Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-06-11
you could do for me. Shall / tell

eyes, you may tell me-"
His eyes held hers, intense with
meaning; his lips trembled with the
burden of his heart; all his desire was
leaping up, and shaping itself into ten
der words. What was it that stayed
them, caused them to falter into COM
monplaces? What power locked the
eager lips upon the halfuttered secret?
Why did the intense eye lose their
sweet significance, the hand relax its
gentle grasp?
"You may stretch this pair of gloves
for me, then, if you please" he said,
recovering himself.
"Isn't it little droll," said she. hid
ing whatever chagrin she experien cei
behind her smile" isn'ti it little droll
that stretching the stocking should be
such sin, while stretc hing the glove is
perfectly harmless ?"
"Confound my folly" he thought,
walking away. "Why didn't I say it?
She looked almost as if she expected
something. / gave her the right to.
But did she care to listen? To be sure,
the place was unfortunate; but people
have made and heard proposals in ball
rooms, IN crowds. before this-at street
corners and at book-stalls. There was
Captain Wildes; he proposed to Mary
on board the cars, and, not understand
ing him, she cried: tWhat?' So he
had to scream it all over again, and the
train stopped at station before he fin
ished. He must have been plucky
fellow They say that women do half
the counting, but bless me if I've had
any hell in this affair. And at this
rate it's like snalls journey; take
one step forward and slip back two. The
deuce l wonder how they get on 1t
must be trersome standing behind a
counter all day. with the Guilford pride
on her shoulders, and the home troubles
tugging at her heart. If had only
asked her before the breaking of this
bubble! But now it would seem like
taking advantage of her circumstances;
and if could not endure that she
should consent to marry me from pity,
how much less from prudence? Yet,
if she cares for me-. But how am |
to know? She is not likely to tell me
without being asked, and why should l
ask her unless [ am certain?"
And thus, while he let the occasion
slip by, while he dawdled and perplexed
himself, the firm in which he was Junior
partner required his presence in Europe
to establish a branch house. He went
to bid EEnor good-bye-perhaps to say
something more earnest. He would
not tell; he could not count upon him
self nor his moods. He found her in
dark, narrow street of the city, where
the sunshine was only morning visi-
tor Of the most ceremonious kind; in
rooms whose shabbiness smote him to
the heart. She sat before flicker
ing flame, and embroidered in linen.
He understood that by this means she
was eking out her insufficient wages.
But otherwise she was the same being
whom he had known in luxurv. The
blush had not deserted her fair cheek,
the dimple still hid there; the eyes were
as radiant with light and spirit, the ex-
preston as enchanting, the voice as
liquid and full Of soft, lingering tones
and bewitching accents, as in the bright
est days of her prosperity. They talk
ed about kis journey, the sights he was
to see, the sounds he was to hear; and
she sighed and said, "Oh, I wonder if I
shall ever 60 to Europep' with that wild
hope which most of us long to realize.
They We're sitting together upon a tete-o-
tete, relic of past magniticence. He
had been looking at her embroidery,
and when he gave 1t back their hands
touched and fingered almost lovingly.
The words were on his lips, ''Will you
go to Europe with me, Elino1?"
"Will you," he faltered; "will you
You will-forget me, suppose, as soon
as [ am gone. Out OF sight, out of
mind!"
eff you wish me to forget you, will"
she laughed.
"And if I do not wish it?"
"Ah, cannot promise; you are to be
absent whole year."
If she could not promise to remem-
Der him year, was it likely that she
would promise to love him lifetime?
So he went to Europe, and tried to
forget himself in the details of bust
ness; to satisfy himself with the public
galleries and gardens, with art and
nature in holiday attire. He visited
the Mer de Glace, and dwelt in the
shadow Of the Matterhorn, and heard
the mountain echoes vibrating upon
the inspired air. But to whom could
he confide all his fine thoughts? Who
could respond to his moods with such
perfect sympathy as Elinor Half the
charm Of travel was lost without her.
At the Lake of Como he fell in with an
elderly gentleman, solitary like himself.
"Ah," said he, this travelling alone
is almost like staying at home"
And why, sir, did you not bring
your wife ?" ventured John.
Because I was fool once. I have
no wife. twenty-five years ago I was
in love, but was, at the same time, too
great Ounce too tell her so. Young
man, if you ever chance fall in love,
lose no time in letting her know it.
Don't defer speaking"
| And if she"
No matter what she answers. You