Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-02-26

quired any help in the prosecution OF
his suit. [ never thought, Belle a hirt,
or that she would willingly distress any
human being; but she had a way OF
looking in ones eyes as if to 'captivate
them, for her more personal amuse-
ment. At any rate, she had larger
share of beaux than the other girls,
but all their attentions came to nothing.
I feared it might be so with Fred Evans,
and warned him accordingly; but Fred
said he'd "have her if he tried all his
life;;" that without her life was naught
to him." that "she was the only living
being VINO had ever awakened real
emotion in his breast" etc, etc. After
that l said no more, but closely observed
the lovers, and soon came to the con-
clusion that Fred was by no means dis
agreeable to her. Things went on in
this way without any definite result I'M
til Fred received sudden summons
home on account of his mothers illness.
When he came back to renew his visit,
he insisted upon staying at the Oakville
Hotel rather than wear out his welcome
at our house, and finding remonstrance
unavailing, there he went. The land
lord (honest old Downsbury-I wonder
if he yet lives) gave Fred, at my sueges-
his best bedroom, "No. 20''-I am par
ticular in mentioning the number.
"He shall have No. 90" said Downs
bury. ''Any friend of yours, Master
Augustus, shall have the best
[ have to give as longs
Pm landlord 1t was pleasant room
looking out on the distant hills and the
beautiful winding branch of the Black
water; but what cared Fred for scenery
he was in the hands of the blind god,
and could not see even as far as his
nose, except in the direction Of Bellies
cottage. | used to go over to Fred's
room and smoke my cigar, while he,
poor wretch, eXpatiated on his suffer
ings, doubts and solicitudes. Did she
love him ? that was the question which
disturbed every moment ofhis existence,
and to which, with the closest reasoning,
he could not bring himself satisfac-
tory reply. Sometimes he thought a
word or sign settled the point beyond
doubt in his. favor; at others he
fancied he read a GOODNESS and indiffer-
ence IN her eyes, In this condition of
question lest a hasty step might bring
him to grief. 5I
At Fred's earnest solicitation | prom
ised to sound Belle as to her senti-
ments, if a favorable opportunity pre-
sented itself, or at any rate to let her
know, in an indirect way, that Fred was
languishing in distress on her account,
and thus give her no excuse for unne-
cessarily prolonging his misery. 1t so
happened, however, that my services
were not called into requisition. Belle
Bronson, because of the sudden arrival
at her house of some country cousins,
was obliged to give up ner room-her
mothers cottage being small one-and
to occupy for a single night room at
the hotel. We would cheerfully have
offered her guests accommodation at
our house, but we were in the same
predicament. An agricultural fair in the
village had brought many strangers in
to the place, and our own guests were
so numerous that [ had given up my
room to two of them, and had intended
asking Fred Evans to let me pass the
night with him. tae
For this purpose WENT to the hotel at
a late hour, and proceeded at once to
Fred's room, but to my surprise found
no one there. [ did not even notice that
his trunk was gone, or suspect the fact,
which afterward became apparent, that
"tO oblige some lady guests for this
night only" as the landlord expressed
it, Fred had consented to give up "No.
2O'' and occupy a small room in the
rear of the building. The gas being
turned up, took book to await his
return, and, hearing at last what app ear
ed to be steps approaching the room,
and, supposing it to be Fred, in mo-
mentary impulse to play a joke upon
him, [ slipped under the bed, a large
and high one, intending to initiate cat
(of which animal [ knew he had de-
testation) SO soon as he entered the
room. The door opened, and was on
the point of INDUCING in my ventrilo-
quail faculty by giving a long-drawn
m1ieoay, when from my hiding-place be-
held Belle Bronson take quiet possession
Of the apartment!
My astOn1shmentW was so great, and the
sense of modification so intense, that
did not, as [ should nave done, make
myself Immediately known to her.
Thus the opportunity for discovery and
explanation was lost. dared not move
a hair, but hoped sincerely that some
excuse might take her out of the room
for moment, and SO facilitate my es-
cape. She, however, locked the door,
removed the key, and, as l knew by the
sound, prepared to retire. Finally she
kneeled down beside the bed, and clasp
ing her hands and bowling her head $50
fearfully near to mine that I could hear
the soft words in my very earl, she Of
fered up her evening prayer in a man
ner so full of feeling, and with such
sweet accents Of womanly tenderness
and devotion, that felt as if she was an
angel bending over the vilest of mortals.
That prayer went to my heart; but one
portion of it went through it and held it
captive. Never shall / forget my feel
ings of surprise and deep emotion when
[ heard her utter these words: "Bless
my dear mother, sisters and friends;
bless all around me, and, O God! bless
him I love, Augustus Ever reen, and