Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-05-11

wanted her; would she be his wife?
Her lips moved to tell him she did not
love him; but as she let fall her eyes
from the crimson hearted rose that
swung from the vine over the win
dow she caught sight of those few lines
again.
Married ?" she said to herself.
"What can do? He doesn't ask me
to love him. If [ marry him can be
true wife to him, and nobody will know
that Paul has Tilted me-.
The decision was made. Her cheeks
were ashy pale as she looked up into
his eyes and answered, quietly: eyes,
1 will be your wife.
Her parents were pleased that she
was chosen by so well-to-do q young
man; so it was settled, and they were
married the same summer People
thought she sobered down wonderfully;
more than that, nothing was said that
would lend any one to suppose that any
change had taken place.
Yes, she had sobered down. She
dared not think of Paul. There was no
hope ahead Life was time to be filled
with something so that she might not
think of herself. John was always kind,
but she got so wearied of his talk of
stock and crops, and said to herself:
81 must work harder, plan and fuss
and hustle about as other women do,
SO that I may forget and grow like
John"
Two years went by. A baby slept
in the cradle, and Martha-nobody
called her Matte but Paul-sat rock
ing with her foot as she knitted blue
wooden stocking for the baby's father.
There was a knock at the half-open
door.
CIVIL you be kind enough to direct
me the nearest way to the village ?"
said voice, and a stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required
direction when he came quickly for
ward.
"Paulr'
"Mattie I"
His face lighted up and he reached
out his arms. With a surprised, pain
full look, she drew back.
"Mr. Gardner, this is a most unex-
pected meeting"
"Mr. Gardner!" he repeated; "Mat-
tie, what do you mean?"
"Don't call me Matte, if you please. ~
she replied, with dignity. "My name is
Phillips
"Phillips!" he echoed. care you
married?"
"These are strange words from you,
Paul Gardner; did you think [ was
waiting all this time for another
womans husband ?-that I was keeping
my faith with one who played false so
soon?"
''Played you false! / am come as [
promised you. Two years are but passed,
and I am here to claim you. Why do
you greet me thus? Are you indeed
married, Matte Gray?"
For an answer she pointed to the cradle.
face and folded arms.
"Ten me why you did this a! Didn't
you love me well enough to wait for
me ?''
She went and unlocked a drawer and
took outa newspaper. Unfolding it and
finding the place, she pointed to it with
her finger and he read the marriage
| notice.
"What OF this?" he asked, as he met
her reproachful look. "Oh, Matte!
you thought it meant me. It is my cou-
sin. / am not married nor in love with
any one but you"
care you telling me the truth 90 she
asked in an eager, husky whisper.
And then, as he replied cit is true, %
she gave low groan and sank into a
chair.
ooh, Paul, forgive me! I didn't know
you had cousin by the same name. /
ought not to have doubted you, but
twas there in black and white-and-
this man, my husband, came, and I mar
ried himi"
With bitter tears she told him how it
all happened. With clenched hands he
walked to and fro, then stopped beside
the cradle and bent over the sleeping
child.
Then ne turned, and kneeling before
her, he said in low voice:
as you can.
He took both her hands in his and
looked steadily, lovingly into her face.
His lips twitched convulsively.
81 have no right here-You are an
other mans wife. Goodbye. God bless
you"
And she went down on her knees be-
side her sleeping baby and prayed for
strength. They never saw one another
again.
Seventy years old Her stalwart sons
and bright-eyed daughters rememberhe
as loving and devoted mother; her
gray haired husband as most faithful
wife.
"Never was a woman more patient
and kind, and as good housewife as
ever was" he said, as he brushed the
back of his old brown hand across his
eyes while looking down on the peaceful
face.
And not one of them ever knew of the
weary heart and broken hope that had
died in her breast, nor ever dreamed of
the sad load she had borne through life.
Didn't Understand 1t.
The sculptor Macdonald is credited
with the following anecdote of Edwin
Forrest, Illustrative of the danger at
tending the casting of statues in bronze