Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-28
and ask no questions, once she's a

and ask no questions, once she's a
Grafton"
claw! it's the way of the world: a
pretty face makes man forget tres
passes and get rid of his judgment. Its
no use quarrelling with such things at
our age. Greta'll make fine lady, and
l mean to pay my respects at Grafton
Place directly; I'm just crazy to see
the new fxings. I'd just like to see
how I'd look in the blue satin parlor."
And all this time Greta had not even
consented. 1t is true, wealth and COM
fort were alluring. She had told herself
| that Providence would provide, and now
could she know but this was the very
provision made for her? 1t would be
delightful. no doubt, to onioy such an
establishment as Grafton Place. She
remembered what visions of romance
had accompanied when she rambled
| through the quaint, old-fashioned man
siol, which might easily boast haunt
ed chamber: through the halls with the
"dim religious light falling from paint
ed windows; gazed at the portraits of the
dusty Graftons; pushed aside the bro
cade hangings; drank from the china
that had outlived generations. She re-
called the great mirrors that had lined
the walls. the silver epergne upon the
sideboard heaped with fruit, the flash
ing ivory of the piano, and the odor of
the dollhouse flowers. And it might all
be hers at word. Only let her say
eyes," and she might wear her velvets
and laces with any lady in the land,
drive in her satin-lined carriage, and
have servants under her, and all that
heart could desire. All? Yes, all but
self approval, love, and Stephen Soth-
erne. Still, let her answer "No," and
Stephen and love would still! be lacking.
and hardship, want, and public disap-
proval be superadded.
The miserable little tnief" thought
the exasperated Mrs. Stoughton. "She
has played her cards to perfection, COZ
ening that old fellow into marrying her.
No doubt he'll rue the day, and serve
him right"
In the meantime, as Greta had not
given him a refusal, Mr.. Grafton chose
to consider himself accepted. He con-
suited her about the wedding journey,
as If the marriage was a matter Of
course. She acquiesced in his sugges-
tons, but she had no choice to make );
she was drifting with the stream, not
rowing hard against it: she was making
believe that she could love him by-and-
by; his attention, his consideration for
one so forlorn, his generosity, touch ed
her, that was all.
One day Mrs. Stoughton's husband
returned home. 1t would seem as if
no event could have less effect upon
Greta's fortunes. She watched him
walking by, and wondered if Mrs.
Stoughton Was glad to see him.
"Any news in Hampton" he asked at
his dinner table.
"News enough. Mr.. Grafton is going
to be married." returned his wife.
'That reminds me l must see Graf
ton directly. Married, eh? Well, he's
old enough. Who's the bride elect?"
'That little hussy, Greta Loring."
'softly, softly, my dear; it sounds en-
vious."
~ envious of that little thiefp'
"Thief? What has Greta stolen-old
Grafton's heart? Nobody knew he had
one before. Perhaps she has only de-
veloped latent organ in him."
ooh, Herbert, I am so sorrow to tell
you'll never could make up my mind
to write it; but she was at work here
Greta Loring-by-the-way, / haven't
paid her yet-and- my diamond
ring was in the same room, and-it's
there yet, only the diamonds gone.
Nobody else had been in the house.
What could I think? Of course she
stole it, though she brazens it out as she
does"
"Mr. Stoughton turned ash-color, laid
down his fork, and stared at his wife.
"And you accused her of stealing the
diamond?"
~ wrote to her very kindly and con-
siderately. She replied in high and
mighty tone, which was simply insult
ing. L put the case into Mr.. Grafton's
hands,"
"Into Gratton's hands! Well, and what
did he say about it?"
"Say! Why, he's going to marry
herr"
'Looks as if you'd win your case, y
laughed Mr.. Stoughton, uneasily. "And
so Greta is going to marry the old fox.
A pretty kettle of fish! My dear, I
really wish you had notified me ofyour
| loss"
He took up his hat and went out
grimly. He had very disagreeable
duty to perform, and he wanted it over
with; it had spoiled his dinner, and that
was enough. He knocked at Greta's
door,
"The diamond again." she thought
"After ALL" he cogitated, "why not
let well enough alone? Perhaps she
loves the fellow"
Greta bore herself like one with good
news: tender color trembled on her
cheek, sort of suppressed Joy shone in
her eyes. An open letter lay before
her, and Mr.. Grafton sat in her easy
chair.
Mrs. Stoughton, watching from her
window, wondered what under the sun
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