Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-26
the moral leper, as the rest of them

with such sweetness before know
you.'i { @G45@ $50 aEl ~ssf IS
And you believe"
"That all will be righted yet. | can
wait, dear-if you will let me. You
never were so precious to me as you are
at this moment"
Miss Westbrook-Come: Fanny, this
is no place for you
Harold and she had not heard the
footsteps. 1t was Blanchard and her
brother who approached unnoticed. !,
"And no place for you either" sad
White to Blanchard. 8Esg
"Faugh." replied the worthy, :" have
no words to waste on such as you, Sir.
[ am here to perform duty aHas-s''-,
Scoundrellp Harold began, at the
same time raising his hand. Sheatouch-
ed him, and .hewas still.
"Sir," said she, 81 am mistress of my
own actions. If / choose to accompany
my brother it is-because | choose!
Harold, goodbye! Come what may,
my faith will not falter, my love never
changes" II
The last four words were murmured.
AS she shaped them she reached for
ward and kissed him before her brother,
whose surprise at her defiant attitude
was unspeakable. II .
!, They parted and went their several
ways
The charge againt Harold White of
embezzlement, and the result of it, pro-
duced a wonder that lasted much longer
than the proverbial nine days. His de-
parture, the day after the hearing, no
one knew whittier, had had the effect
of increasing the number and sympathy
of his friends. 1t was generally adj
mitted that his defense had been weak
-lncomprehensively weak. But who
knew? he might have had his own in
vincible reason for not making it strong
err.
Why had the brother of his affianced
for she was his affianced in all but an
open, formal declaration of the fact)
broken with him so suddenly? Until
Blanchard appeared on the scene they
were inseparable. Depend upon it,
the West Indian was at the bottom of
it.. In this fashion the gossips of
Singlebridge discussed the events which
had led to Harold Whites downfall and
departure.
Three months had elapsed, and not a
word had been heard Of or from Harold
White; unless, the female gossips sug-
gested, he had written to Miss West
brook, which, considering the circum-
stances which preceded his departure,
he was hardly likely to have done. For
once. however, they were out in their
calculations, He had written her q
letter in which these words occurred
IF [ thought, darling, that you would
be happier to be rid of me for good and
all, our bond should be dissolved. 1t
is your love for and simple faith in me
that sweetens my life: and peeps me
steadfast in my determination to undo
the miserable wrong from which I
suffer. They shall right me yet.
g [ have borrowed for the present
another name-my mothers before her
marriage; but the people with whom l
am know that am Harold White, and
are acquainted with my history l
must try, dear, to rub on without the
consolation which your letters would
bestew. 1t is better that we should
seem to have parted forever. In the
good time we shall meet-and then !"
1t puzzled wellinformed Singlebridge
to hear Fanny Westbrook's cheerful
words, to note her placid brow and
bright manner. She never could have
thought much of that Harold White,
you know, or she would have mani
tested some regret at his misfortunes
Blanchard, too, was mystiied by her
What did it portend? Had she resigned
all hopes of becoming restored to the
lover whom he had so effectually helped
to disgrace and Danish? Was the
course clear at last? He would see.
His impetuous love for the sunny
haired, Saxon-eyed girl, love which
sprang into existence the moment they
met, had grown nightly since the
going Of White. He would put an end
to this uncertainty. He could face his
fate
can interview with me?" replied
Fanny to his blandly proffered request
certainly, Mr.. Blanchard" Her tone
was provokingly even. "And, if yoD
please, let it take place now. Pray be
seated"
If she had only been embarrassed.
"Miss Westbrook, I-I-fear that the
impression which | made upon you the
day Of that unfortunate rencontre by the
riverside was not favorable, L"
Ray proceed, SIR she remarked in
icy tones.
"Well, then-allow me-you cannot
surely have remained firm in the reso-
luton you then expressed-to cleave
to"
Mr. Blanchard, will assist you
You apparently wish to say that must
have ceased to love Harold White?" Is
that so?
Miss Observation-Disclosures
me; | do. He is all unworthy of you
0, if you did but know the depth OF
my love for you
Stop, Mr.. Blanchard" said she ris-
ing from her chair, and moving slowly
towards the door, Let us understand
each other. Whether or not Harold
White holds the place in my heart
which he once did concerns me and
me only. The honor you have done
me, Mr.. Blanchard call it by what
tender name you please despise Mr..
Blanchard, / know you %