Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-04-29

Pldy iofSo' ueeper game was DelnS
played; each player striving to win, each
planning their moves to obtain victory in
the contest known as conquest of hearts.
On Jennie's cheeks Slight rough tint
was raised and down in the clear DEPTHS
Of her eyes queer light was burning.
a light SO tender, so gentle, SO full of
love-llke the spiritualized eyes we some
times see In the works of the art-masters
but SO seldom seen in real life. That
pure, Madoma-like look--it LASTED but a
m oment. but in that moment forgot she
was woman, and ranked her with the
| angels.
, In the game, Jennie grew eager. 1t
was her play. She had been making
splendid runs. I stood ct the head of
the board, one hand resting on its rim,
the other behind me, holding the malIet
She was leaning over the side, carefully
| aiming to drive her balls against mine
AS she stopped, her face was in a line
over my hand, the stray hairs of her fore
head were stirred by my breath Sud.
denly | felt warm ihoistening on the
back Of my hand. Looking quickly, |
saw it stained with a drop of crimson.
tennie dropped her mallet and pressed a
handkerchief to her lips. She was death
ly pale. and a stream Of blood was flowing
from her mouth. trickling through her
fingers and ia. ling in red drops to the car
peted floor
"Jennie, my darling 2" I exclaimed
the darling" coming out an unbidden
outburst from a heart scarcely yet con
scious that she was dear to it. Smiling
family. she said
''it's nothing, it will soon be over"
Then she passed quickly to another
room, and as | followed to assist saw at
a glance that it was her chamber Hest
tatlng at the doorway, [ stood for a mo-
ment as she laved her lips with water
from basin.
This is the dear girl, thought I, whose
affections | have been trying to trife
with, to crafty wicked and foolish vani-
ty. And with this mental storm of self
accusation | realized that [ loved her.
A light of scif-knowledge broke upon
me. AS the sunlight breaking through
the clouds in sprn time, it came quick
ly. filing MY heart my whole being, with
love for this gentle girl, trembling as II
We're on the verge OF the grave.
Jennie soon re appeared, smiling, and
seeming to think it m.tter of no cou-
sequence, saying that these attacks never
frightened her, and that she often felt
better for having hal them. | took her
hand in my own On her pale cheek "A
hectic flush was gathering and her large
eyes shone with dim lus,re. Drawing
her near to me, passed my arm, around
her, her light form yieiiing passively il
my embrace. Her head fell to my
shoulder, and pressed her fondly to my
heart, with deep yearning, a longing 70
hold her there forever drew her near
Or to me. aud covering with my lips hei
eyes, pressed upon theun kisses.
William, you are stealing, said she,
as [ raised my head. and she looked at
me with the love-Iight beaming in her
great, bright eyes.
Stealing, is it? Yet I would steal
more Your heart, Jennie; a pearl dear
er to me than the gems OF he East" ="
She raised her hand to my shoulder
letting her fingers drop carelcssly My
senses thrilled and our breaths mingled
as she said
DO you want me, William ?''
"Can you doubt Ii? Yes, [ do want
you, my darling"
She made no answer, but her lips met
mine fondly and in the swee ecstacy OF
the pressure knew she was ny Jennie,
my darling. What need was tnere for
words, then? What need for her to say
she was my own, as | held her th re III
that loving embrace to my heart
The course Of our love ran long SO
smoothly that one day. months after,
said to Jennie: How ls it You
know the old adage that true love never
runs smooth. Does it not seems as ii
our case was an exceptional o, ,e !"
The gay smile on her face faded as
she answered, slowly: "The ship that
sails may fancy itself free from danger.
because the sky is clear and the water
still How knoweth she how soon the
storm may come, or of the breakers that
may be ahead ?" Then she stopped and
smiled with cold smile, that sent chill
through me, rs she added: 'Or af the
little worm craving away at her pianks.
How do you know but the planks Of our
ship OF love may not be honey-combed
by Il worm %
l made no reply, and shortly after took
my departure, inquiring, however, if she
would be at home the next evening.
Il don't know WHITTIER | will be or
not" she answered with a little spiteful
Jerking accent or the mot"
In the evasive answer | felt that one
worm. at least. was eating its way into
the plauks of our ship Of love, and that
In the still water wherel n sailed in fan