Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-04-02
DEATH-BL0W FROM AN UNSEEN
HAND.

"What an odd idea, Florence-a
bracelet instead of an engagement
ring? Was it Victor's idea, or your
! own 2"
Ny own, mamma"
Florence Atherton turned from the
window, out of which she had been
gazing, and drew near her mothers
side.
Even in the vague twilight glimmer-
| ing that filed, just then, the sitting
room at Eight Elms, it was easy to see
what an exquisite softness Of express
sion the young girls face wore, framed
in feecy afHuence of pale, golden hair,
and lighted with deep blue, earnest
eyes.
"You know, mamma, that most of
my ideas are odd," Florence went on
presently, in mild, meditative tones.
&c have fancy that something which
merely clasps the finger is not half so
strong love bond as something which
clasps the arm.- HoWeverthis may be,
Victor has. yielded to my wish, and
has promised that [ shall have the
bracelet by tonight
"Victor would give you his head,
Florence, if you were only to put the
request persuasively enough % voice
in the doorway now exclaimed; and
| Ietitia Atherton entered the room a
moment later
She was, perhaps, two years the
Junior of her sister Florence, and
though belonging to wholly opposite
type of beauty was yet fair to look
upon. Her eyes and hair were of orient
al darkness; her figure, though yet
scarcely developed to It's utmost, pro
phetic of faultless symmetry and ripe
ness and the abandon of her graceful
carriage and gestures would have been
sufficient to fascinate many a male
heart, even if their accompanying
charms had not existed. sz-
e Sc You are sure, Florence" asked
Mrs. Atherton, that Victor will arrive
from the city this evening7, -r
So he assured me- was the answer.
4 always believe Victor's promises,
mamma"
Late that evening Florence's lover
made his appearance at Eight Elms,
bringing with him the bracelet IAN
exquisite shackle- shaped piece of
Etruscan gold, studded with fine
opals), which, as we know, his tfancee
had considered preferable to the more
conventional engagement ring.
This Victor Buchanan was a fine,
manly looking fellow, whom Florence
had met several months previously
whilst on visit to some relatives in
New York and the acquaintance then
formed between herself and her pres
ent lover had rather speedily ripened
into an attachment. The match was a
brilliant one for Florance, as Victor
Buchanan was already the possessor of
ceased parents.
A month after the evening on which
! Florence's singular love gauge was
! brought to her, she became the wife of
| Victor Buchanan, and bade her mother
and sisters farewell, for what promised
! to be at least years absence among
| the sights and diversions of European
! tour.
The young bride was SO perfectly
happy at the thought of being finally
united to whom she almost worshiped
as god, that in her farewells there
| was little evidence of actual sorrow,
while Mrs. Atherton bore up with ad-
mirable self-control in saying adieu to
/ her first born and best loved daughter.
Letitia, however, wept very bitterly.
" [ am the most miserable creature
in all christendom," she walled on the
afternoon of the day which had wit
messed Florence's departure & don't
/ care to live an hour longer"