Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-12-04
THE TWO ROBERTS.


the branches of the trees. Now and
then an invisible night bird piped a sol
itary note to keep him company, and
soft waves of light streamed over the
hills as the queenly moon, well attended
by her guards, rode indolently down
the broad highway of heaven. The
blue dome, looking soft as velvet, was,
like the tabled path of love, strewn
thickly with the golden kisses of the
stars.
As he gained the last hill, whose sum-
nit gazed on the little watering place
which was for few weeks to be his
destination, he involuntarily drew rein
and sat silent moment, enjoying the
moonlight scene. On his left an old
fashioned brick house reared its twisted
chimneys aloft. So close was he to it
that its sharp gables seemed to cut the
air over his head, and only stri p of
green lawn, bordered by orse-chestnut
trees, separated him from the windows,
cleaning in the moonlight.
.'Scepter and crown, I'd fling them down,
Robert Edbury hushed his song when
he perceived, fer the first time, his very
close proximity to the house and the
windows.
"The substantial home of some sub
stantial farmer" he said to himself 81
had better move on, or his daughters
may think I am serenading tiena."
Too late. Just then a window was
opened softly overhead, and a lady's
face appeared at it. In the rush of
bright moonlight Robert caught sight of
the long ripple of gold cleaning hair,
and was sure that the face was lovely.
At any rate, the voice was.
Robert, dear, is it you %
For half a minute Robert Edbury
was mute with surprise, and made no
answer.
"Is it you, Robert? Why don't you
speak"
He spoke then, low, and with hesita-
ton.
How did you know it was II"
'Of course [ knew it was you"
There was a dash Of petulance in the
sweet voice now. "Who else but you
would be riding and singing in that ab-
surd way at this hour of the night, and
halting before the house? Have you a
cold. Robert? Your voice sounds
different from what it usually does"
"Perhaps it is the night air." an
swered Robert, wickedly, and getting
his wits partially together. Or [ may
have cracked it with singing" But
still be spoke In the most subdued of
tones. q did not expect the pleasure
OF speaking with you
The very idea of your coming up
on horseback at this night hour! You
know you ought not to be out. Why
did you do it? Where are you going?
Into Spafeld?"
"To be sure"
But what for"
t'To see a friend"
"Who is it?" came the quick re-
spouse. Not-not Nelly Cameron ?"-
with shade of jealousy in the tone
now. Are the Camerons receiving
this EVENING"?
mot that l know Of" returned
Robert Edbury promptly. I swear to
you | was not going to see Nelly Cam
eron. have not spoken with a single
young lady to-day, except yourself"
"Poor Robertr and a little laugh
rippled lightly on the air g But do 60
You know what your health is, and
that you have no business to be riding
at this time of night. You ought to
take better care of yourself. You will
be laid up tomorrow; your voice al
ready sounds strange and altered.
Goodnight
Gone moment" cried Robert Edbury,
earnestly, as he leaped from his horse,
fastened the bride to the gate, and
stepped inside beneath the window,
where cleaned that mysterious, en-
chanting face. "Won't you give me
fiower-you can easily reach that clus-
tering vine by your easement. Per-
haps-perhaps [ shall wish to ask you
some time to forgive me some great
offense. Won't you give me flower
for a token ?"
How strangely you talk? Of course
I would give you a flower; but these
are only honey-suckles, and you know
we promised to give each other nothing
but roses. But stayn'-the pretty voice
caught itself. q have a bunch of vio-
lets on my table. Would you like
5hem?"
"Anything-anything that comes
from your hands" whispered Robert,
more sincerely than he always spoke.
The bright face disappeared a mo-
ment from the window and then re-
turned-a white hand cleaned in the
moonlight.
"There, take them, and now you
must go! Quick! [ hear some one
stirring. Suppose it should be mamma!
Good night, dear Robert"
The window was softly closed, and in
an instant after Robert was cropping for
the violets III the wet grass. He found
them where they fell. But, as they
were falling, the quick eyes of Robert
Edbury had discerned something,
bright as a star, falling too. The small
strip OF grass where he had stood was