Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-10-25

when her daughter showed what the
girls of our day are capable of, by well
coming the two gentlemen very Sc
renely, and introducing them in a very
matter-of-fact way to her mother.
The explanation of it was that these
young persons had met in the merry
summer time in an out of the way
country nook, where Sarepta was So
journing with city cousin, friend of
the Messrs. Edgerton and Merton.
Mrs. Green accepted the situation
gracefully, and was pleasantly cour-
teous as became SO polite lady. But
when the call had ended, and mother
and5daughter were left again to each
others companionship, Sarepta listened
to some animated remarks.
GA nice trick you played me I" caid
Mrs. Green. Let me go out asking
questions about those two men, and
you knew all about them all the while!
Why didn't you tell me?"
Why, mamma, | didn't know that
you wanted to learn anything about
them. The first I knew you had found
out all had to tell, and more too; SO
what was the use?"
"Well, you might have told me be-
fore. And how was it you didn't recog-
nize them when we met on the street,"
"I did; I bowed and they lifted their
hats the first time we met them. You
did not see them at all that time, for
you were busy looking at Mrs. Bunce
and her new cloak"
The first time! Did we meet them
three times instead of twice, then ?"
81 did not count the times, but [
think it must have been three"
"Humph? Well, I've nothing to do
now but to see that no trouble comes
of all your smartness. To begin with,
I noticed that Mr.. Merton was rather
more attentive to you this evening than
there was any necessity for. l Want
you to remember that he is not the one
who will do"
There was no reply to this injunc-
ton. Perhaps it was not heard, and
subsequent facts rendered this all the
more probable.
The two young men prolonged their
stay in the village, and made frequent
calls together at Mrs. Green's house.
Mr.. Edgerton was all that could be de-
sired in the way of friendly courtesy,
but George Merton was that, and more
to. 1t became more and more appar-
ent that he aimed to become the one
who would do.
He came often with his friend, but
more often by himself, and one day he
called not on Sarepta, but upon Mrs.
Green herself. The nature Of his err
rand may be gathered from remark
of that lady's during the conversation
81 am very sorry matters have gone
so far" she said, and tried in every
way to prevent it. All / can do now is
to say that I will never give my con-
sent to your marriage with my daugh-
ter. I esteem you very greatly, but 1
long since made up my mind that my
son-ln-law must have fortune and po-
sition."
"But my dear madam"
~ have had my say, Mr.. Merton,
and nothing will ever make me say diff
ferently. don't mind sayings to you
that the same question from your
friend would have received a very diff
ferent answer"
George Merton went away then, and
Sarepta received little lecture from
her mother. The girl was little pale,
but very quiet, and her mother thought
she was going to be very sensible. She
felt little discouraged, however,
when Sarepta said, quite in her natural
voice:
81 know he is poor, and without po-
sition, as you call it, but will never
marry any other, man as long as I
live !" and that ended the conversation.
After this matters went on much the
same as usual, except that George Mer-
ton came no more to Mrs. Green's
house. Sarepta was little quieter than
of old, but altogether acted in practi-
Cal manner that gave her mother very
great encouragement.
One afternoon the young lady dress
ed to 60 out for walk, and stood for q
time with one foot on the fender bar,
listening to her mothers talk which
ran pretty much in this strain towards
the close:
"I haven't seen Mr.. Edgerton for
two or three days, have you? And
his friend seems to have disappeared
altogether. must say it was very
proper of him not to come here after [
gave him so decided an answer. Why,
bless my soul! Here he is now!"
And there, sure enough, he was STEP
ping leisurely in through the open door
of the room. He had evidently screwed
bis courage up, and was keeping it up
by little bit of bravado not quite nat
ural to him. His hat was pulled tight
upon his head, his step had the least
suggestion of a swagger in it, and he
carried his hands in the pockets of the
short, odd-looking jacket which he
wore for the apparent purpose of max
ing him look unnecessarily independ-
ent.
His manner put Mrs. Green on the
offensive, as if it were challenge.
Her face took on its hard, set look, her
hands folded themselves together I'M
der her apron, and she stood looking
at him very frigidly, and failed to no.
tice that her daughter was not SO much
surprised as she ought to haye been.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Merton" said
Mrs. Green, very much as if he had