Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-24
PATTY OR PEARL?

A warm, clear April night, holding a
primrose of the summers splendor-a
night that stole softly into the library Of
Benjamin Darren's stately city home,
and wrapped slender, graceful figure
In the sweetness of its llac-scented dusk.
Beside the open window stood man,
tall, gray-haired, resolute, stern.
"This is nonsense, Pearl-sheer non
sense !" be said, ang1ily. "Where you
get such romantic notions [ cannot i'm
agine- Loved for yourself-what stuff
girls talk Why, child, you have the
best match in the country at your feet,
and you refuse him! Not as rich as we
are, of course" and his gold seals were
pompously dangled; but fine family,
good connections, brilliant talents"
'sFather, !" and there was an imperious
ring In the girlsh voice, eve will drop
this subject, once and for ALL He has
not seen me since he drew me to school
on his sled, little child, ten years ago;
and more chan likely he is as anxious as
/ am to be free from that childish en-
gagement, contracted by our parents
without our consent. And now, papa,
darling" with sudued change OF voice,
''you will let this be the end-wiE you
not?"
And before he could say yes or no,
she had thrown her white arms around
his neck, giving him concihatory little
hug, and, with trou-frou of her silken
dress, had flown from the room.
Summer, with it's breathless, st1fing
heat-its enervating sultriness-beat
down from sky of brass upon the star
ing city streets. Almost every one of
Importance had left town, on pleasure
bent, but Benjamin Darren's blue-eyed
heiress petulantly and resolutely refused
to go.
"Where is the good of leaving?" she
would say when they urged her. 81
have had two seasons from home-not
many, to be sure-but 1t is tiresome;
and that fellow, Roy-Roy-what's his
name?-would be turning up somewhere
and spoil it all. No, | viii stay In the
city and enjoy myself quietly in my own
way"
But when July came, with its binding,
uncomfortable heat, she began to repent
her hastily-made decision, and longing
sprarg up In her heart to escape from
all this white, shallowless glare-to hear
the sandy beach, or to lie restfully calm,
mighty branches.
So her father looked up in unfeigned
surprise, one day, when she came into
his office, a dainty vision, all cream and
heliotrope, and told him her resolution.
"Not to any of the crowded watering
places, papa, she said, decidedly, when
he suggested Newport; "but away up
among the mountains to Aunt Deborah S
lonely, coy farmhouse After one win
ter's city life, [ am tired of it, and find
myself longing for rest, GOODNESS and
homemade bread"
Mr.. Barren drew her fondly to him,
curious twinkle in his eyes.
81 am heartily glad that this stubborn
little fortress has surrendered; and now
now there is only one tower left stand
ing-a slender tower of resolute opposi-
tion-and may the mountain breezes
blow that down, my darlingt'
But Pearl shut tightly together lips
brightly pink as oleander blossoms, and
gravely shook her head.
x 4
The afternoon sun stared unblinkingly
In on the shining tins and sand-scoured
floor of Deborah Darren's coy kitchen,
andon Deborah Barren herself-a strong
featured. kind-eyed spinster, in snowy
kerchief and snowier cap, serenely peel.
ing red-cheeked apples in the rocker by
the open window.
The moments licked on 20 three and
still she sat there, till over the snow
Hecked floor shadow fell.