Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-07-09

Giving her an extra friendly hand
pressure, to make up for his rough
words, he left the place clear for final
explanation, and hurried off for brisk
walk. He felt the necessity for quick
motion and fresh air, for he was agitat-
ed.
He could not help being keenly in
terested in this affair. He liked the
young man much, and Elise was of
course quite pet of his own. Poor
girl, her lips had quivered as he spoke
so bluntly; but now pretty she was
looking-such a graceful, winning style
of beauty, lighting up the gloomy,
formal old room with her pretty gentle
ways and womanly occupations! Yes,
he should miss her terribly, no doubt.
Rome was d long way Off, and he al
most wished that carte-de-visite had
never caught NJ. A. de Vallani's eye.
After all, why should not Elise remain
as she is? Then he checked these
thoughts, and began to wonder how it
would be settled. He turned back, feel
ing anxious and nervous, and by this
time the interview must be ended.
1t was SO, and NJ. de Belandi entered
his own villa in time to see his guest
just q few steps in advance, and from
his attitude he read that all was over.
The tale was told in few words, and
the next day M. A. de Vilani set off on
his journey home, trying his best to for
get that carte-de-visite.
There followed much commotion
among the friends of the Bornos; nor
did it end there, for it became the gen.
eral topic Of conversation. M. de Be-
landl felt dull, having lost his guest,
and then there was the reaction and a
f1atness consequent on the unusual
excitement. Besides this, Elise was
never now seen in her old haunts: when
he went to the house she was not in the
drawing-room. He feared she YVES
annoyed with him, and purposely
avoided him whenever she could do so.
| When meeting was inevitable there
was a greater reserve and an uncer-
tain manner, SO different from the old
gentle pleasantness, that it made him
unhappy.
81 don't know what ails her." COM
planned the old father one day to NJ de
fBelandi. "She pleased herself, or might
have done SO. But she is no longer the
same girl. | was saying to her mother
1 wished you might call; for if any one
can rouse her or find out what is the
matter, it is yourself"
! To please the poor old gentleman,
NJ. de Belandi went at once to find
Elise in a small boudoir where she
sometimes sat. He had often been
privileged to enter this room; and now,
as his knock met with no notice, he
pushed upon the door without scruple.
Elise had been crying; but as she
turned and saw him blush covered
her face, and she nervously tried to
hide what looked like photograph,
which she had evidently been looking
! at.
"What, another photograph" he ex.
claimed ,.trying to carry off the little
awkwardness he felt by Joke. "Why
Elise, is 1t possible that there was a
reasons for your failing to see the
charms Of VILLAIN? Have you, too
been caught by carte-de-visite %
To his surprise, instead of meeting
his joke with smile or saucy retort
she bent her head, striving to hide her
tears, and the hand which held the pic
ture actually trembled.
MY dear, Elise, what is it? Your
father is quite unhappy about you
You are not an undecided person; but is
it possible that you regret saying No?
A lady is allowed to change her mind.
Still her agitation seemed to increase
and she could not keep down her sobs
Presently she snatched her hand to her
head, stammering some unconnected
words about not being we'll. She forgot
for the moment the photograph, which
was by this movement exposed to view
NJ. de Belandi's astonishmeIt was
great indeed to see by-a-no-means fat
tering full-length photograph of-him.
self! ...-a
He stood transfxed for a few mo-
ments, while veil seemed to be sud
denly raised from his mind, disclosing
old things which had hitherto been but
dimly guessed at, and then suddenly
hidden again, and while he was so gag
ing and SO thinking, she looked up and
discovered what she had done.
BY way Of correcting the mistake she
made another; catching up the photo
graph with a little exclamation of alarm
and then, with a sudden perception Of
what she had done, choking her sobs
she tried to explain chat she had been
turning out her desk, and so-and
So"
But his eyes were now bent so earn.
estly on her face that she was in a m..n
ner compelled to meet his look.
elise, is it possible ~ he whispered
Then presently he held out his arms
In a moment she was in them, claspec
close, her tears falling softly. But 8
sudden change came over her face, anc
she struggled to release herself, say
ing
leave me Instantly You have
taken advantage of like you as e
friend, of course, but-you misunder
stand"
"And I love you not as friend
Elise. have done so. But woule
not allow it to myself even. I was toe
old for you; you only thought of me as
a grave relation and mentor. [ know
now what it all means; my dread O
| losing you"