Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-07-31
THE PRESERVE CLOSET.

"Upon my word, this is about the cool
est proceeding | ever knew p
Colonel Templar sat in his bachelor
sanctum, where the rays of an April sun
shone in lines of gold among the Neapo-
Titan vioIets in the window, and drove the
little canary half wild with silver-yoiced
dehght--a sanetum crowded with mis-
cellaneous confusion Of meerchaums in
different stages of color, dressing gowns,
cigar-boxes, newspapers, and gorgeous
velvet sEppers--he contracted his brow
moodily over letter whose pink paper
and delicate scent Of foreign perfume be-
token a troublesome lady correspondent.
DEAR SIDNEY Yes, I'm always
dear when Bertha wants disagreeable
commission executed-'an eligible house
somewhere, in some nice locality, it sure
ly can be no trouble to engage one for u.s.
No trouble, quothal that's just woman S
random idea No trouble to rush from
pillar to post house hunting, Where's
the indemnity Of baehelothood, I'd like to
know? T might as well be married
man in. earnest, if I'm to be saddled with
all the responsibility of things. I won't
be imposed upon--I'll write to Bertha at
once, aad tell her"
Colonel Templar gave bis jet. black
mustache savage jerk, and pulled his
wiring desk resolutely forward, Then q
softer mood seemed to dawn athwart his
mind-he hesitated, biting the handle of
his pen meditatiYely. 4---..
"Poor little Bertha-she always was my
pet cousin, and suppose it is. rather in
convenient for her to come all the way
here to look for house-and her hus-
band will be in India till the middle of
May, and-well the upshot of the whole
matter is that I'm doomed to yictimize
myself, and the sooner. it's over the bet
ter. HeighoI where's the newspaper
III just look over the To Lets first, then
III go to the estate agencies p
The sun was peeping from behind
masses Of flying clouds, like shy beauty
who alternately smiles and hides her face;
the air was full of faint odors, even in
this brick and mortar wilderness, when
Colonel Sidney Templar sailed bravely
forth, armed and equipped with various
references, directions and addresses, to
engage in the momentous business Of
house-hunting. e
He was not handsome man yet you
would have turned involuntarily to look
after him as he sauntered by, attracted by
the deep smothered fire of his dark eyes
and the firm outline Of his lips. No
Colonel TempIar was not handsome, but
he was one that the ladies term interest
ing" Moreover; he carried an empty
sleeve where the left arm should have
been-an everlasting memorial of the red
battle clouds go 1Tl a-t D.
ait seems comical enough for me to go
house-hunting, mused Iemplar, as he
strode onward through the dusty streets.
"For me, the solitary, homeless recluse of
one-and-thirty years old. -Four years ago
things appeared differently to me-four
years ago I might have dreamed of a
home of my own, with Marion CaryPs
bright eyes to light up its hearth-stone
All, me this is a world of change! a
careless word-a little misunderstanding
and here | am, crippled old soldier,
while Marion is probably making the sun
shine of some other mans life Hold on
Il am getting maudlin and romantic
Ell, Sidney Telnplar? This will never do
ola FOIlou, -