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


Branch
She watched him down the street, q
slow smile gathering on her lips; then
turning somewhat abruptly from the
window, she consulted the merrily tick
ing clock on the mantel stood a
moment in thoughtful deHberation, and
then FASTENED up stairs.
A group of gentlemen were standing
leisurely about, chatting and smoking
on the piazza of the Ocean House,
Watching the steady stream of passing
carriages, promenaders and wellflled
hotel stages.
"There, that is the lady | spoke to
you of, Michaelson, yonder, in navy
blue, with the dark veil over her face.
| never saw such a perfect picture IN my
life, and such walk"
Mr.. Merle, indicated quite eagerly the
direction in which he wished his COM
panion to look.
'She? Oh! I think [ heard she was a
widow, Mrs. Ryve. 1t seems to me |
have seen her several times with Miss
Cunningham, SO if you are fascinated,
Merle, there is your chance. Laura
Cunningham will introduce you, won't
she?"
Harry stroked his moustache reflect
lively.
"Well, she may. If she happens to
be in one of her Jealous moods, though
Michaelson laughed
"Upon my word, Merle you are too
bad! you an cid married man, wife
and babies snug and happy at home,
and going it so deep with every pretty
face you fancy"
Harry knocked the slender column OF
ashes off his cigar with scientific precis-
ion.
Not so bad, old fellow. Just remem-
Der 1t all amounts to nothing, and just
forget there is wife and babies in the
background"
Il am agreed-only would not do it.
By-the-by, yonder comes Miss Cunning
ham. Yes, she bowed to and exchanged
word with Mrs. Ryve. She is grace
full, Merle"
Harry answered enthusiastically:
Isn't she? [ tell you she interests
me amazingly. She was the first lady
[ met coming up from the train the
day [ arrived, and | felt strangely at
tracted then. Laura shall introduce
me, Or"
Such an idea, Mrs Rye. Why, no
one wears such horribly thick wells as
you do. | am sure there are very few
faces among us that would better bear
unwilling such lovely complexionl"
. Mrs. Ryve smiled at Gussie Cunning
hams candid compliment.
Besides" Gussie continued, q have
heard how piqued number of gentle
men are because of that VEIL Mr. Harry
Merle, particularly. You know Mr.
Merle, don't you? Laura's admirer, be
trothed for all | know to the contrary"
A sudden white pallor crept across
Mrs. Ryve's face: but she averted he1
head SO suddenly that Gussie did not
see it.
" He is a real handsome, stylish fel
low, we think There, Mrs. Ryve, have
[ succeeded in pinning that spray Of
clematis properly? Thank you! Yes
we like him amazingly. Laura seems
perfectly enraptured with him."
Mrs. Rye toyed with her gilt-handled
fam
And Mr-Mr. Merle, you said his
name was, was piqued because [ wore a
veil?"
Gussie laughed
So Laura said He wants an intro
duction to you. will give it if you say
So"
4 little flush of Mrs. Ryve's eyes, then
her answer:
Thank you'll No, Miss Cunningham
| only came for quiet and habit Of OBJ
servation natural to me- | do not at al
care for society,"
"All rightr' Gussie returned good
naturally. Although why YOU ever
came to the Branch for quiet. [ canno
tell"
Mr.. Merle stood before his little look
ing-glass, carefully arranging his hair
and giving sundry finishing touches tt
his immaculate lawn tie-a handsome
gay-looking fellow, wearing his thirty
five years very lightly, with few worse
faults than considerable vanity, and al
Unsuitable thirst for flirting with every
new, pretty face. Not that he did moi
love Florence dearly, and truly he did
only it was SO good to do little flirting
occasionally.
This time Mrs. Rye was the chief at
traction, before whose mysterious grace
even Laura Cunningham paled. Several
attempts at an introduction had failed
each failure but adding renewed zest tc
the chase, until, in positive despair, Har
ry had sent her the most elegant basket
of flowers, containing tiny note that
told his keen admiration, and begging 8
reply:
And there had come dainty little back
handed notelet accepting the delicate Of
fering, and assuring Mr.. Merle of Mrs
Ryve's gratefulness and appreciation.
Then Harry had written again, and il
a weeks time half dozen bouquets hac
found their way to the Sevres vase il
Mrs. Ryve's room, and as many ardent
letters to their place in her portfolio
But never an interview With all his
pleading to look liz the face he knew
was so sweet and kind"-with ali his
graceful coaxing "to be permitted to
touch the hand that sent such welcome
letters he had not been able to obtain