ch both reproached and comforted him.

"My little saint! I don't deserve one half your goodness to me, but I
will, and go away without one complaint to do my best, for your sake,"
he cried, touched by her grief and stirred to emulation by the example
of courage and integrity she tried to set him.

Here Kitty and Steve bore down upon them; and, obeying the impulse to
put care behind them, which makes it possible for young hearts to ache
one minute and dance the next, Rose and Charlie banished their troubles,
joined in the sport that soon turned the lonely little bay into a
ballroom, and enjoyed the splendors of a winter sunset forgetful of
separation and Calcutta.

Chapter 15 ALAS FOR CHARLIE!

In spite of much internal rebellion, Charlie held fast to his
resolution, and Aunt Clara, finding all persuasions vain, gave in and in
a state of chronic indignation against the world in general and Rose in
particular, prepared to accompany him. The poor girl had a hard time of
it and, but for her uncle, would have fared still worse. He was a sort
of shield upon which Mrs. Clara's lamentations, reproaches, and irate
glances fell unavailingly instead of wounding the heart against which
they were aimed.

The days passed very quickly now, for everyone seemed anxious to have
the parting over and preparations went on rapidly. The big house was
made ready to shut up for a year at least, comforts for the long voyage
laid in, and farewell visits paid. The general activity and excitement
rendered it impossible for Charlie to lead the life of an artistic
hermit any longer and he fell into a restless condition which caused
Rose to long for the departure of the Rajah when she felt that he would
be safe, for these farewell festivities were dangerous to one who was
just learning to say "no."

"Half the month safely gone. If we can only get well over these last
weeks, a great weight will be off my mind," thought Rose as she went
down one wild, wet morning toward the end of February.

Opening the study door to greet her uncle, she exclaimed, "Why, Archie!"
then paused upon the threshold, transfixed by fear, for in her cousin's
white face she read the tidings of some great affliction.

"Hush! Don't be frightened. Come in and I'll tell you," he whispered,
putting down the bottle he had just taken from the doctor's medicine
closet.

Rose understood and obeyed, for Aunt Plenty was poorly with her
rheumatism and depended on her mornin