Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia, Riikka Talonpoika and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net 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. "Just go on and slice it all up," he answered with a laugh. "I'd rather watch you than eat." "Wait till I butter these for you and then you can eat--and watch me--me finish working the butter. Won't that do as well? Think what an encouragement your interest will be to me! Really, nothing in the world paces a woman's work like a man looking on, and if he doesn't stop her she'll drop under the line. Now, you have your bread and butter and you can sit over there by the door and help me turn off this ten pounds in no time."