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

| was Just %, but had been widow
three years. In our pretty cottage.
shaded by stately trees and wreathing
vines. John and | had been blissfully
happy for twelve months, but then he
died suddenly, leaving me and my tiny
baby, Pearl, all alone.
Mrs. Crane, an old lady, noble and
true, but homeless, came to live with
us, and her companionship enabled
me to remain in the cottage where
John had brought me a bride, and
around which clustered so many sweet
memories.
[ had almost worshipped my good
husband, and my grief heart,
after his death, turned its affections
more tenderly and devotedly to the
beautiful baby girl that had been given
US, and that nestled, smiling and help
less, in nv arms.
| watched her grow with the utmost
pride and JOY, for she was surprisingly
beautiful Her features were CLASH
cally pure, and her hair, a rich golden
brown, silky and soft, clustering in
ringlets over her proud little head,
while the great eyes, with tender look
in their depths that always reminded
me Of her fathers, just matched the
tint of her hair. She was so winsOme,
SO full of dainty graces, that could not
look at her without a great thanksgiving
rising UP in my heart for her existence
After a year Of widowhood, old friends
and associates of my youth began to
gather round me, and | soon found my
self the centre of a gay circle. | was
young, and considered fairer than / had
been even In girlhood, and, after year
of sorrow and seclusiOn, [ found the
hattering adulation of admiring friends
very sweet, and new charms in the So
ciety of the sLrightly circle that so will
ingly crowned me queen.
Still my beautiful pearl was the pride
and JOY Of my home and heart, and
when she would come in the evening
and clasp her fair arms lovingly around
my neck, and whisper softly, "Good
night, dear mamma" I felt that she
would ever be my hearts dearest treas
ure.
| had not forgotten nor ceased to love
my dear John, but a new affection came
into my heart. and was intense and all
absorbing. Milton McLester, a hand
some and fastidious man, fair, cold,
and almost stern, won my woman's
heart. All
"Love is not in our power;
Nay. what seems stranger, is not in our choice;
1 We only love where Ordains we should,
And, blindly fond, oft slight superior merit
Milton was wealthy, gifted. and had
travelled and seen much of the world.
appreciated his attentions, and gloried
in the love he protested for me. In
manner he was not an ardent lover by
any means, but he made me feel that
his devotion was understood, and that
he expected to deport myself always
with regard to his pleasure.
One thing caused me much anxiety;
that was the unaccOuntable dislike my
lover manifested for my beautiful child.
My little darling seemed to know in
stinctively that he did not regard her
with favor, and would cling quietly and
closely to me whenever he was present
He had spoken more freely of his love
for me, one day, as we sat, the pretty
landscape before us frightened by the
warm tints that the setting sun cast
back upon the evening sky. I was too
happy for words, but [ looked up wor-
shipfully into the radiant face beside
me.
Just then my fairy-like child, with
the sunny curls brushed back from her
pure brow, came out in her dainty night
dress, and, creeping softly into my lap,
closed her pretty eyes, and nestled her
head on my bosom. Fondly I clasped
my arms around her, but my whole
soul was flooded with JOY by the loving
words that had just fallen from the lips
OF my companion.
For one moment played with my
baby's hair, that twined itself around
my fingers at a touch; and then lifted
my eyes to my lovers face, but found it
no longer radiant and smiling. There
was scornful curve about the express
i've lips, and the eyes were cold and
piercing.
Cant you send that child back to
her nurse?' he asked, sternly.
"Why, Milton, you are not jealous of
my poor little Pearl ?"
~ see no necessity for making q
slave of yourself"
81 have not seen my child since noon,
because l wished to spend the time quiz
city with you, Milton; but shall never
forget or neglect her for anyone"
" Very well. Good evening, madam"
and with a stately bow he strobe away
through the twilight, leaving me and
my innocent child sitting quietly in the
little porch, where we fingered until
the stars came out and shone on us
from the clear sky that arched above.
l was miserable. [ worshipped the
stern man who had just left me so
coldly, and probably forever for SO
slight and unjust cause; but l loved
also the dear baby girl that lay so con-
fdingly in my arms, all unconscious of
the unhappiness she had occasioned.
For weeks | saw little of Milton. He