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

entirely in the shade, hidden from the
light by the large horse-chesnut trees,
and he had to grope in the dark for
this glittering thing. An instant's
search revealed it to be what he sus-
pected- q lady's bracelet. 1t was a
circlet of gold, studded with crys-
tails. The quick movement bad I'M
clasped it from her arm; and Robert,
the withered bunch Of violets in his
pockets as he rode away.
''Scepter and Crown, I'll fling them down.
sang Mr.. Edbury as he rode swiftly on
in the purple dusk of the trees. "Scep-
ter and crown, if [ had them I'd fling
them down for the one bare chance of
hearing that lovely voice once again"
He was alone; there was no one to
see him; and taking the violets out of
his pocket. he kissed them tenderly. 1t
was most absurdly silly Of him to do it;
but who of us does not do silly things
in the heyday Of our youths morning?
silly things that we blush for after
ward, perhaps, just as Robert Edbury
blushed when putting the vlolets again
quickly away.
.Scepter and crown, I'll fling them down,
If might"
But his song got no further than that;
it died away in thought.
Passing arm-in-arm down the crowd
ed dancing room Of the Spa the next
evening, with his friend Norton, Robert
Edbury's quick ear was caught by a
note which at once arrested his atten-
ton. He had said that he should
know that divine voice again. hear il
wherever or whenever he might, and he
was not mistaken. A certain remone
STRANGE lay in its tones; not to say dis
belief.
"Rut who could it have been, Robert,
if it was not you? 1t frightens me to
think of it. lit was somebody of
your height and figure. 1t must have
been yourself, Robert"
But [ tell you it was not, Jessie. |
should like to know who it was"
" He was gentleman, | am sure
with a stress upon the word. You
need not be put out, Robert"
Robert Edbury turned and saw close
beside him, a young girl surprisingly
beautiful. Roses mingled with the
bright gold of her hair, shone in the
bosom Of her dress, and bunch of
them was somehow intertwined with
the slender gold wrist-chain attached to
her fam
Mr.. Edbury caught his breath, as
turning her face, the girls soft violet
blue eyes rested for a moment unrecog-
nizingly on his.
"Who is she?' he whispered eagerly
to his friend. How lovely she is!
What is her name? By heaven! |
never believed in divine loneliness be-
fore; but here it is, pure and undetiled.
What her name?'
g 1t is Miss Chasshane," was the an
swer. "She and her mother live at the
Grove, hall a mile out Of town."
"A farm house," remarked Robert.
No, it is not. 1t looks not unlike
one. They are people of property.
Yes, she is very pretty. I'll introduce
you if you like"
Half an hour later Robert Edbury
was bending over the young lady's hand
in the pretty secluded gloom of a vine
wreathed window. They were as much
alone as 1t is possible for one to be in
the heart of a busy, unheeding crowd.
The first notes Of Strauss waltz were
beckoning the dancers, and gay couples
went laughing, hurrying by.
You are not engaged for this naltz?"
said Robert eagerly.
Some remembered cadence of his
voice struck the young girls memory,
and, forgetting to answer him, she
looked at him doubtfully, while rosy
blush swept over her forehead. She
half knew him and half did not.
CIVIL you let me look at your card?"
he pursued, as with perfect courtesy in
his voice and manner, he took the bit of
gilt and enameled pasteboard which she
had tucked away amid the roses at her
wrist.
"I-I half promised this dance to
Robert" she stammered, finginga quick
glance over her shoulder into the sway
ing crowd.
"Then shall claim it," answered the
other Robert with an audacious smile
He stopped and picked up a rosebud
that had fallen, and then held it trium-
phantly before the flushed and startled
face by his side.
"Seen he said, gayly; ~ saved it
from being crushed under foot Will
you not give it to me-"
But she reached out her hand impul-
sively. CT never give roses to
strangers" she replied, with cold,
frightened, angry air. They are Mr..
Robert Stonor's roses. Give it back to
me, If you please"
"My name is Robert, too," he said, in
the same gayly tender voice, though his
dark face changed a little at her frank
confession. my name is Robert, too,
Miss Chassdane. Therefore, may I not
claim the rose?'
The soft blue eyes, filled with tears,
flew up and met his. She knew him
then. Frightened and ashamed, and
trembling from head to foot, she rose
impulsively to her feet. He took a
step backward, and they stood so, fac
ing each other a moment in the gay. I'M
needing crowd.
8" l know you now" gasped Jessie.