Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-09-20
forgot them in the fragrant blossoms
and Keen sweet air

Nelly had filled her basket to the
brim with carefully chosen sprays, fas-
tened bunch of the deepest-hued at
her throat and another in the let buckle
that fastened her feather hat band. 1t
was no special vanity in her, for they
were all adorned with their spoils.
Even the gentlemen were decked with
button-hole bouquets. Nobody looked
like Nelly; and Mr.. Fearing thought SO
too, as she stood on the brow of the
hill, looking over the long valley that
ran northward, threatened by bright
stream, and closed at the end of the
vista by a great dark mountain. Be-
hind our little girl a deep green growth
Of young pines made q verdant shaded
background Her black hat hung on
her arm; her face was full of keen
pleasure, and simple, fresh beauty; the
red lips, warm color, open, innocent
eyes, dark-sweet as pansies are, and the
huttering rings of hair which the sun
threaded with gold, furnishing it's deep
brown as the wind breathed gently
among the shining tresses, played over a
low white forehead. The artists eye
took in the whole picture, and remem-
bered it, but the mans heart took in a
a more vivid and lasting guest; for there
he saw real woman-nOt doll of fash
ion, or queen of society, but a
bright, pure, tender creature, fresh and
sweet as the blossoms she wore, unaf-
fected sweet-tempered, delicate, yet
withal piquant in her manner and
speech from native wit and quick per-
ception.
1t may be inquired, naturally
enough, how Mr.. Fearing discovered
all this in the course of one morning
[ confess it seems improbable, but
lovers have wonderful insight into q
character sometimes. It does not al
ways verify itself on further acquaint-
ance, but this time the judgment was
true. "More by good luck than good
guidance" as the Scotch say; and il
Mr.. Fearing did lose his heart sudden.
ly and hopelessly, he, at least, never
regretted it thereafter. But the day
was over now. They went back to the
station, tired but merry, and far less
elegant In aspect than the party who
came down the road in tie morning
Their baskets emptied of provisions
and bottles, were overlooked now with
exquisite bloom and perfume: that
filled the crowd of dusty travellers
among whom they entered, with long
ing envy.
Nelly was tired, but she did not find
it out at once, for Mr.. Fearing carried
her basket home for her, and asked
leave to call on Monday, with Lima
Roldridge, and take Nelly to the Falls
ooh, mamma, what lovely time
have had" said she, as she entered the
parlor, where her mother waited for
her by the window.
"Calico dress and ALP" significantly
inquired Mrs. Day.
"That was quite the best part of it,
dear, was so glad wore it,"
And for the next hour Mrs. Day was
entertained with a history of the ex-
cursion-the mishaps of finery, the
beauty of everything, and just very
slight mention of Mr.. Fearing in every
other sentence, till her motherly eyes
began to look anxious, and her heart
to give a warning throb, for she re-
membered her youth. III
But if Nelly had not mentioned his
name, the widow Days eyes would have
perceived one side of the question, at
least, the next Sunday, from the fire.
quent and ardent gaze this young fell
low directed towards the singers seat,
where Nelly sang the quaint old hymns
In q clear, fresh voice, and looked as
angelic as pretty girl could in black
silk dress and white pique jacket, with
peoples and daises wreathed about her
little black hat. It is true Mr.. Fearing
went back to New York after that
walk to the Falls, which took place
Monday, but he reappeared in Beckett
more than once or twice the ensuing
summer, for Lima Holdridge, whe was
his fast friend, contrived to let him
know of every picnic, and he was avail.
able for almost all. Thcn there were
bits of scenery he must paint, and
autumn colors were proverbially splen-
cid about Beckett. But why need I re-
count his excuses ?"
g Breathes there a man with soul SO dead"
that he cannot supply these from his
own experience?
Nelly had no more new dresses. The
calico was washed and ironed many a
time before Autumn, and som etimes
worn when it was not fresh from these
processes; but by dint of various rib
bons and flowers and ties, and some
times sleeveless jacket of old black silk,
refreshed with recipes of power, and
trimmed "of ITSELF" or a buff pique
jacket black braided, Or even her Sun
day sacoue, for that was washable, her
costume seemed always delicate and
elegant to the eyes of men. We can
not say IS much of feminine gazers,
for who can throw any glamour over
the sight of a woman who knows calico
and despises it?
Nevertheless there was wedding
party left Beckett on the train next
spring, before the annual arbutus party
took their trip, and the widow Day, in
the role of mother-in-law, accompanied
the blushing bride and beaming bride
groom; and in the next years exhibi-
ton of the academy you might always
see a crowd before one picture-a full
length portrait of a young girl standing
on the grass (grass not yet greened with
spring, a crest Of dark pines rising be-
hind har aOaipot tba po1o CHI, 49,,