Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-26

~
most inimitable widower who ever wore
Grape on fashionable hat
He was not gloomy and lugubriously
uncongenial-certainly not. The world
thinks no better of us for bearing out
our solemn sorrows, and displaying
them with the purple amarinths pinned
on our velvet lappels.
But Aigernon Heath accepted his
wealth and his freedom in an easy way
that seemed selfish, if not enjoyable.
1t was another October day, when the
luscious rosy apples were dropping ripe
from the branches, and the scarlet
leaves were drifting, breeze-bore.
through the yellow haze, that he met
Susy Wright.
He was out on q lonely hunt for the
sly foxes and wild rabbits which had
despoiled his henery and gardens.
A timid thing, with a coat of snowy
fur and scared pink eyes, scampered
across his path.
He levelled his gun with a random
aim, and fired.
He fancied he heard small, human
cry of pain, as he sprang over the green
arbor-vita hedge for his quarry
What he saw was like picture from
the fresh canvas of our best living artists
1t was a background of low hill,
yelled il mist; at its base fringe of
sweetbrier and wild rose shrubs, from
which the bloom of snow and pink had
fallen and faded months ago, leaving
only the scarlet seed-shells that hung
thick in the shadow of dim, dark frs.
Against this back-gl ound, radiant
and distinct, stood a tall and supple
form, robed in a gown as brown as the
brown autumn leaves that chung wreath
like In her curis Of dead-gold hair.
Her features could never have served
for the model Of the modern sculptor
there was something too humanity, Vi
wildly expressive in their irregular I'M
classic contour. And in her bosom she
held a painting, snow-white, pink-eyed
| rabbit. The little creature was unhurt;
but a few drops of ruddy blood drip
ping from her torn and smoking sleeve
told the sportsman where his careless
shot had struck
"How could you fire at such harm
less thing?" she asked, angrily.
pardon me-" returned Algernon
Heath, with anxiety. Il certainly would
not have done so had | thought | might
have made you target"
Oh y said the girl, conscious for the
first time of sting Of pain, and, glanc-
ing at her arm, through which the ran
dom shot had ploughed a ragged fur
row; and then she turned and sped
away, quite as shy as the scared rabbit
she still held.
a II NV,
contented until he had ascertained the
name and circumstances Of the lovely
creature who had spoiled his cruel sport
These things were ascertained speedily;
Susy Wright was only the poor depend
ent of a small farmer in the neigh
borhood.
But these facts did not prevent him
from making an apologize call the next
morning, followed by many others. And
these calls were repeated until Susy
Wright knew that she loved the rich
man., and that the rich man loved
her.
And yet Algernon Heath said nothing
to bind in a betrothal the secret oftheir
hearts; Susy only knew his affection
from the deep, unwavering tenderness
of his brown, large eyes, the clinging
touch OF his warm, caressing fingers,
and the passionate, lnsldious tones that
uttered those vague. poetic sayings,
such as never can be repeated in SEN
timent, for trusting Woman's defense.
| He loved her and his heart knew it;
but to marry her, and give up the ease
and luxury that had become part
Of his life, was quite another ques-
ton.
Of course Susy knew nothing Of that
fatal WILL nor the equally fatal condi-
tons that held him to his pleasant life
of Incidence and liberty.
His manner towards me is always
full Of unspoken passion, He will ask
me to be his wife soon. And what will
say? He is SO rich and manly, and
[ am SO poor,' she thought one evening,
as she came down from her room
| through the sombre hall attired in
cheap dress Of the hax-straw yellow
color Of her flowing hair, and family
strewn with buds like the fax-foWer
blue of her eyes.
She drew her feecy white wool shawl
about her graceful shoulders, as strong,
perfumed wind sWeptup from the open
|
Noiselessly, on her velvet shod feet
she advanced to close it, when she heard
the voice of Algernon Heath answering
something said by her cousin.
"You are quite right. Susy should
have known this long ago. [ love her
as [ thought | could never love a hui
man being. [ have no trade nor pro
fession. have lived a life of ease, and
could not support her. 1t is the fault
of false training: [ suppose. Since. [
/ knew her have turned my Thoughts
towards the business by which my
uncle made his money, and Of which /
know something, but as yeti have failed
in my most promising efforts. [ fear
that am too old to succeed in anything
except idleness," and he laughed hard
weary, cynical laugh. For myself 1
might face poverty, but | could not
see the woman [ love want for the COM
| Of r