Page:Rose in Bloom (Alcott).djvu/207

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

many lovers you may have, you'll never be to any of them as dear as you are to me."

A traitorous break in his voice warned Charlie to stop there: and, with no other good-by, he very wisely went away, leaving Rose to put the neglected flowers into water with remorseful care, and lay away the bracelet, saying to herself,—

"I'll never wear it till I feel as I did before; then he shall put it on, and I'll say 'Yes.'"


CHAPTER XI.

SMALL TEMPTATIONS.

"O ROSE, I've got something so exciting to tell you!" cried Kitty Van Tassel, skipping into the carriage next morning when her friend called for her to go shopping.

Kitty always did have some "perfectly thrilling" communication to make, and Rose had learned to take them quietly: but the next demonstration was a new one; for, regardless alike of curious observers outside and disordered hats within, Kitty caught Rose round the neck, exclaiming in a rapturous whisper,—

"My dearest creature, I'm engaged!"

"I'm so glad! Of course it is Steve?"