Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-06-18

grleved by his 1ndlt1erenCe, visited a
great deal, and on every occasion that
it was prudent to do SO carried my
child with me.
She attracted universal admiration,
and popular Swedish artist grew so
enthusiastic over her beauty that he
begged me to sit with her as the CEN
trail figures for landscape ne was
working over with great care. Pleased
with the compliment / consented to do
so and we were to begin the series of
sittings the following day.
Milton came in the evening. l greet
ed him quietly and pleasantly, though
l could scarcely keep back my tears:
He was rather courteous, but expressed
his disapproval Of the promise l had
given the artist to sit with Pearl for his
picture.
camilla, you must not do SO impru-
dent a thing" he said calmly; "and the
best excuse you can have for breaking
your engagement is to join the party my
sister is making up to spend week by
the seaside. l came to bear you an es-
pecial invitation"
Seating himself beside me, the old
radiant look came back into the calm
eyes, and a fond smile played about the
proud lips.
"Let us be happy for one little week,
Camilla. ust one week. Don't refuse
my sisters invitation"
For the first time, he pressed a warm
kiss upon my hand-for the first time
looked flushed, ardent, loving. All,
what Joy to be reinstated in his heart!
And why should / not grant his simple
requestg
"But Pearl-shall she go, too? |
ought not to leave her."
The light died out Of his face for an
instant, then he said very pleasantly,
pearl again, the little mischief-makerl
How jealous 1 have been of her! But,
Camilla, you are right, after all, for if
you could not love and be faithful to so
beautiful a child, you would be cold
hearted indeed. But can't you, for my
sake. steal away from her for one week?
l feel assured that Mrs. Crane and nurse
will care for her properly"
He loved me, he commended me, he
acknowledged the beauty of my dar-
ling; and although my better nature
whispered me to stay with my child, l
allowed myself to be persuaded to leave
her, to 60 for few days to the pretty
town nestled on the white sands Of the
seashOre.
A days preparation and all was in
readiness. The hour of departure
came. Pearl was sleeping, and, kneel-
ing beside her dainty cradle, [ lovingly
kissed the bright cheeks and scarlet
lips, and prayed that Heaven would
watch over my beautiful treasure.
Ours was merry party. About half
a dozen friends had joined US, and the
days passed pleasantly.
[ was very. very happy. There were
many visitors at the hotel where we
were stopping, by whom [ was much
admired; but Milton had asked me to
be his bride, and the betrothal ring
sparkled on my hand.
We stood on the beach alone. The
moon was shining with the stars, and
the whole world seemed full of JOY and
beauty before me.
"Camilla Camilla. A telegram for
you"
1t was the soft voice of Millions sister
that called to me from the hotel.
A telegram From whom? A terri
BILE fear rose in my mind, and my heart
seemed to stand still as / fled to the
house, and grasping the fatal paper,
read:
"Come home at once! [ fear Pearl
will not live till you arrive.
CAMILLA CRANE"
Our party had collected anxiously
around me. l raised my eyes, and en-
countered the brilliantly triumphant
gaze of my bethrothed. I was frantic,
wild. My child dying without mel
my beautiful Pearl dying, while her
mother was away amusing herself.
and joining in the companionship of a
lover who despised her baby girl
Suddenly the whistle Of an engine
broke upon the stiffness. 1t was the
train bound for our village: it would
stop but one minute. No horse no car
rage. no way to reach it in time!
Without word, [ snatched the lam
tern from its low hook in the hall, and
rushed out into the moonlight, and soft
summer air, every nerve of brain and
body strained to the utmost. I ran as
swiftly as [ could across the long stretch
OF White Sanu Lnat 1nt6rV0nou between
me and the railroad above the station.
was in time. The train was moving
out slowly.
Standing fearlessly on the line, I
frantlcally swung my lantern up and
down. The engine driver stopped the
train, and the guard, who had known
me all my life, lifted me into the car
riage.
The passengers gazed at me curious
1y-at my tasteful evening dress,
soiled and torn; at my disheveled hair,
with a few bruised flowers still clinging
amid its damp fold.
But my darling was dying! dying!
dying! saw the word written in flames
of fire before my eyes, and hour after
hour it seemed burning deeper and
deeper into my brain. 'S Il
The distance was az length accom-
plished. The train stopped at our vii
lage. My darling still lived! Oh, thank
heaven!
Calming the fearful excitement that