Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-21

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told Mr.. Cherry he thought her the
handsomest woman ne ever saw"
II am glad my husband has such
good taste; if be should say was the
handsomest woman he ever saw,
should feel ashamed Of his judgem ent."
"Well, Mrs. Sterling, | thought I
would just warn you little, but I see [
get no thanks for my pains"
ooh, yes, thank you. Mrs. Cherry.
It's delightful to hear all the gossip of
a country village. Do call again-it
gives us any amount of sport. Irene
enjoys 1t too. amazingly"
Mrs. Cherry went home indignant,
not knowing what to think of Ida's con-
duct.
Frank Sterling was a thriving young
merchant who had come from neigh
boring city with his accomplished wife,
to the town of Marysville, to engage in
business. His mother-in-law had al
ways lived there, but Ida Mckay had
many advantages over her companions.
She was rich, and had wealthy relatives
in the city, where she spent her winters.
limits of the village high school, but she
had spent four years at college, with
her cousin Irene as a roommate. They
became inseparahle, though Irene was
naughty, and Ida gentle and approach
able. When Frank Sterling won the
sweet, winsome girl, he became as a
brother to Irene. There was no thought
of jealousy in her heart. for he
chose her before the proud beauty. Ida
had no idea what a talk her coming to
the village would make. She was al
most as much a stranger as her cousin.
Mrs. Mckay was frightened when the
first tale reached her, and hurried away
to warn her daughter. The girls took
it as good joke, and resolved to see
how great fire a little matter might
kindle. Frank was taken into their
confidence, and without departing one
step outside Of the strictest propriety,
with their eyes open, they saw and heard
many amusing things. All their init
macy was construed into cause for
shame, and from the first small begin
nings. every married woman in Marys-
vile imagined her husband in love with
Irene Sanderson. They swept past her
with heads erect and averted eyes,
catching away their garments, lest they
might touch hers. She was intimate
with Judge Maxwell's refined family,
and frequently called there to enjoy
good laugh over the town excitement.
Among the gentlemen who considered
himself one Of her favored admirers,
was simple fellow whom she one day
met at Judge Maxwell's in the conser-
vatory, and asked him the names of
several new plants This condescension
from the proud girl set him almost be-
side himself, and the next day he sent
her an elegant bouquet. She returned
her thanks, placed it in vase on the
parlor mantel, and very demUrely told
Ida and Frank that Mr. Morrison sent it.
Now Mr.. Morrison was one of those
unfortunately tall people whose small
head was stuck on a very slim, long
neck, way up IN the air like CRATES;
his arms were three feet long, and his
lower limbs two-thirds of his entire
height, which was six feet, six inches.
The idea of his sending bouquets to
Irene Sanderson, was too funny for
Frank, and he nearly exploded. "He
will call this evening"" said he, when he
could find time too speak for laughing.
"Then I shall dress in my prettiest,
and behave beautifully" she answered,
catching her cousins merriment. ~
like tall nen-some thing to cling to-"
Frank was right. At seven the bell
rang, and the tall gentleman was ush-
cred into the parlor. His coat was not
Of ho loft h11t icto
frock. The sleeves had not allowed for
the crawl, and his pants just covered
the red tops of MS boots.
Frank and La were ready for fun,
and when Irene swept. into the room in
an elegant light blue silk, cut en- princesse
style, with diamonds flashing at her
neck, ears, and in the butterfly brooch
that held her rich satin sash, he sprang
to his feet and stared at her, with mouth
and eyes open.
"Good- Mr., Morrison," said
she, in her soft, musical voice, extend
ing her delicate jeweled hand to be
grasped by his rough palm. "Ipresume
[ am indebted to you for those beauti-
full flowers? You have excellent taste
in arranging bouquet"
am glad you like It," he SIAM
mered. Judge Maxwell said you
would not accept it, but [ kinder
thought you would, because I knowed
you liked flowers"
"Of course, Mr.. Morrison" and she
sank into luxuriant chair near him.
her rich dress falling about his feet.
sHow should Judge Maxwell know my
tasteW
Ijust told him I guessed [ knowed
your preferences about as we'll as he;
but Miss Sanderson, you needn't mind
calling me MIR. Morrison, it sounds SO
distant like. Just call me 'BilP, and
I'll feel better acquainted"
Excuse me, but it's not city custom
to cali a gentleman by his first name
upon so short an acquaintance"
Frank could bear no more, and made