Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. [Illustration: With what pleasure the boy presented his mother with his first week's earnings.] ROSE COTTAGE A Story BY ELEANORA H. STOOKE Author of "Polly's Father," "Little Gem," &c. London: GALL AND INGLIS, 25 PATERNOSTER SQUARE; AND EDINBURGH. PRINTED AND BOUND BY GALL AND INGLIS LUTTON PLACE EDINBURGH CONTENTS. CHAPTER. I. THE NEW ARRIVALS. II. "WE DIDN'T MEAN." III. JIM GETS WORK. IV. THE GOOD SHEPHERD. V. A REQUEST. VI. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL TREAT. VII. THE ACCIDENT. VIII. A GREAT CHANGE. ROSE COTTAGE CHAPTER I. THE NEW ARRIVALS. SUNLEIGH was a beautifully situated little village lying between two hills, with a rippling stream flowing close by through fertile meadow lands, now golden with daffodils. In the most sheltered hedges, white violets and primroses were peeping through beds of moss, and ferns were unfolding their tender green fronds to the welcome warmth of the kindly March sun. Yet, it felt keenly still in the shade, and Marian Morris, the vicar's only daughter, drew her fur boa closer around her throat as she walked up the village street, pausing for a moment at the baker's, and then passing on to Mrs. Mugford's establishment, the post-office and general shop of the place. One could buy almost anything at Mrs. Mugford's—drapery, grocery, stationery, ironmongery, and, in fact, nearly every commodity one was likely to require. Whilst making her purchases, Miss Morris was entertained by Mrs. Mugford with all the latest village news. The owner of the village shop was a large, red-faced woman, with bright brown eyes like a robin's, and sleek, neatly banded iron-grey hair. She was a bit of a gossip, it is true, but a very kindly one. Never was there a case of distress in the parish that did not reach her ears, and receive a sympathetic hearing, and such help as she could give. "I have new neighbours," she told Miss Morris, nodding towards a pretty thatched cottage on the opposite side of the street. "Rose Cottage has been taken by a family called Lethbridge—father, mother, and four children. They moved in only yesterday." "Lethbridge!" said Miss Morris thoughtfully. "I don't think I know the name." "No, miss. They come from a distance. The man was groom in some gentleman's stables, I hear." "Has he work in the village, then?" in interested tones.