Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-12-29
HCertainly: the sister will hear any.

"It begins like fairy tale," was the
answer; that once upon time, young
man loved sweet young girl who cared
nothing for him, and no wonder. She
was his superior in everything that
makes one truly great; beautiful, re-
fined and cultured, she used her talents
for the happiness of those near her, and
for His honor who gave them. She did
not forget che poorat her door. She had
high and ennobling views of life, and be-
ieved that to every one is given the work
which he alone can do without which his
being is poor, warped and stunted, and
turned aside from it's rightful end Her
friend-he was that once-did not agree
with her in practice. His theories were
grand and lovely, hut he would not de-
scend among the workers of the world.
He had riches-there was no need for
him to toll for daily bread. He was con-
tent to enjoy all his days. He loved art
and genius in every form; in gathering
their works about him, in administering
to his own delight, he said, he fulfilled
his mission-he helped the toilers.
"Well, he had formed for him5elf
rare and wondrous ideal of the home he
would have with her he loved; and he
came, year ago to-day, to offer his love
to her."
Alice's head dropped slightly, but she
sat as still as at the first.
"She threw it from her with rightful
scorn. In a few whitening words she
told him she could never love him. She
said, Thou art weighed in the balance
and found W ,nting' He had chosen the
day as happy one, trusted it full of
good for him; and he went out of her
presence with great bitterness in his
soul. She might be just, but not
merciful.
CATER this he went away to a distant
city, and when he had grown to feel
klndlier towards her, the reaction came.
[ do not mean that he found other love,
as some men say the heart is caught in
the rebound, but an awakening came to
his soul. He saw the meagerness of his
plan of life, and he vowed to be yet
worthy of her friendship, and one day
returned and claimed it.
"He was then twenty-five. He had
dipped little into theology, little into
law, and more into medicine, 80 he choose
that as his profession. He worked at
it more diligently than they who work
for bread, taking two years course in
six months, attending all the lectures,
and proving every knotty question for
himself. He received his diploma, and
wrote on his card M. ID. He wanted to
go back to her then; he was worn out
with striving, and louged for some need
of praise, some word from her to cheer
him on.
"Poor fellow!' came involuntarily
from Alice
"But he waited; he would be Drawer,
and do something first. He did not need
fees, 80 he began with some of those
dark places of the city, where strife and
hunger and sickness abound, he found
squallid houses, where wretched beings
sleep on straw, looking up through
broken roofs to frosty skies; misery that
he could relieve, ignorance that he could
save. This work was not great-small
deeds, still and secret; but he found
strength in doing for Gods creatures.
He was O wiser, better man than when
revealing amid all the exquisite creation
of art. He gloried in his wealth, for the
wondrous things 1t might accomplish,
and he thanked the good Giver for it.
"Mlss Brent, you sat in judgment on
this man once! has ne won back your
esteem? Can you honor one who is try
ing to live for some other than himself !?
[ must know!'
Alice had been waiting for some ques-
ton, and she Gained her voice to answer
low and steadily:
''The woman who rashly despised that
man, honors and reverences him as one
of the noblest who ever lived"
''Masks off, good people!' cried out
the CHEEKY voice of the squire; ''and
then we'll adjourn to the other room. :"
''Let me assist you," and the strange
monk quickly united the twisted cord,
while Alice Brent sat there before him
with look of gladness in her eyes, as
she sought his face, that made up to
John Tborne for all the long months of
sacrifice and endeavor.
'Alice," he said hesitatingly, 81
thought it was enough to be called your
friend one more; but if you give me a
different answer-if you could learn in
time-if there is even a possibility that
this New Year holds so much JOY for
me-"
She lifted pure, radiant, peerless
face. and said:
John, have loved you all the time. %
He laid the golden head on his shoulder
and from thenceforth they two were con-
to bear any pain but separation. Life
had no sweeter portion for them.
"Where has the child gone ?" The
words broke in upon them as from some
other land, and Alice sprany up with, go
father! [ forgot that tbs masks were
off,"
'I should think you had, keeping my
old friend Thorue IN here all this time.
Why didn't you send me word, nv good
fellow? I would not have missed you
for anything. Your aunt ls here; came
In to see how the young folks looked, and
she told us your new title"
"What mischief have you been about?
[ haven't seen such roses in your cheeks
for many long day. I like you, I like
you, John, very much, and he enforced
his words with hearty shake of the
hand.