Rose In Bloom. Louisa May Alcott

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Название Rose In Bloom
Автор произведения Louisa May Alcott
Жанр Языкознание
Серия
Издательство Языкознание
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9783849659134



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      Rose In Bloom

       A Sequel To Eight Cousins

      LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

      

      

      

       Rose in Bloom, L. May Alcott

       Jazzybee Verlag Jürgen Beck

       86450 Altenmünster, Loschberg 9

       Deutschland

      

       ISBN: 9783849659134

      

       www.jazzybee-verlag.de

       [email protected]

      

      

      

      CONTENTS:

       CHAPTER I. COMING HOME. 1

       CHAPTER II. OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES. 16

       CHAPTER III. MISS CAMPBELL. 28

       CHAPTER IV. THORNS AMONG THE ROSES. 37

       CHAPTER V. PRINCE CHARMING. 43

       CHAPTER VI. POLISHING MAC. 53

       CHAPTER VII. PHEBE. 66

       CHAPTER VIII. BREAKERS AHEAD. 80

       CHAPTER IX. NEW-YEAR'S CALLS. 86

       CHAPTER X. THE SAD AND SOBER PART. 96

       CHAPTER XI. SMALL TEMPTATIONS. 103

       CHAPTER XII. AT KITTY'S BALL. 114

       CHAPTER XIII. BOTH SIDES. 126

       CHAPTER XIV. AUNT CLARA'S PLAN. 136

       CHAPTER XV. ALAS FOR CHARLIE! 141

       CHAPTER XVI. GOOD WORKS. 149

       CHAPTER XVII. AMONG THE HAY-COCKS. 157

       CHAPTER XVIII. WHICH WAS IT?. 167

       CHAPTER XIX. BEHIND THE FOUNTAIN. 180

       CHAPTER XX. WHAT MAC DID. 185

       CHAPTER XXI. HOW PHEBE EARNED HER WELCOME. 192

       CHAPTER XXII. SHORT AND SWEET. 198

      CHAPTER I. COMING HOME.

      Three young men stood together on a wharf one bright October day, awaiting the arrival of an ocean steamer with an impatience which found a vent in lively skirmishes with a small lad, who pervaded 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 handsomest 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 exemplary young man. He has just gone into business with the merchant uncle, and bids fair to be an honor to his family. The other, with the eye-glasses and no gloves, is Mac, the odd one, just out of college."

      "And the boy?"

      "Oh, he is Jamie, the youngest brother of Archibald, and the pet of the whole family. Mercy on us! he'll be in if they don't hold on to him."

      The ladies' chat came to a sudden end just there; for, by the time Jamie had been fished out of a hogshead, the steamer hove in sight and every thing else was forgotten. As it swung slowly round to enter the dock, a boyish voice shouted,—

      "There she is! I see her and uncle and Phebe! Hooray for Cousin Rose!" and three small cheers were given with a will by Jamie, as he stood on a post waving his arms like a windmill, while his brother held on to the tail of his jacket.

      Yes, there they were,—Uncle Alec swinging his hat like a boy, with Phebe smiling and nodding on one side, and Rose kissing both hands delightedly on the other, as she recognized familiar faces and heard familiar voices welcoming her home.

      "Bless her dear heart, she's bonnier than ever! Looks like a Madonna,—doesn't she?—with that blue cloak round her, and her bright hair flying in the wind!" said Charlie excitedly, as they watched the group upon the deck with eager eyes.

      "Madonnas don't wear hats like that. Rose hasn't changed much, but Phebe has. Why, she's a regular beauty!" answered Archie, staring with all his might at the dark-eyed young woman, with the 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 stretched 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 was 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 Mac 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 procession, while Jamie danced rapturous jigs before