LITTLE'SISTER ROSE-MARIE.

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 20

LITTLE'SISTER ROSE-MARIE.

Lillle Sister Rose-Marie, • Will thy feet as willing light ' ■ Run through Paradise, I wonder, As they run^ the blue sides under, Willing feel, so. airy-light! Little Sister Rose-Marie, Will thy voice, as bird-note clear. Lift and ripple over Heaven As its mortal sound is given, '. ' ■'.••'.' Swift bird-voice, so ydung and clear? How God ivill be glad of thcc* ' Little Sister Rose-Marie! ■', ■ ■•■'*. '■ —Adelqide Crapsey.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY ... ■ ~«. -.._ . ' ■... , ■. ;_ (Written foy the Ring by "Maisie Gay," 17,/ Island Bay.)' ' ' ; * PART 11. v '"•■•'■ s ■' ; HE paused for a moment beforo. answering. "Is there any chaneo of our being seen?"' he asked/ "Oh! no," declared Anne, "there is no ouo about. My mother is with my Aunt Merryman, two miles away. My aunt is convaloscingfrom a fever, and my mother will stay, with her until aupper-time. My brother Jack" is at the market all day, and he will not return until'very late. All:' the farm-hands arc away in the fields, and kitchen-maid goes away every'afternoon; so I assuro you that you will not bo seen." ".-." . , •The Cavalier, convinced of. his;j. safety, ros and buckled his cloak over his shoulders. Anno started to lead1 the way, but befbro'ho moved he asked, smiling: ,■•■•,. "And who is tho kind maid.l am to thank for all this?" ' "My name is Anne Mcrryinan, sir," answered Anue, curtseying. "A pretty name," remarked tho Cavalier, "almost as pretty as its bearer." Anne flushed slightly and asked him to follow., As they walked across the fields towards tho homestead Anne asked .her companion whether ho had ever seen tho King. Ho told hor ho had, and'at her suggestion, he described some of tho scenes ho had witnessed at Court. lie givvo her a brilliant description of life in London, and had started to describe tho presentation of1 Shakespeare's " Tho" Merchant of Venice" at tho Globo Thcatro when they roached the building that was to bo tho temporary residence of this once noble lord. Ho promised to continue his talks when sko camo to bring his food. Thcro was no one in eight, so Anno opened tho old barn-door and went in, followed by tho fugitive. "I think it would be safer for you in tho loff," she said. The Cavalier bowed.. "I will follow you, fair Mistress Anne." She led tho way np a ladder, and soon they wero both standing in the loft. Tho Cavalier spoke, determinedly and in a lowered voice. "You had better go now, child, in caso you aro missed. I havo sufficient food with me until tomorrow, so there is no need for you -to como hero until then. Once again, I thank you.'" Ho bowed with a flourish. ■ . "Oh, no, sir!" said Anne. "It is a pleasuro to help you, and—and it .is bo exciting," she added. / ' ~ ■ Tho Cavalier took hor hand in his, raised it to Ins Jips, and'said: "Until tomorrow, fair maid 1" .

Anno left him quickly with a mixed feeling of excitement and feai". She must keep her secret at any cost, and sho ran towards tho house with her lips pressed tightly together. For thr'eo days Anno .had no trouble' in keeping her secret. Every evening after sup_per, when everyone was in bed,-,'sho'would slip out of the house with a little bundle of food that sho- had' collected during the day. It was twilight, until very lato in midsummer, thus.eho had no difficulty; in finding her way. Once up in the loft sh? would spread the meal on ai box that formed tho table "and talk to ,the t Cavalier while .ho partook of his evening meal. Afterward.* ho would tell her about his own children, especially about" Iris threo daughters. Ho spoke of one particularly, 'who roinintled liim of Anno, and who was only two years, her senior.. Her name was Elizabeth, and she was very delicate. His eyes wore clouded when he spoke of her, but ho tried as far as possiblo to entertain Anne,, not to depress her. Such was tho manner in which they spent tho first three days. On tho fourth day, Mrs, Morrymau had risen very early, and was making pancakes; for, she had said, 'twas Shrove Tuesday, and sho must needs give pancakes to all the labourers as well as to .her family. In tho afternoon; sho was receiving, some guests, and Anne was left alone. Bestlessly she wandered in^'tho ■garden until, 'at last-she decided to go and see- her fugitive'..fiopner than usual. ; She ran;,into the house and packed a basket ■•-..■'■ .'■■.'£ ■■'■'■'■ " -'-, : "•■•': ' "'"■ i

of pancakes and other foods In her customary manner. After having put tm her bonnet aid-arranged her curls, she set forth. At the end of the garden she was met by her brother Jack. "Where arc you going to, my pretty maid?" asked Jack laughing. "For a walk," answered Anno, shortly. ] "Must you take a basket with you?" . "Yes." - . » ' "And what is in tlio basket, ni'Anno?" lie came towards her ana bewail to remove tho serviette covering tlio food. " 'Tis somothing for Aunt Mcrryman," said Anno impatiently. "Do not hinder mo, please." "Let mo take it, Anne, 'twill snvo you a journey." "I want to see her myself." Anne's faco was flushed-.with auger, or fear. ' "Then let mo accompany my sister," suggested Jack. _ " (To be concluded.) ' * ~ ■\