Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-24
Deborah Darren's country neice were
one and the same.

OeDOran DArTeH Is country ne1Ce were
one and the same.
But alas for woman's stability
Well, after that PEARLS heart all un-
consciously learned to bent at the sound
of light, firm step on the garden path
PEARLS cheeks to rival Aunt Deborah's
hollyhocks at sound of mans strong
voice; after that it was only the rehearsal
of that oldest drama--that fairest play
that sweetest lesson in Gods wide
world
One lay-one dreamy, golden summer
day, when the earth was wearing it's
brightest dress, the brooks were singing
their sweetest songs, and the bobolinks
and thrushes were having it all their own
way in the giant oak above-Patty stood
listlessly, restfully, below Patty,
dressed in cool white lawn, dotted here
and there with sutiny bows, blue as her
eyes.
Up through tangled brushwood came
figure lithe-limbed, good to
see. He flung his straw hat from off his
damp, curling hair, as came up-a
strange, new excitement in his ewes.
"Miss Patty" he said, eagerly,
abruptly, 81 am come to tell you story
--OuS you SuOulu uuFo h4OWn before.
Will you listen ?"
She merely bowed her golden head
graciously, like the royal, red-lipped SOW
ereign she was; but there was q wonder
ing, rapturous little thrill at her heart
for all that.
&C Patty he had caught her white
hands in his warm clasp and was stand
ing above her, handsome, noble, flush
ing holly through the sunbrownness of
his cheek-Patty, my darling, my wild
rose, love you-I love you! There! it
is said at last! But what right have I
to speak thus to you2 How can L
Wait-you shall decide"
He spoke rapidly; incoherently, but
Patty stood there perfectly still, the
surge of color all gone from her face.
Years ago" he went on hurriedly.
still holding her hands in that strained
clasp, "our parents contracted an en-
gagement between myself and Pearl
Darchante daughter of the New York
merchant prince, named Barren. / be-
heve your aunt said they were relatives
of yours, when / mentioned the simili-
tude of your names. 1t was to have
been marriage de CONVEYANCE and I
d1d not rebel, because loved no woman
till [ saw you, my darling; but now it
can never be- My dearest, my dearest,
how much do you bring me in return for
this mighty love Of mine ?'
Roy, remember you are bound
bound! This girl-she is rich, is she
notP
Immensely; but what are riches
what, after all, is anything compared to
love? And you-surely- surely, you
love me, dear?"
"Yes-but-"
"Pray, Patty he cried out, passion
ately, brokenly, "tell me-whst shall I
do?"
The mans nature was too noble to
have had any difficulty in resigning
Benjamin Darren's heiress; but his love
and his honor were at war now, and they
were both dear to him.
"Tell me, he urged Ct want you
you only for my wife, beloved! What
shall I do"
She looked at him with grave, blue
eyes, as she said, softly:
Remember your honor, Roy"
"What ls it to love ? But 1 will abide
by your decision. What shall it be,
dear-love or honor, Patty or Pearl ?"
There was no sound for awhile, save
the chatter of the blackbirds, up in the
oak tree.
"Roy, do this: Go to the girl TO
whom you are In honor bound, q week
from to-day; no sooner-it is q whim of
mine. IF she loves her letters, you
must help her to bear them; if not
" If notch, if not? 1t is hard, but l
will do it. And, oh, my love, my little
love--pray that she may hate me!''
Up and down, mp and down, in the
long parlors of Pearl Darren's palatial
home, paced Roy Harland.
What would the next hour bring him
veal or woe, Joy OF sorrow, Patty or
Pearl? Soon he would know his fate
What would it be?
The door opened, aud figure came
softly into the room, bringing with it
faiut, sweet perfume of vioIets-a state
", girlish figure, clad in pale blue,
shimmering, silken robes, and clouds of
foamy lace. In the twilight dimness
you could catch the flash of Jewels on
throat
Dressed for a ball tonight, "ln gloss
of satin and glimmer Of pearls" was this
slender, blue-eyed queen.
Roy Harland went toward her, but
her back was to the light, as she faced
him, and he could not see her distinctly.
''Miss Barren, presume?' he said,
coldly.
But the girl before him, with a low
cry, held out her hands a-shine with
gems.
"Roy! 1soy?'
He sprang forward, a swift joy leaping
into his eyes, succeeded by profound as
constituent.
Patty-you here?"
"Where else should I be, save in my
fathers house? Roy! Roy! won't you
understands"
Aye! he understood now, and, with
great hymn of thanksgiving in his heart,
blaze of passionate love in his face,
clasped her closer in his eager arms.
"DOn't YOU pray that I shou1d hate