Title:  Rose of Old Harpeth

Author:  Maria Thompson Daviess

Release Date:  February 28, 2005 [EBook #15195]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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ROSE OF OLD HARPETH

[Illustration:  Rose Mary]

ROSE OF

OLD HARPETH

BY MARIA THOMPSON DAVIESS

Author of “Miss Selina Lue,” “The Road to Providence,”
“The Melting of Molly,” etc.

[Illustration]

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

By W.B.  King

A.L.  BURT COMPANY

PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

1911

THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY

I DEDICATE

ROSE MARY

TO MY MOTHER

LEONORA HAMILTON DAVIESS

AND THE WHOLE BOOK

TO MY GRANDMOTHER

MARIA THOMPSON DAVIESS

ROSE OF OLD HARPETH

CHAPTER I

ROSE MARY OF SWEETBRIAR

“Why, don’t you know nothing in the world compliments a loaf of bread like the asking for a fourth slice,” laughed Rose Mary as she reached up on the stone shelf above her head and took down a large crusty loaf and a long knife.  “Thick or thin?” she asked as she raised her lashes from her blue eyes for a second of hospitable inquiry.

“Thin,” answered Everett promptly, “but two with the butter sticking ’em together.  Please be careful with that weapon!  It’s as good as a juggler’s show to watch you, but it makes me slightly—­solicitous.”  As he spoke he seated himself on the corner of the wide stone table as near to Rose Mary and the long knife as seemed advisable.  A ray of sunlight fell through the door of the milk-house and cut across his red head to lose itself in Rose Mary’s close black braids.

“Make it four,” he further demanded over the table.

“Indeed and I will,” answered Rose Mary delightedly.  And as she spoke she held the loaf against her breast and drew the knife through the slices in a fascinatingly dangerous manner.  At the intentness of his regard the color rose up under the lashes that veiled her eyes, and she hugged the loaf closer with her left hand.  “Would you like six?” she asked innocently, as the fourth stroke severed the last piece.