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


sight of stately city young lady, clad in
snowy linen at the throat and wrists.
''Aunt Deborah, don't you know me ?"
"I-no--that is Why, you-you
can't be Ben's little girl ?"
For the belle of many brilliant ball
room had come forward, with out
stretched arms, in that whitewashed
farmhouse kitchen--come forward, sob
and laugh strangely blended in the
sweet young voice.
CT am Ben's little girl, Aunt Deborah!
Where is my welcomed"
And, for answer, Miss Barren caught
her closely in her strong arms, and, with
many tender word and fond caress,
welcomed her city niece.
By-and-bye, wnen they sat and talked
together, Pearl raised her eyes-vivldly
blue as forget-me-nots-to her aunt's
face.
"Aunt Deborah, want you to prom
Use to let me do precisely as [ please
here. I want to wear calico dresses and
q big hat, to eat apples and help you
make butter-in fine, to leave all my city
airs at home with my Worth-made
dresses in my Saratoga trunk. May | ?"
"Bless the child's heart-yes!" Miss
Deborah said, taking two little hands
soft as rose-leaves, smooth as satin, into
her wrinkled fingers. "Just as you Like,
my dear. And-and" for moment
her eyes grew strangely dim-'' would
you mind if L called you Patty? Your
own name is prettier, but | love the
other best; and you-you are so Like
her -
And Pearl Barren knew that the kind
blue eyes were moist for love of the gold-
haired little sister who, SO long ago, had
slipped from her loving arms forever to
rest on Gods green hillside.
lake care-my apples j.
But the warning came too late, for the
sharp corner in the orchard-path had
been reached by swift, flying feet, and q
young man, handsome, straight browed,
gray-eyed, had awkwardly stumbled
over and upset a great basket of apples.
Pearl Barren sprang forward, but
drew back, flushing shyly, for she saw at
glance two things-viz., that the in
truder was gentleman, and-intensely
contrite.
81 beg your pardon-I did not hear
you in time; how very unfortunate %
de was on his knees III moment, his
strong white hands searching here and
there In the grass for vagrant apples.
Pearl stood silently under the tree till
he had finished his task.
Which of her city friends would recog-
nlze her, | wonder, in that calico dress,
blue-checked apron, and sensible, broad
brimmed, coarse straw hat?
"Thank you?"
She held out her hand for the basket
as she spoke.
1T is heavy; may l not carry it for
you?"
A moments hesitation; then Pearl,
remembering how full it was, aidsimply:
'Thanks-Yes.
cover to that farmhouse, is it not?'
he asked
But his question was answered by
voice calling from the house in question:
''Patty I'atty!''
Coming, Aunt Deborah |" the girl
called, In her sweet, fresh voice.
Z" am afraid Aunt Deborah will think
me base intruder" the young man be-
side her said, laughlngly; "but the
truth Is, was making desperate at
tempt to catch the train, and, though
knowing it was not public property, on
seeing this short cut through the or
chard, determined to take it--a rashness
which merlted its consequences.
"You were trying to catch the train
You will be late; it is too bad?"
She stopped short in her walk, with
earnest, appraised eyes; but he only
laughed lazily, and shifted his basket
from one hand to the other.
''Not at all The ten-thirty tonight
will answer quite as well. [ am in no
hurry
And in no hurry he seemed as he
sauntered SO slowly onward.
At the gate she paused and held out
her hand for the basket; and as he gave
1t to her he bent down, laughing, quiz
zicai Jock in his daring gray eyes.
MISS Patty, am I forgiven?'
And she hated herself for the vivid
blush that stained her face at that
glance.
eyes"
She took his burden from him, turned,
and with curiously palpitating heart,
ran up the garden path to the house.
1i ohO OALoU 1OllOWOus NSIJ
against her will, vision rose often be-
fore her eyes-a vision that had broad
shoulders. keen gray eyes and an honest,
kindly smile.
Forth to the cool, green woods, one
day, to q private social picnic, went
Pearl, still in her disguise-for she had
extracted a solemn promise from Miss
Barren that she would say no word of
her fathers vast wealth or her own &C
knowledged position in society.
'SIt is q pleasant little masquerade,
Aunt Deborah. Let them only know
me as your nelce-Patty Darren-these
kind, good-natured friends of yours, and
that will suffice"
In those dim, pine-scented woods she
came face to face with the bronzed young
Hercules who had upset her apples in
the orchard at home.
This time there was 8 formal intro
duction by friend.
IS Mr. Row Portland Mas. Dar,,o,,