Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-05-05
THE DRESS-MAKER.

1Aey were sitting in the library of the
fine old country house, with a bright fire
blazing on the hearth and the bay-win-
dow, curtained with warm, crimson folds,
just revealed a glimpse of clear, orange
twilight, belted with the silver crescent
of the new moon. You could not distin
guish much from the Pickering, uncertain
light; but the eye Of romaneist is sup
posed to be preternaturally gifted, and
the pen of romancist in no why deviates
from the truth in saying that Charles
Trevor was tall, and dark, and handsome,
with wavy, black hair where the brown
shadows melted almost imperceptibly into
blackness.
And Ruth Murray, shall we
say Of her as she sits there on the sofa,
with the capricious FIRE CLEANS darting in
lines of light up and down the bugle-
trimming of her piquant, velve. Jacket,
and occasionally pausing to mirror them
selves pefeefSpeiy III TIE liquid depths ef
lovely eyes? What can we say ? Ouly
that she was very small and very plump,
with long, brown eyelashes, aud her lips
red and ripe as strawberries, and her hair
like golden water stirred into fantastic
ripples by the summer evening winds
Only that she was wonderfully pretty
and eoquettish withal as most pretty
girls are apt to be. Isn't that enough !?
Charley" she said, thoughtfuIly play
ing with one of the sparkling buttons Of
her jacket, 81 believe that you love me-
but Im afraid that your sentiments will
undergo an alteration when you now
that--that-"
"That what?'
q ought to hare told you before, fai
tered Ruth, oOlorins yiria4y, and seem
ing to shrink away from the ruddy shine
Of the FIRE, 'oniy-"
"Told me what, dathns?"
"That [ am only dressmaker"
"You dressmaker and visiting at
Wardley Place ?''
"Kate Wardley and I were school COM
panions, Charley; and she is very kind !;
and she promised to tell nobody, lest peo-
pie should be cold to me-
"Stop minute, Ruth," said Mr. TIE
vor. Il didn't ask .he question because
the fact made one whit's difference in our
relations toward one another; only, was
taken little by surprise, as it were. A
dreSsmaker, are you? Well, Ruth, l
shouldn't care if you were a crossing
sweeper. love you, and that's quite en-
ough for me"
but Charley, am poor and obscure"
"What of that I'm not rich, by any
means; but am fully capable of work
ing for both Of US; and as for being poor
and obscure, why, we'll try and see if we
cannot make a name for ourselves in the
world, Ruth"
"But you are not obscure, Charles.
The Trevors stand high in the circles of
fashion. [ knew that, humble little dress
maker though | am"
"What then 2"
"Why the world will say hat you have
made a naesaUiance.
"And what care | for th, worlds YER
dict, as long as am happy n your love
Little Ruth, what sort of mercenary
renegade do you take me- for? | love
you, and I'm going to mary you"
There was a glitter supiciously like
tears on the long eyelids, as Ruth felt
Charles Trevor's loving glance resting on
her face, and the little hand stole softly
into his with an unconciolsly confding
movement.
Charley" said Ruth, i. a soft, stihed
voice, "Ill try and be | good wife to
you"
And then, oh, strange irscrutable heart
OF woman Ruth Murray cried, just be-
cause she was so happy.
And the next day, th gay country
house coterie broke up--all the guests
going their several ways, md owning, one
to another, that they hadhad delight
full time," and entered upon the next
chapter in their book o fashionable dis
sipation, while Ruth Murray went home
to house with a shop where plate
bore the word, "Miss Mackenzie, Dress
maker"
The bright, January unshlne was turn