of cer- tain dire disappointments when the above-mentioned sweetmeat melted in his pockets, and refused to come out. I i! SMALL TEMPTATIONS. « Now what shall we do 205 9" asked Re was finally extricnted. "Since ivf 1'"' '"'"" ""^ I may as well ],lay." '^^ """""S '» «ad, wen' o" r:!; C l: ""^^ ""^ '«- ^'- -,ch ve^^ »^prod„c/„:.at;;"ir.etfrr"'r"'>'-^' ceptacles in whid. Uoys have "he ^ ■, r r^"'"''""-' ™- enough to fill a peck Lasme ^'"""^ ""'"''* fu" l-Iaying where you hwl t„ 1 1 "'"' "" and jars and things "o I Vnfl ? °"* '"'' '""""-« Captain Nen,o and t'he -N-l f '"? ^""^ ''""■' "''-" 13- ""'^i Lue IN autilus,' please " '''-•"Twent ; a:d're::rur"r'™^'' -ierehe remained for two In' , , ''"' ""' '"■"'" eral satisfact.on of his relltLT ""' '" ''"' ^'''^- '"OS. Settling her elf n . r"'''^'' ""°"« "^ """- «I.e read as diL 2" ' T ' ™""' '°«"g"'S-cl.air, ■™.i snow fen s wm::':""' "'"" '"^ ^•"■^' "-'•^'J For an hour. nnfK; — j- .„ , , ^, flisturbed the cosev . liousej for Auut Plenty quiet of tho was napping upstairs, and rll , t _ f ' I 206 ROSE IN BLOOM. Dr. Alec writing in his own sanctum ; at least, Rose thought so, till his step made her hastily drop the book, and look up with very much the expression she used to wear when caught in mischief years ago. " Did I startle you ? Have a screen : you are burn- ing your face before this hot fire." And Dr. Alec pulled one forward. " Thank you, uncle ; I didn't feel it." And the colcr seemed to deepen in spite of the screen, while the uneasy eyes fell upon the book in her lap. " Have you got the ' Quarterly ' there ? I want to glance at an article in it, if you can spare it for a moment," he said, leaning toward her with an inquir- ing glance. '' No, sir : I am reading — " And, without mention- ing the name, Rose put the book into his hand. The instant his eye fell on the title, he understood the look she wore, and knew what " mischief " she had been in. He knit his browg : then smiled, because it was impossible to help it ; Rose looked so conscience- stricken in spite of her twenty years. "How do you find it?— interesting? " " Oh, very ! I felt as if I was in another world, and forgot all about this." " Not a very good world, I fancy, if you M^ere afraid or ashamed to be found in it. Where did this come from?" asked Dr. Alec, surveying the book with great disfavor. Rose told him, au« from escaping. ' olyeet.onaWe beings fr Rose laughed, but n persisted in her defe m- ■ nee ; for she 208 ROSE IN BLOOM. i ; did want to finish the absorbing story,, yet would not without leave. " I have read French novels before, and you gave them to me. Not many to be sure, but the best ; so T think I know Avhat is good, and shouldn't like this if it was harmful." Her uncle's answer was to reopen the volume and turn the leaves an instant as if to find a particular place ; then he put it into her hand, saying quietly, — " Read a page or two aloud, translating as you go. You used to like that : try it again." Rose obeyed, and went glibly down a page, doing her best to give the sense in her purest English. Pres- ently she went more slowly, then skipped a sentence here and there, and finally stopped short, looking as if she needed a screen again. " What 's the matter ? " asked her uncle, who had been watching her with a serious eye. " Some phrases are untranslatable, and it only spoils them to try. They are not amiss in French, but sound coarse and bad in our blunt P^iiglish," she said a little pettishly ; for she felt* annoyed by her failure to prove the contested point. " Ah, my dear ! if the fine phrases won't bear putting into honest English, the thoughts they exj)ress won't bear putting into your innocent mind. That chapter is the key to the Avhole book ; and if you had been led up, or rather down, to it artfully and artistically, you might have read it to yourself witJiout seeing how bad ^^^^AIL TEMPTATIONS. '^ IS. All the worse for th. a • ^^^-the evil so subt" fa ;i '"f^^ talent which lightful." ^ '"^ "^'-^kes the danger sode- " Finish it if yo , 21 "'•■'' ^"" •'«•«'"'& - and that wo novo,, oan bo too ■ f'T " "' '"''""y' fe'.vo that precious yot-poH, .! . """ "*"" '-'' »- 'ion." ' ''""'<""> t'"ng oallod imagiua- And taking his "Roviow"!, » 'e.->™ec, artioio which intorostolh"' "'"'"'' '" '"* """^ another lono- silpur..^ r i •' ' exoitod bou„eo°f,.„ ;;„;f"'; "■"^''^■™ occasional "«>' looked i„ „t tho windor'nlr'" f' ^°"'^'"'' ™W«- « «I"P or two in itT '.X'c: ''"''"''^"-•'«'<^d !he doctor popped his,:::" , ::::^ in '" ■•™* ■^'"' !'«'.■«« only a message for Alrpr ""' ™"""'- "bout to pop in agaifwhentle ^^' ™' ''« -^"^ «q«a.-e parcel on the slab ^^ '""' '•'"'S'" ^y a "^t"::::'::t^r^'''*"-'"p- » ."'; ^0 and get it as s:o„ L^e, [T "^'»"- • - ^ Pl'ed Janiie, f,o„ ^j^ _^^^^ ««■ I ve done this," re- -X"':':htd't;r:!-r'*-».and Jam thought U 'Ose's w ;^y through, Dr. Alec Pi-o«]»ect rather doubtful ^'Ind, 14 si I I ipping 210 ROSE IN BLOOM. the parcel into his pocket, he walked away, saying with a satisfied air, — " Virtue doesn't always get rewarded ; but it shall be this time, if I can do it." More than Italf an hour afterward, Rose wi^ke from a little nap, and found the various old favorites, with which she had tried to solace herself, replaced by the simple, wholesome story promised by Aunt Jessie. " Good boy ! I '11 go and thank him," she said, half- aloud ; jumjiing up, wide awake and much pleased. But she did not go ; for, just then, she espied her uncle standing on the rug warming his hands with a generally fresh and breezy look about him, which sug- gested a recent struggle with the elements. " ITow did this come ? " she asked suspiciously. " A man brought it." " This man ? O uncle ! why did you take so much trouble just to gratify a wish of mine?" she cried, taking both the cold hands in hers, with a tenderly reproachful glance from the storm without to the ruddy face above her. " Because, having taken away your French bonbons with the poisonous color on them, I wanted to get you something better. Here it is, all pure sugar ; the sort that sweetens the heart as well as the tongue, and leaves no bad taste behind." " How good you are to me ! I don't deserve it ; for I didn't resist temptation, though I tried. Uncle, after W^M TEMPrATIom. ^ 'd flit the book awiv T ,> , ' """ot boon go, ":,];"<"■'' '>-o rend it al, I 0" 'h^' ha,,,,, . J,,„„ ',f°,7''»^"'S'- face down . «"t UnCe A,ec h ':;„ t / " " '•'"■"■"•■'"' child '"'^ 'he eyes that .net hi"fr ' t, " ''"'"' "'"' '-ki-g " '-■• ho said, With e :::''[• """S'' -"-• hCd "■or* re,„embe,.cd, _ °^ """ "'"-^J-^ made his ;o,ia,! tL-.t',!;;";^; Irj " <>-» ^'o™, fa,. '°'- « is the small te.n, fftl !'" "'''"'"'' "■< «»ow • '00 trivial to be resisted ^ * ""^ "^^^^ ""»" the,„ Some people woald eonsidor n,. ^, y man : b„t Rose felt that. '"" "" °^«'-<'»'-<=- ;^-f herpra,e,.s Z^Z:""'' '■"' -'- 10 he kept f,.o,„ yi,,ji„„ °'"> ^''fd a meek petition tions which beset a ric r prettv" . ""' ™^" '^"i''- «'-vagance, co,,,et,,;a:;:r;rL:,°:7"° ^'"■'.-- (. 212 ROSE IN BLOOM. CHAPTER XII. AT KITTY'S BALL. "D OSE had no new gown to wear on this festive ■'-^ occasion, and gave one little sigh of regret as she put on the pale blue silk, refreshed with clouds of gaze cle Chamhrey. But a smile followed, very bright and sweet, as she added the clusters of forget-me-not which Charlie had conjured up through the agency of an old German florist : for one part of her plan had been carried out, and Prince was invited to be her escort, much to bis delight ; though he wisely uifsae no protestations of any sort, and showed his gratitude by being a model gentleman. This pleased Rose; for the late humiliation and a very sincere desire to atone for it, gave him an air of pensive dignity which was very effective. Aunt Clara could not go ; for a certain new cos- metic, privately used to improve the once fine com- plexion, which had been her pride till late hours impaired it, had brought out an unsightly eruption, reducing her to the depths of woe, and leaving her no solace for her disappointment but the sight of the elegant velvet dress spread forth upon her bed in mel- ancholy state. So Aunt Jessie was chaperon, to Rose's great satis- faction, and looked as "pretty as a pink," Archie ^r KITTY'S BAU. 213 voted a, „ i„v,,, „, .., "' .''"""'•■•mmn, „n,l „, Ho. "os.gnyof,,,,,;,;l f:,]^,;; 8li3 8at contentedly l,o,;,l,. «i , t "• •^''''""'' «« wntching their boy, JX T '"""" ^"'°''>' "'"th no othe, p,.,.e„t Z, ' "T""" "■""<"-" "'•"' »3 these. Each ]"'":'"',"'"■■"*""'' »>'™ime„, "ght; and ye rVof. ;;,'■"■ '"' '"^"'"■*"g "> ^er to boa,, fnut'n ;,,:;:' :-'^« ?- -- ^^mn-.., t"e heart, of true Jl'^r "' ■^"""'■^ '"™' ^ ''^ ^o tM^;„.':trrrA::;''^'°''^"---'''-e. »d rather 3tate,y;h,n fi^' rthTerrdt f T' ^'"^ respect we see so little of „„„ ' I "'"'^ "'"^ sure sign of aood h„ ° " '"y**' ™'' "'Wd. is the Will Ll oSat M ::'"=•, '"'"^ -'«*V' - gorgeous as you p e." „ ,\?"''-^'' ^^-^ t^-e as 'hat night with tigh bo'ots „ UtT";r ""^ ^''*«'"^'' «% tell. But onTy ,„ 2 " . '"''' "" ^"^ "» these sufferings in'^.h! r. ^^^"' "'''' '^'^ """S^e t>.ey could St.;; "„ on ' , ""T'' "' """^ ^h^" fonawy sunken' „:;r;r;r°°:-^'''" ""■■•"^ "- rasped their ears and JZ t ,? T' "'^ "''"■■""^' ^'"'"h "...ce the loles thereof a pleasing I '' • .if I' I l!: i 214 ROSf: IN BLOOM. Ill scarlet. B. ,i were these moments, however; and the Spartan boys danced on with smiling faces, un.lanntcd by the hidden anouish which preyed upon them "fore and aft," as Will expressed it. JVfrs, Jane's pair were an odd contrast, and oven the stern diseiplinarian herself could not help smiling as she watchwd tluMn. Steve was superb, and m^ght have been married on the spot, so superfine was his broadcloth, glossy his linen, and perfect the fit of his gloves; while pride and happiness so fermented in his youthful bosom, that there would have been dan- ger of spontaneous combustion if dancing had not proved a safety-valve ; for his strong senso'of the pro- prieties would not permit him to vent his emotions in any other way. Kitty felt no such restraint, and looked like a bliss- ful little gypsy, with her brunette prettiness set off by a dashing costume of cardinal and cream color, and every hair on lier heay it." answered \^' Z! '\T"" ""' ^"" "-«' ^^»y» when she and he' 1;""^' ''"'^"^ of the betrothed. "^'"" ''""oo" together, just «-S:":rTh:!:tL'°'''':T^^''^"^^»-'' «"-ho'snomoreid arf I ?" '""^ ^P-" them; ^""t Jane gave CfJ'Z'": '""' "'•"""■"-•' "■o-d fan, emphasizing the trd '-'t then, ''™ of fibbing, and 2, , '""^ '"^ ^'"^^ '« cure -'"•out hi, iZZ' T "" ''^"" ''' «- go ■ ^ -hipped and sta v.^ ^ f .r" '"'■' ''^^'^ ^^t ••' fe-ie, being as big. I "^ "" "'"' "''^ "''« ™ch an article could be. """""•P.'omising aa Mrs. Jessie ^ave i mii/i "-"■ --., trib„,atio„: IM :t' '";.'•■" ''''" "' suffered had got a lit. „ • ' *''"='' *he boys «i>''-g Steve i: :j ", ;:r '"''f™^*' ^"■• the futh-telle,-. B„t ' „ ^ ^r* '""^ "'"-^'"^^ Mac "fPPen in the best- e^: teT; ™"»-'-«°- -'■ P'e«d parents can do is It ' ''""' '■"' P"'- i"S and practising, in h . " 1 '^ '"""^''"'' P'^^^'" --ti,ne,. for acctrH'oT^'^*' '' ^"' '"'^'- '""' «^"t, 10 the old proverb — tain as CoJ shall please.'" " I hope tliey won't dance the child t. 7 , them ; for each one see™, i , • ''*'•'"'' ""'ong -en yonr sober Z "s d jf "^ '• ""^ ""'^ ""■" ' '"'-. - .*e sa. Ar^ io L':/"^'"' '^ '»- "'■•""tea «-ho carried her off „■• I, °™' *" '"'' ''""^i". -a' other elain.an,, '"^ "" '"""'l* ^om sev- 1 218 ROSE IN BLOOM. " She 's very good to him, and her influence is excel- lent; for he is of an age n()^v when a young woman's opmion has more weight than an old one's. Though he IS always good to his mother, and I feel as if I should take great comfort in him. He 's one of the sort who will not marry till late, if ever, being fond of books and a quiet life," responded Mrs. Jane, remem- bering how often her son had expressed his belief that phdosophers should not marry, and brought up Plato as an example of the serene wisdom only to be at- tamed by a single man, while her husband sided with Socrates, for whom he felt a profound sympathy, though he didn't dare to own it. " Well, I don't know about that. Since my Archie surprised me by losing his heart as he did, I 'm pre- pared for any thing, and advise you to do likewise I really shouldn't wonder if Mac did soraethinc re- markable in that line, though he shows no signs of it yet, I confess," aaswered Mrs. Jessie, laughing. " It won't be in Uiat direction, you may be s'ure ; for her fate is sealed. Dear me, how sad it is to see a superior girl, like that, about to throw herself away on a handsome scapegrace. I won't mention names but you understand me ; " and Mrs. Jane shook her head, as if she could mention the name of one superior girl who had thrown herself away, and now saw the folly of it. "I'm very anxious, of course, and so is Alec: but It may be the saving of one party, and the happiness e is excel- f woman's Thougli b1 as if I le of the g fond of 5, remeni- 3lief that up Plato to be at- lied with anpathy, y Archie 'm pre- ikewise. bing Te- ns of it ire ; for see a f away names, )ok lier uperior iaw the ic: but ipiness ^1' KITTY'S BALL. 219 of the other • fn,. ">«y .oceive:" sL:; M,:r " '°^° '» ^'^ •-.•o .„.,„ f°'- the thousandth ti,„!' I'"? '"■""""'>' »'™'- -^ ^o-a first remark set then, off o ' ,* n "'""■"«' ™™ >""• - engaged to ZiL '-^^r.T' '» ^ *- .she keeping in Canton some d.« 11, '" ^""^ '° "'"'■^"- P"Ppies, and birds'-nest son^fo • '"^ '" ""^'^ ''''">' Rose, too mnch amuse tZpL'"'""'" »■'-'-■»" "% Confucius- isn't tht ? "''"' '" '"""'''■ Mao burst out laughinl o .f '* "'■°^1'-' ? " and "oighbors, .ho w:nde::d ; 7r '"'"" "' ''' "bout the Chinese sage. T' ^ ; '"™ /^^« -"'-"g 'I'ough, to have these h,fn , "''"'"'' "'a'-ming, Seems to be eatc J. f ' «<""^ "" »' ^^'^ ml j'-dge by Annabel'ro'h e a'TTr ""■'^'*™'-' '» »dded, regarding the a , ,irL/ "'' .^"""•" "« WnWing ,vith nierrimenl ' """' "^'^ ^'"' 1 I Don't b( i^"gHl]ant, but go and do /!' iV' like ^^''se; for it 220 JIOSE IiV BLOOM. is all tlic f.isliion. I lioard Mrs. Van tell old Mrs. Joy tliat it Avas going to bo a marrying year ; so you '11 bo sure to catch it," answered Uose, reefing her skirts; for, with all his training, Mac still found it difiicult to k?ep liis long legs out of the man-traps. "It doesn't look like a painful disease; but I must be careful, for I 've no time to be ill now. What are the symptoms ? " asked Mac, trying to combine busi- ness with pleasure, and improve his mind while doing his duty. "If you ever come back I'll tell you," laughed Rose, as he danced away into the wrong corner, buinped smartly against another gentleman, and re- turned as soberly as if that was the proper figure. " Well, tell me ' how not to do it,' " he said, subsid- ing for a moment's talk wlien Rose had floated to and fro in her turn. " Oh ! you see some young girl who strikes you as particularly charming, — whether she really is or not doesn't matter a bit, — and you begin to think about her a great deal, to want to see her, and to get generally sentimental and absurd," began Rose, finding it diffi- cult to give a diagnosis of the most mysterious disease under the sun. " Don't think it sounds enticing. Can't I find an antidote iomewhere ; for if it is in the air this year I 'm sure to get it, and it may be fatal," said Mac, who felt pretty lively and liked to make Rose merry ; for he suspected that she had a little trouble from a hin+ Dr. Alec had given him. « AT Kl'irrs BALL. 221 't lightlv the firsf Hn ""* '^ ^^^^«^" take "vo,.;j„:';;:::;;r:,:r':,:-^^ ^■*--" -.00 and start ,„o n.,U, J IS' ' '"' '"^ '^"'"- Mrs. Van „„ee 8,v th,,/ '"•"'«o""''"t. I h.ar.l "ad she o. 2 t., \ '"■,"l""V"ty work, ,vo„dorsj young man.' " ^'' ^"'"'ining ear%t '•"''•'''''"''•'' ■^'™'''» ™-- '>- the dis ease. 1 rojmKjinty, hey ? VVli., i , , " ^""^ "">- tMs identical ,n„n:o,t.l„,e n't/ 7' '" '""S^"- Mac, gently catching he ■ .C'^, T '"' !"' "'"'" ^^'^ eral waltz. '' "'" «'"'»' &'• » gen- "Don't bo alarmed, but „,in,i yo„r ,te„<, • f r.u ■'» is loolcing at us and T , . ' ' "'' *^'""'- Tlmt's perfect -take ^"" '° ''" ^'™'- ''''^t- waI..aLselLr ;:,rt™""'^'" boys," said Hose, sm1li„„„rah'" """' "'"' ^'"" »a his feet. epttin,c.i:h:r::f:r ^"'^^•"""^^• J •"« certainly i» a great improvement on the chair t t 222 ROSE IN BLOOM. business, to which I have (IcvoteJ myself with such energy that I 've broken the backs of two partners and dislocated the arm of the old rocker. I took an occasional turn with that heavy party, thinking it good practice in case I ever happen to dance with stout ladies," and Mac nodded toward Annabel, pounding gaily away with Mr. Tokio, whose yellow countenance beamed as his beady eyes rested on his \AnmY> fiancee. Pausing in the midst of her merriment at the image of Mac and the old rocking-chair. Rose said reprov- ingly, — "Though a heathen Chinee, Fun puts you to shame ; for he did not ask foolish questions, but went a wooing like a sensible little man ; and I 've no doubt Annabel will be very hajjpy." " Choose me a suitable divinity, and I will try to adore. Can I do more than that to retrieve my char- acter ? " answered Mac, safely landing his partner, and plying the fan according to instructions. "How would Emma do?" inquired Rose, whose sense of the ludicrous was strong, and who could not resist the temptation of horrifying Mac by the sug- gestion. « Never! It sets my teeth on edge to look at her to-night. I suppose that dress is ' a sweet thing just out ; ' but, upon my word, she reminds me of nothing but a harlequin ice," and Mac turned his back on her with a shudder ; for he was sensitive to discords of all kinds. sug- JUSt ^T KlTTrs BALL. 223 " She certainly does • onri f>.o* • people ,vo..M co„»i,er it doyed; ie''^' "T^ favorite word I H,,n,^ ''^ ' '^ '"^^ her a Spana,, mat..o;r : ^;:r"/'r^^ ^-■- -'^^ "'^^ Rose, much tickled bvM, °* I-^^'-gua," added «i.„ . °y "'^ new conceit. 'ni,.a.ttmigetl>erbeforeIdee,c n> "img r 'in sure of, — she »l,.,li , \ "' ""» 'Junee.ofthetim of itel '-': ""/I'" '^ ^''-^^ "'g with g,.eat di.fav„; ;:;.„n.r''"'':''-^S'-'"'- «tutues,„e flg„,,, affected *"!''/,;'''"' '"''"'« ^ clinging description. ' ^ "'" '™"'>' "nd " Then it is of no use to su yon shut yourself ud iS ^'"" *""«. if ing feilow in th it t l,' TT'T ' ^°'"^' ^-'■ -nd«ct„yse,f,i,,:t:,4-;.^2yn,a,„„, you may be right about the bo^ks fir ,i "'"' -ts of intemrorance. and atb -Iry L "^'°'"'^ to me as a bar-room to a toper 1 1 ,"' '"•'^™'»"'' pledge, and cork up the onlv b 1 f "" '° '"S" * ■ny inkstand." ^ ''""''^ *•■•■" t^-nP'^ me, _ op idyiigTna'::;!" '"""^, " '^''^"'' "> ='^^'-- ^ ' and so clear your brains for Stop put f\ \\' ' 224 ROSE IN BLOOM. a ne^v start hj and by. Do : I should .0 like to read It, cried Koso, delighted with the project ; for she was sure Mac could do any thing he hked in that line. "First live, then write. How can I go to romancing tilllknow what ron.ance means? "he aske,l soberly fooling that so far he ha,l had very little in his life. " Then you must find out, and nothing will help you more than to love some one very much. Do as I Ve advised, and be a modern Diogenes going about with spectacles, instead of a lantern, in search, not of an honest man, but a perfect woman. I do hope you will be successful," and Rose made her courtesy as tlie dance ended. "I don't expect perfection, but I should like one as good as they ever make them now-a-days. If you are looking for the honest man, I wish you success in re- turn, said Mac, relinquishing her fan with a glance of such sympathetic significance that a quick flush of feel mg rose to the girl's face, as she answered very low - ^ " If honesty was all I wanted, I certainly have found It in you." Then she went away with Charlie, who was waiting for his turn, and Mac roamed about, wondering if any where in all that crowd his future wife was hidden saying to himself, as he glanced from face to face' quite unresponsive to the various allurements dis- played, — " What care I liovv fair'slie be, If she be not fair for rue ? " ! to read ; for she in that mancing soberly, I life. ^el]) you as I 've )ut with t of JIM >1)C you Y as tJie one as ^ou are I in re- ance of of feel- low, — found raiting if any- idden, > face, 3 dis- ^T KiTTrs BALL. 225 ti'o cl,ao, to which muti '" °''''" <"" "* c«rh,_ '""^'' '=«'««o Imd reduced her 1 think you do, else whv diVlnV ^^I»en he asked ? You In ^^'^ ^''''"* ^"'"^ "^'^^^^^^^^^^^ " I didn't like to do it till T l,n^ l»m 80," stammered Kitty fir .'■ """^ """i''"'' tell "-0 settled the .atS/:^;^t"R'^ ""' ""'«' " reticular, and had esne,.;..! ' '*' '""' ""'7 ^on, because he was not o T '" ^'^'"«' "''' P^- Others astray likewise. ^""''^''"^ «^ S^tan to lead r«de, dear: but I really must ■noy uch people, even though I deel 226 ROSE IN BLOOM. meet them liere," said Rose, remembering Charlie's revelations on New-Year's night, and hardenin^r her heart against the man who had been his undoi.Tr, on that as well as on other occasions, she had reason to believe. " I couldn't help it ! Old Mr. Randal and papa are friends ; and, though I spoke of it, brother Alf wouldn't hear of passing that bad boy over," explained Kittv eagerly. ■^ * " Yet Alf forbade your driving or skating with him • for he knows better than we how unfit he is to coraj among us I d drop him to-morrow if I could ; but I must be civil m my own house. His mother brought him, and he won't dare to behave here as he does at their bachelor parties." " She ought not to have brought him till he had shown some desire to mend his ways. It is none of my busiaess, I know; but I do wish people wouldn't be so inconsistent, letting boys go to destruction, and then expecting us girls to receive, them like decent people." Rose spoke in an energetic whisper, but Annabel heard her, and exclaimed, as she turned round with a powder-puff in her hand,— " My goodness. Rose ! what 'is all that about goincr to destruction ? " <= & "She is being strong-minded; and I don't very much blame her in this case. But it leaves me in a dreadful scrape," said Kitty, supporting her spirits with a snilt of aromatic vinegar. Charlie's L'Tiing her idoiiig on reason to papa are wouldn't ed Kitty, nth him ; to come must be liim, and at their he had none of wouldn't ion, and decent •er, but d round t goin g 't very le in a spirits ^T KITTY'S BALL. g-'T f "dal a nice „o™„ to C-f", 7""" ^"""S Annabel and Em,ua with J „,; ^"' ""•"<"' '» -f «" ong prejudice against " that mal" ^^ "" for^ her m 228 ROSE IN BLOOM. ^:^\ « Well, / know him : /think him very jolly, and I 'ni engaged to dance the German with him after supiier. He leads quite as well as your cousin Charlie, and ia quite as fascinating, some people think," returned Emma, tossing her head disdainfully; for Prince Charming did not worship at her shrine, and it piqued her vanity. In spite of her quandary, Kose could not help smil- ing as she recalled Mac's comparison; for Emma turned so red with spiteful chagrin, she seemed to have added strawberry-ice to the other varieties com- posing the Harlequin. "Each must judge for herself. I shall follow Aunt Jessie's advice, and try to keep my atmosphere as pm-e as I can ; for she says every woman has her own little circle, and in it can use her influence for good, if she will. I do- will heartily; and I'll prove that I'm neither proud nor fussy by receiving, here or, at home, any respectable man you like to present to me, no matter how poor or plain or insignificant he may be." With which declaration Rose ended her protest, and the four damsels streamed downstairs together like a wandering rainbow. But Kitty laid to heart what she had said; Annabel took credit to herself for siding with her; and Emma owned that she was not try* : ' to keep her atmosphere pure when she came to dance with the objectionable Randal. So Rose's "little cir- cle" was the better for the influence she tried to exeit, although she never knew it. r, and I'm er supper, •lie, and ia returned >r Princo it piqued liclp smil- )r Emma ecmed to 3ties corn- low Aunt •e as pwo jwn little 3d, if she that I'm at home, ) me, no lay be." )test, and er like a what she )r siding ot try-"- to dance ittle cir- to exeit. ^T KiTTrs BALL. 229 :^" «"PPer.timo, Charlie kept near hor i v q»-te content with him • f ? ' ^"'^ '^° ""^^ ^i-awhimshak "he:^^^^^^^ ^«» beckoned him tow rd In l! "" "^'^'" ^^""o the sound of penning Jl , T '''' ^''^'" ^'^^«"«« ^-auenc,as^.S:t^tr^'^''^'^^^^^^^^^^ "-Dear fellow, he does trv » fi u ^ T^ T" '"'y «-»*"' for ^eJ^ ' '" """ '-' ;;Reaij.?..eriedIW, delighted, half so bright a,"d be! % ^^'""° ""^"' ^™» »»' -o^^at .; o::tX":;",:: etritr- upstairs as if on wings. ^ ^^^"^ When she came down acrain Ohn v hall, howeve,.; and, after X 'at "" "'" '" *■' offered to go and find him fo ^, 'r """'"'^' «-» hunting a lost rubber ab^: "* '''""' '^^^ ""' ^oZ;~^to"" rtl!"-« ■>-"•' -e if he too much of h said Rose, not wishing to dema: ^i- promising penitent lud f 230 ROSE IN BLOOM. I! jl I l! hi "If he has gone into that bar-room, I'll have him out, no matter who is there ! » growled Mac to him- self, as he made his way to the small apartment whither the gentlemen retired for a little private re- freshment when the spirit moved, as it often did The door was ajar, and Charlie seemed to have iust entered; for Mac heard a familiar voice call out, in a jovial tone, — " Come, Prince ! you 're just in time to help us drink Steve s health with all the honors." "Can't stop; only ran in to say good-night. Van. Had a capital time ; but I 'm on duty, and must go." Ihat s a new dodge. Take a stirrup-cup anyway and come back in time for a merry-go-rounder when you ve disposed of the ladies," answered the youn«. host, diving into the wine-cooler for another bottle "^ « Charlie 's going in for sanctity, and it doesn't seem to agree with him," laughed one of the two other young men, who occupied several chairs apiece, resting their soles in every sense of the word. "Apron-strings are coming into fashion, -the bluer the better: hey. Prince?" added the other, trying to be witty, with the usual success. "" "You 'd better go home early yourself, Barrow, or that tongue of yours will get you into trouble," re- torted Charlie, conscious that he ought to take his own advice yet lingering, nervously putting on his gloves, While the glasses were being filled. "Now, brother-in-law, fire away I Here you are, have him c to hini- ipartment rivate re- did, have just out, in a » us drink ?ht, Van. ist go." anyway, ler when e young ottle. n't seem 'o other , resting tie bluer ying to •row, or le," re- ^lis own gloves, 3u are, AT KlTTrs BALL. 231 to hTeo.i'i:'";:'^' \«"'^^ "-- the table for the boys all knew ri, , "'"" ^" *»' doing; '-0 to defend U^l^T ""'""'' '"'' "^"^"^ t-d't\*t'': w!'' "^^ *"'=™- "— . Mac en- abbreviated^and .S' ''"'™""S ""^ "--go in an ::f;e^^.ai.i„rr;rr:^:™'- And Steve was lifting th, ^. '"^ , "«''o '« to you ! " Mao knocked the gU° Z Tf T 1 "'"^ ''>^' '"'^■' the eye that caused Li/bot \ '' '""' " ""^ »* f--th ope, in t^ !:;!;•;--;-'.!». With .oe^ed to excite Jfac stil, n.o • fo ^"'' '''""" young host, he said in a l„. •' ' "''"'"S to his that .ade the genUeVenTnTrr'^i'"'"'-'' denly,-_ "° ^^^ Ci^airs sit up sud- -a tTdt:;;:;!™"^ « - ^ but I can. beyond his strength or It" r'" """"''^^ '»'>» Tbat -s plain En^lFsl/: bL / f ''""« »* bimself. for I know not one „f v „ t" n' '"'" ^'"'"'-= -'; «e, and you wi„ if y^. r.^ ' l!"':""^"- Char-' -»u you Will if you (Jo,,^ , , , . » -^ Winf fi^ . ^^^ ^'"1 alone, vvnat do you ntr-h , •„...__ „ . _ you pitch into me for ? I ve done noth- iM .it 232 ROSE m BLOOM. I> !» !"%•„ ^!^^^''^ """'* ^' "'"^^^ ^» ^^« «^^" J^O"«e, mustn't he ? asked Van, good-humoredly, as he faced about, corkscrew in hand. ;' Yes but it is not civil to urge or joke a guest into doing what you know and he knows is bad for him That s only a ghiss of wine to you, but it is perdition to Charhe ; and, if Steve knew what he was about, he d cut hjs right hand off before he 'd offer it " "Do you mean to say I 'm tipsy?" demanded Steve, rufflmg up hke a little game-cock ; for, though he saw now^what he had done and was ashamed of it, he hated to have Mac air his peculiar notions before other people. "With excitement, not champagne, I hope: for I wouldn't own you if you were," answered Mac, in whom mdignation was effervescing like th^ wine in the forgotten bottle; for the men were all young friends of Steve's and admirers of Charlie's. "Look here, boys," he went on more quietly : « I know I ou-^. foro?e:a:rd:;r;i:::r,''"f-''^''Mendaha„d the finest fellow I know ^ ^ "^ ^''■■"•"" ' ^or he 's poor Randa, ifVca:;:ipt,.*^"' '" *° '"^ ''-'' ""« Murmurs of appi^s^ f express a general assent toT,, • *™ '"""''"^ to "nd, giving the hand a grateful Ir^r"' '"""'"™' = the door, anxious to be off , ' """ '•'""•'''"^<' to t^withsuehunlt^Ltr.'J'--- freed his tH vaT ";.:xTo r"=" 'r '- '- -- ^o- ;» take it out irLij::i7-r •''•'' ^- t^a \ f;:,^r'r - "•'■-PtV as he eame, - '•«"'- thick '^-- o.-ea.u,.e adore" , e Lt !,"^ "'''™' ">»' '"» «>« ^ord like a n>a„ aid T ""^ '-"^ »». -y " An very ensv „/ . '" ^°" »'•''•" y- "P eve,,. ,i„„ ':t "d r" '^■- ""'' *"P """ered Charlie, kno'eUnlThwTr"' "" """■'''" « -<'"«f to hit something ° i, . "^°"' ''^ '^ " ^''™ l«'d humor that eveni : 'b ° "'"^ '" " Sloriously ■ "■« hands .inee he ,7^^:, '""" """S '--, i - W withont danger CZJ^;; '""'''"' "^ ^'^ -e:''h:::t::::;;;:;/«'-otion3;,o.,, '"-• K%'. so; doll tir°^'"""'^''-^ respect, have n,y own ^,„„;,Ji/^ *'^« «hom with r>"--^-%and::::r;?-5 iand. '"^""'■^ oh.pwreok in sight of =""« heingv and t !„ t" '" ?" "" ''"«"''^' "--«"■ Sood Shot whieh won SS r^^" '^ '"^''<" '' ""alwayswerealiickviiTfi ,' „ •'^^-"^e ,o„ a particle ',.;>"' ''■'^«- ^ -^^'t '•><"- as if things weren't ouite v""""'' """ " •^'"" quite tau- sometimes," said i m i 236 ROSE IN BLOOM. Archie, suppressing an envior. sigli ; for, though he seldom complained, it was impossible to contrast his own and his cousin's prospects with perfect equa- nimity. ^ 'His Always observed Mac, worth confides lines forth the brightest who in hope '''"'■ • the abject soul despairs/" rved Mac, quoting Jiuripides in a conversational tone, as he lay upon a divan reposing after a hard days work. "Thank you," said Archie, brightening a little ; for a hopeful word from any source was very comfortable. ^ That s your favorite Rip, isn't it ? He was a wise old boy, but you could find advice as good as that nearer home, put in Steve, who just then felt equal to slapping Plato on the shoulder; so elated was he at being engaged "first of all the lot," as he gracefully expressed it. ^ "Don't halloo till you are ont of the wood, Dandy: Mrs. K,t has jilted two men, and may a third ; so you 'd better not brag of your wi.dom too soon ; for she may make a fool of you yet," said Charlie, cynieally, his views of hfe being very gloomy about this time. " No, she won't, Steve, it you do your part honestly. There s the making of a good little woman in Kitty and she has proved it by taking you instead of those other fellows. You are not a Solomon, but you 're ?,ot spoilt yet ; and she had the sense to see it," said Mac encouragingly from his corner; for he and his brother ■'- *^^"-? though he iontrast his rfect equa- j hope versational -er a hard little ; for mfortable. He was a )od as that felt equal was he at gracefully [, Dandy : so you 'd • she may ically, his ne. honestly, in Kitty, of those u 're liot aid Mac, } brother ^OTII STDES. 23^ ^'--l «pon the hcanh-™'^:? *V™»-'- "" coat-taih, rising and falli,,; u ''^'' ""<"«■• his '•t^-'-fhisneatlltt:;:™"'^'^"!'™ «>o toes havenT;: '"g^t'lf t"*? Tl T- °" '"^ """^ = ■f ever there ,vas a poor devil h„ ." "'"""S^' ^"^ i' i» C. C. Campbell ''LI " """'^'"' "" ^"' «'■•"■. «hm on his one C i'h TZ '''"' '"^'""^ ''- countonaneesfortrjltoterT-^'r''"^^'"'' "' "o,-k till one gets used "to I ^ ^ " °''^" ^"'-y ^-d -r^c'dToTerttT"^'' ^"'' '^ '^ --^ »Pon his back, repeated on o'b^^'? "'" '^'"^ flat Beaumont and Fletcher; for he hZ " ^''' *™"' "■■^•^"^-••'^-'»«poetr;;'':Lt;::rt::ir- Command, .1, ,ig,,., „„ f„„„^'„= ™" him. '6 ^^e one that undid His cousins never knew exactly what occurred on '- ^'iiii ■iff r> 238 ii f i Ml! Ill !! 11! 1 II M SOSE IN BLOOM. m New.Tear's night, but suspected that Bomethfn,. wa, am..; for Cha-lie ha., the Mue. and Rose, h X ' IZ f Ti '' " "" """"""'^ "»'' ^«"