Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-05-19
NAUD'S REVENGE.

"You see," he said, ''this may be
our last afternoon together.
Hearing this she looked up into his
face with her beautiful blue eyes.
'sWhat do you mean g. she said.
I'm going away" he answered,
"and you know how it is in the world.
People just meet as they do in stage
coach, like each other, part, and go by
different paths to different places. Pro-
badly we shall never meet again
She made no answer. Something
that did not seem to be her heart, it was
so cold and heavy, beat against her
breast and clicked her. This man had
been making love to her for three
months-an age in the life of girl of
sixteen. She had every reason to be-
lieve that he desired her for his wife.
He had taught her to love him and now
he was cody making his adieu; but
what could she do? Nothing but stife
every appearance of emotion, and bear
9he blow III silence as best she might.
In love woman has no rights that can be
asserted. We all know that well enough.
She may have her own purse, perhaps
some day her right to vote, but in those
matters that touch her most deeply, she
is by the law of custom-by the com
mand of her own pride also-the veriest
slave.
"And so,'' said he, ct thought we
might see our pretty river bank once
again.
And she got back her voice.
II hope it is not so damp as it was
Yesterday" she said. ''Thanks; I'll
not take your arm; I must lift my dress
and hold my parasol, you know"
ssShe don't mind it as much as
thought she would he said to himself.
eff 7 were only dead" she moaned
nwardly. ''If I were only dead"
And then they took their walk, and
chatted, and he escorted her to her cot
tage door, bowed to the old aunt at the
window, shook hands and fastened
away.
Paul Redlaw had gone out of Maud
Herman's life. Well for her it would
have been had he gone from her heart
also; but she had loved him sc much,
trusted him so well; the blow was more
than she could bear. Next day she was
very Ill, and for a long time she fingered
at deaths door. The blinds of the lit
tie house were closed. The old woman
went about on tip-toe, with tears Id her
eyes. The doctors carriage stopped at
the gate twice every day, and in all the
village it was breathed that she was
dying. But youth is very powerful.
The girl grew well again, and with he1
very recovery a great good fortune fell
upon her.
Some far-off relative, dying, made her
his heiress, and the poor young creature,
who had had much ado to find herself
in simple muslins and neat delaines,
was now able to wear royal velvet and
diamonds if she chose.
Her health was still delicate, and
travel was recommended Why should
she not travel if she chose ?-money
need not be thought of now. The old
aunt was sufficient protection, and the
two together crossed the Channel, lin
gering long on the Continent, and re-
turned after five years absence, to es-
tablish themselves in London, where a
circle of fashionable friends soon sprang
up about them.
Money makes mighty difference in
peoples lives. Probably Maud would
never have known she was beautiful if
she had remained poor but she knew
it now. The lips of fatterers told her
of her charms. Lovers were at her feet.
She could marry when she would, but
she had no heart to give any one. Love
died within her heart In that long illness
haunted by visions of Paul Redlaw. Her
facehad only changedfor the better; her
manner was more charming than it had
ever been, but within her soul she felt a
strange and terrible change. She who
had loved SO fondly and tenderly had
no tenderness left. All those soft feel
ings had persisted, and the man she had
loved she positively hated. Thinking
of him her soul was dashed into a fury,
and she longed passionateIy for revenge.
"Is it possible-Miss Herman ?"
It was crowded parlor; music filed
the air; a soprano of society was sing
ing. Miss Herman turned her head