Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-24
and by its genial light he read the fol-

Your letter received. Why did you not write soon
err? OF course the governor can find place tor
you. He's as jolly as skylark for--worse luck he
has married agatha woman fairer than lily and
more lovely then siren; but snake. walter,
poisonous snake! have little more to say, save
that Andy White our dear old chum, was found
dead on his couch about month ago at his home
in Clairville-which, apropos, was the nome OF my
step mamma. Accompanying TINS you VIII md a
Post office order for twenty-five dollars, ($25)
which trust will be sufficient to defray your ex
penses to our home. Ever your friend,
FRANK J. LYhE.
"Hurrah cried Walter, waving the
letter above his head; "Thank heaven,
Pm saved from q suicides fate. I'll
start tomorrow for Clinton-bless old
Frank The dark clouds have drifted
asunder, and the sapphire sky shows
clear beyond"
He was as good as his word. The
early train found him nestled amid the
cushions and speeding along like the
wind.
All day long the train dashed along;
now through the dark tunnel, now UNI
der the leafess trees, through whose
scar boughs the wind howled dismally;
until just as night was stealing over the
earth, they shot into the depot and
halted.
The guard flung open the door of
the cars, and swled aloud:
Clinton |" and then sped away.
Uttering sigh of relief, Walter arose
from his seat and emerged into the
open air.
Hardly had his feet touched the
platform, than his hand was seized in
a heavy grasp, and jolly voice cried
out: Hello, Walter, old boy Z"
"Why, Frank F"
Cali his bundles were dropped, and
his friends hand clenched in a hearty
grip.
"Home," said Frank, the carriage
is waiting to conduct you to the house
your home henceforth; you are
fathers secretary now"
A great lump rose in Walters throat,
and the briny tears gathered In his
eyes.
go, Frank" was all he could MUIR
muir as he was hurried into the car
riage, and driven rapidly away.
"And so poor Andy White is dead"
said Walter, when they were comfort
ably seated.
"Yes," returned Frank, and died
in such mysterious manner. His
, body was found, as / wrote to you, lying
upon the couch close to the open win
dow and on the breast hundred stems
of tuberoses."
az don't understand" said Walter,
bewildered. "Surely the tuberoses did
not kill him."
"Ah! but they did, though. DR..
Raymond was called In, and testified to
the fact. He stated that half the
number lying upon his breat was suffi-
Gent to produce suffocation when
placed in such close proximity to the
nostrils. 1t was never known where he
got the flowers from, and for what; but
it was quite evident he had fallen asleep
with them on his breast and they had
stolen his life. But here we are-home.
Jump out -
Leaving the vehicle, they proceeded
into the house, where Walter was duly
introduced to all the members of
the family, with the exception of
the bride, who was complaining of a
headache, and SO did not leave her
room.
Walter was up with the lark, and In
wandering through the conservatory he
corner a tuberose in full bloom.
Plucking one of the blossoms he pinned
it to the lapel of his coat and proceed
ed toward the breakfast room.
AS he entered the room, he beheld
woman-beautiful as an angel-bend
ing over Mr.. Lyle's stately form. 1t
seemed to Walter that he had never
before beheld such a vision of lowell
ness. Rising from his seat, Mr.. Lyle
introduced the lady as My wife, Mr..
Melmer."
She smiled exquisitely as she bowed
her acknowledgment to the introduce
ton, bus ere the smile had framed IT.
self upon those coral lips, it faded away
in horror.
Her face became pale as ashes and
her witching dark eyes glared vacantly.
With one bound she reached Walters
side, and wrenching the blossom from
his coat, she hurled it upon the oaken
floor and ground it beneath her SATIN
shod foot.
"For heavens sake, Mr.. Melmer,
never bring one of those blossoms into
my presence I loathe them, yet
know not why"
Walter felt embarrassed, but the re-
turning smile to her lips soon set him
at ease.
The meal passed away without fur
ther interruption, and Walter began his
duty.
Ali day long ne pondered over that
episode, and at night, seated in his
chamber, he could not drive it from
his mind. Seated by his couch, he
heard the clock toll the hour of mid
night, and as the last clang of its iron
tongue died away into silence, he was
startled by footsteps in the hall outside
his door.
The first thought flashing across his
excited brain was robbers. Walter wss
no coward. Blowing out his light, he
stepped softly to his door and swung it
open noiselessly.
Peering into the deep gloom, he be-
held sight that froze his blood with
horror.
Gliding like ghost along the desert
ed hallway-her snowy night-robe
auttering softly, while her glorious
III