Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-07-27

| tached. Report was right for once, and
Bertha's word was law to her brother,
who concentrated upon her all the affec-
| ton that other men dissipate on the
thousand and one objects to which he
was utterly Indifferent.
"The magic emerald" said Stephen
Langton, "has been an heirloom III our
family for the last 400 years. Apart
from its associations, it is very
valuable stone from it's size and quality.
1t is said, under certain circumstances,
to have the power of losing it's tint and
becoming perfectly colorless."
"What are those circumstances 2"
asked Lady Matilda.
eff it's possessor is guilty of any great
meanness or rascality, If he betrays O.
friend, or commits any really vile or
wicked action, the emerald loses its color,
and when that happens it warning of
certain punishment. The criminal may
strive to avert the penalty; but it will
come in spite of all he may do p
-" And has that ever happened ?"
"Never, since it has been in our
family" responded Langton. "My
forbearers have either been exceptional
~ virtuous, or the emerald has lost it's
powers or never possessed them"
go Mr.. Langton, pray don't cast
| doubt on such really charming story
So very romantic, so truly interesting.
But supposing that it's possessor-vou,
for instance Though I'm sure, of course.
that you wouldn't )-were to do some
thing really dreadful, would the emerald
never recover it's color?"
Never, so long as it remained in my
possession. But directly it became an
other mans property it would be as at
present, and would remain so until he
did something awful, SO on
Lady Matilda made no remark III an
swer to her companions last speech,
and indeed. seemed not to have heard it.
She was looking intently between the
bushes behind Langton, and, as he
ceased to speak, she rose i'll order to OBJ
tain better view of the object on which
her eyes were fixed. Langton turned
and gazed with languid curiosity in
the same direction. But suddenly he
rose, too, and stood beside his compan-
ion with his teeth set fast and his face
palling beneath it's ruddy bronze. Lady
Matildas face was white with ill-dissem-
bled anger, and the hand which parted
the leaves was agitated by an angry ire
NOR.
A young man of % or %, light haired,
fresh colored, and looking exasperating~
ly cool and calm in the blazing sunlight
which lit the open space about him,
came Iounging up the little hill on which
stood the copse which hid the listeners
from view. Beside him walked girl
some few years his Junior, attired in a
dress of some diaphanous fabric, Lit by
ribbons of pale blue. Her summer hat
decorated like her dress, she carried in
her hand, and thickly twisted coronet
of leaves and flowers was III its place
upon her lustrous hair. Ignorant of the
scrutiny to which they were subjected,
they came on until they we're within
twenty yards of their concealed watch
ers. Then, seized by sudden faint
ness, the young man fell, limp and in
vertebrate, against tree, uttering a hol-
low groan. The lady regarded him with
countenance whose gravity was contra
dicted by the laughter of her eyes. He
raised bis appealingly to her face, and
groaned again.
"Well ?' she asked.
He pressed his hand upon his heart,
and gasped:
"The customary restorative"
The girl looked about, and then, be-
| ieving herself unperceived, stopped over
| her exhausted companion and kissed
him. He, with sigh of relief, briskly
recovered the perpendicular, and the
pair disappeared from the view of the
enraged Lady Matilda and her compan-
| ion.
Shameful ' gasped the angry lady.
"Shameful Outrageous How dare
he ?'
Langton made no answer, but tugged
silently at his mustache.
"Mr. Langton, painted Lady Matilda,
&c pray you to believe that I am no
party to this disgraceful conduct on the
part of my daughter"
"Disgraceful p repeated Langton,
with an astonishing lifting of the eye
brows. "Why disgraceful Z? Perfectly
natural, I should say
Lady Matilda glared at him, as if
doubtful of his sanity.
"Given," continued her companion,
"a country house, a handsome young
man, a pretty girl, time, place, and OPP
portunity, surely the result should not
surprise you"
"But without consulting me-"
Langton broke in, with calm impu-
dence which completely bewildered his
companion:
"Did you always ask your mammals
permission before"
He did not complete this sentence, but
eked out his meaning with smile.
The lady, with an angry hirt of her
parasol, turned from him and walked to-
ward the distant Hall. He followed her.
"My dear Lady Matilda, pray don t
take thematter so hardly. There is-isn't
better fellow in the whole world than
Roderick Vane."
GA penniless adventurer.'
"Permit me. Not an adventurer and
not penniless. That he has decent
position is past dispute; he is a gentle
man, and has very good prospects, %
GA very good catch for BRIDESMAID
daughter, no Doubt answered the Of
Tended mother. "But I had looked