Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-09-19

! Harry heard the mOnOtOnOuS tuning OF
the Band
She could not have chosen a more
suspicious time. There are hops at the
United States, HowIand's. and here at
the Ocean. Everybody is sure to be at
one or the other, and | will have de-
llghtful walk with her on the sands;
then there will come q few days of rides
and walks and dances, and enjoyment
generally, and then-the end of it all;
and home to Flo and the babies, and the
office"
A sigh-his better natures tribute to
the wife he loved, and yet was acting so
unworthy toward-and then he went
to the brilliant scenes around the ball
room, and the piazza, and the clerks
office, to await the wished for hour of
| ten.
At twenty minutes of it his patience
was exhausted, and he started forth
down Ocean avenue, now quite desert
ed, save by parties Fastening in full
dress to the great lighted ball room.
Down past the Pavilion, the Central
Jaush's he hurried, yet knowing perfect
ly we'll he would be too soon; then the
big, gloomy walls Of the West End loom
ed up, and the rows of far between sum-
mer houses on the cliff, ended in the one
Mrs. Rye had designated, just this side
of the curve in the avenue
No one was in this near vicinage, al
| though Harry saw several ladies prone
nading the croquet lawn. Then ten fif-
teen minutes he waited in impatient
eagerness, then his faith was rewarded
by seeing her come down the faggings
from the West End, and cross the ave
nue. opposite the summer house-tall,
slender, sylph-like in her trailing white
dress and misty tulle veil wound so
gracefully, so artistically over her head
and face, and around her alabaster
throat
She paused slightly on the threshold.
Harry sprang TO meet her
Mrs. Ryve?"
She bowed a little neryously, and en-
tered.
+" But can ever sufficiently thank you
for acceding to my request? If YOU knew
how impatient / had been--how / have
longed for this hour-you would know
how happy you have made me!7
She did not make any reply and Harry
saw how agitated she seemed.
In his heart he admired her the more
for it.
q 1 am SO anxious to hear your voice
to see your face, that | know YOU must
be matchlessly fair, to look in your
eyes. Mrs. Rye, will you allow me the
great happiness?
He touched her gossamer veil as if to
unwind it, She niurmured a faint as
sent, and, elated with all the exquisite
/ novelty and romance of the situation,
Harry tenderly removed the mask.
" NoW-face to face, most charming!
good heavens!"
He dropped the tulle scarf as if an
asp had been lurking among the filmv
| folds
A low, sweet laugh, that was suspi-
tears
ct is really l, Harry l did so want
to know the terrible business that kept
you so much from home. Harry, [
think I Will join the firm"
Florence looked steadily at him, saucy,
reproachful, half contemptuous.
Harry stood like petrifed stone for
a minute, then remarkably sheepish
expression crossed his countenanee.
So you are Mrs. Rye, are you?"
He tried to be magnificent, but failed
perfectly; and then the tears came leap
ing from Florences eyes in silver cas-
cades.
"Oh, Harry. to think that you never
cared for me any more than-than to
There was his opportunity to get out
Of this scrape; and he fitted himself
most admirably therein
"There, dear-don't cry. Of course
it was al q joke, that Mrs. Rye bust
ness. As if | did not know you, the
moment | saw you, the day [ came!
Did you really think I was in earnest,
you little rogue? Am not even with
you for coming to see what was about
Don't cry, Florence? You know [ do
love you dearly. We will go home to-
morrow; and be ever SO nice and coy
won't We?'
And she believed him. The sweet,
trusting, heart-sore little woman actual
ly let him comfort her. and took all the
blame Of the whole affair
But, mind you, while Mr.. Harry Merle
congratulates himself on his cute get
ting-out-ofit, he has vowed any number
of VOWS never to do SO again.