Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-05-30


"You Overwhelm me with kindness,
Miss Trevanion. And here is my best
friend, whom | have brought all the way
thereby securing for myself most dan
gerous rival. | am not selfish man,
you perceive, Miss Trevanion? Shall I
present him|'
The heiress bowed cordially, at the
same time flashing a rapid glance over
the newcomer
He was very prince among men, and
as her eye swept his noble, frmly-knit
figure and handsome face, faint flush
deepened the rose-hue on her cheeks, and
something like real interest frightened
the depths Of her magnificent ewes.
Miss Trevanion, my friend, Mr.. Ran
dolph Belmore."
The gentleman bowed deeply over the
exquisite hand that lay for moment in
his own.
| am very happy to meet you, Mr.
Belmore, L hope you will find the even
ing pleasant. Do, Captain Walton,
make your friend acquainted with some
of these charming ladies' See they are
streaming in by dozens; you cannot fail
to be pleased, Mr.. Belmore, no matter
how fastidiOus your taste may be-"
Begging your pardon, Miss Trevan-
ion, Mr.. Belmore, like myself, is sworn
to the worship Of but one idol"
The lady laughed merrily, shaking her
jewelled fan at the audacious gallant.
"Your admiration is trihe too noisy
to be sincere, Captain Walton" she said !;
"however, we will accept it as the genu-
inc article. But remember the condi-
tions, gentlemen-unto the man who will
restore to me my Ediamoud crescent"
will [ give my hand and heart, and all
my earthly possessions; otherwise, shall
go down to my grave in single blessed
ness. But my duties as hostess summon
me away. Au revoirp'
Waving her hand, she passed on, leav-
ing the two young men gazing after her
in rapt and breathless admiration.
"What a splendid creatureW murmur-
ed Walton; she reminds me Of a
beautiful desert steed, with her flashing
eyes and naughty fearlessness! But,
after all, q less perfect woman would
make a more comfortable wife; don't you
think 50, Belmore
But his friend made no answer; he
II
crimson mantling his swarthy cheek, and
an exultant light in his eyes that was al
most dazzling. But Walton failed to
notice this unusual excitement for Just
at this moment a light touch on his
sleeve called his attention in another di-
rection. He turned to look down upon
the freshest of faces framed in blonde
curls, and to hear his name called in the
sweetest Of tones Imaginable.
"Why, Miss Katien' he cried, with a
start of genuine pleasure. II thought
you were in London What an unex-
pected pleasure to meet you heren'
Il was in town." replied Katie,
smiling and blushing; "but I coaxed
papa to bringme down in time for Julia's
party. [ could not bear to miss it, she
always gets up such exquisite affairs
Isn't she looking superb after her pro-
longed tour?'
"Not whit better than another lady
of my acquaintance" said Captain Wal
ton, smiling down upon her with the
familiarity of an old friend, though she
is very magnificent. I have Just been
more, and | believe her charms have
dazed him. Look at him; he hasn't
winked his eyes for fifteen minutes.
Belmore, come, wake up, man, and let
me present you to my friend, Miss Katie
Somers, whom you have heard NE speak
OF so aiten."
Mr.. Belmore turned, and smiled down
with the kindness and gallantry of a
gentleman, upon the little figure beside
him; and then his eyes wandered to a
distant part of the room, where the heir
ess stood surrounded by her friends
"What could she have signifed," he
said, half addressing his friend, and half
communing wish himself, "about the
diamond crescent? She must have lost
it?'
"Tm sorry [ can't enlighten YOU" re-
piled Captain Walton. II know she
used to have such a gem. Do you know
any thing about it, Miss Katic%'
Katie laughed, and blushed to her very
finger-tips
Il should think did," she answered;
"she lost it when we were down in the
South of England, and ] lost my beauti-
full topaz, but [ won't tell you how, you
are such tease, Captain Walton. But
Julia has almost broken her heart about
that queer old crescent; and she declares
she will marry any man who will restore
it to her"
"Do you hear that, Belmore? Do
you think, my fine fellow, you will be
able to comply with her conditions?'
81 think [ shall,'' he replied his firm,
bearded lips quivering like woman's.
"But do you think she would really
keep her promise, Miss Somers, indie
pendent Of any preference her heart
might feel?'
q think she would never break her
word; but there is not the least hope that
the crescent will ever be found, and
Julia's conditions, as she terms it, are
merely a subterfuge to conceal her de-
termination never to marry. [ don't
know that | ought to be speaking Of my
friends affairs, but her suitors are num-
berless, and not one finds favor in her
sight. When the Albatross was burned
three years ago, her cousin was lost, and
she will never love any other man"
Mr.. Belmore turned sharply, without
q word, and walked away.
CHOW, see what you've DONE" laughed
Walton; 5" the man will go out and nang