Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-06-30

him, when he knows how would die for
him. Oh, Wilfredl my love, my dearest,
how could you leave me SOL"
1t was not strange that that other time
should rise wildly before her; that day,
six month ago, when, in this very room,
in the first blissful realization of their
mutual passion, he had fallen on his
knees before her, and solemnly affirmed
that, come what would, no power on
earth should ever separate him from her.
eff ever a woman was sure of man,
Saidee, you are sure of me !"
What music the words were, though
neither of them could forsee the future
and the sore test that awaited them.
All seemed bright ahead; they were to
be married in six months time, and she
was TO go away with him to Brazil,
where he had secured government APP
pOintment
There seemed no need of the passion
ate protestations, the solemn oath of
this fond lover; their truth was to be
tried. In the fifth month of their en-
gagement, Aunt Ruth-of whom Saidee
was the especial pet and protege-was
thrown from her carriage and received
injuries which, though it was not be-
lieved they would prove fatal, left her in
very critical and apprehensive state.
True, the wedding day was named and
Wilfred must go; true, there were loving
hearts beside Saidee to care for poor
Aunt Ruth, but it seemed to her tender
nature most crime to leave her, at
least, until danger was positively past.
And when, one morning, the old lady
drew down the fair face to hers, and
whispered, imploringly, "You will not
leave me, pet, while there is a doubt of
my getting well?" she promised unhesi-
tatingly that she would not.
Perhaps if she had known Wilfred
Hare better, she could not have promised
so readily. But she knew him only as
the tender lover, the man who had sworn
that, come what would, no power ON
earth should ever separate him from her.
It could be easily settled, she thought;
he, as she, would feel very sad and dis
appointed, but he, as she, must see the
impossibility of her going now. They
could be married, and, as soon as
Aunt Ruth was decided out of danger,
she would go to him.
All this in full trust and faith she con-
fided to Wilfred Hare. She was i'll pre-
pared for the reception her words met,
the imperious workings of this mans
will What right had she, without con-
sIllting him even, to make promise to
any one that conficted with her own to
him? His love gave him the right to
command her; if she loved him she
would obey. She must marry him and
go away with him, else their present re-
lations must cease.
In vain she pleaded her promise, her
tender affection for Ruth; he would
yield nothing to an old woman's whim.
So he remained imperious, persistent;
she troubled, yet hopeful, thinking that
finally he must yield, neither believing
that separation was possible when the
testing time should come.
Saidee strove to smile; she took up
her worsteds and continued sorting
them, as if thus to begin disciplning
herself for the burdens of her new life
1t could not be otherwise, she thought
she could not break her promise to Aunt
Ruth, she could not leave her now. And
as Wilfred willed she must submit.
Amid her pain arose sudden, keen
feeling of disappointment; it vanished
almost Immediately in realization that
was born from it.
81 am so glad" shesaid, softly, 'sthat
[ am not one of those who think per-
feet object is necessary for loving; l do
not think perfect object is a test of
love. [ am not blind; Wilfred is very
tyrannical, selfish, very, very unkind,
but, but, as never till to-day have fully
realized it, so never has he been so dear
to me-"
This realization awoke tender resolve.
&C [ can never let him go away so; |
must prove to him how dear he is and
must ever be to me.
From this came the tender note that
found it way next morning to Wilfred
Hare: Il
90 cannot let you go away, dear, with
out one little word. [ know you are
angry with me, and I am very, very I'M
happy, for never since our engagement,
have I loved you as to-day. My little
word is that I must always, always love
you, and that I will never marry any
man but Wilfred Hare. Perhaps some
day you will understand and forgive me,
and then you will be glad to think of
this" -f".
Very sadly she dropped the tender
little note in the mail-box, very drearily
she went back the familiar road to her
home. @
It seemed but yesterday that she had
walked here with Wilfred, so happy and
confident. How sad and dark the road
seemed now So absorbed was Saidee.
that she did not see the man walking
ahead, who suddenly turned and paused,
as If awaiting her. She started as she
drew closer and perceived him, her first
impulse was to fee; she shrank from the
sad face that she felt now was SO Like hers.
But it was too late. He had retraced
his steps to meet her and was now walk
ing at her side.
s fsSaidee, he said softly, "there are
not many days now. Do not send me
away from YOU
He made no effort to cloak his tender
ness, either in word or look. He had
roI 10 e. L. l. L