Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-03-22

emergencies, cue. Auu ISttiAy AO e.lu
look so gallant and handsome that most
girls would have been willing to face a
herd of wild buffaloes under his protec-
ton.
Duva1 felt Fontaine's bravado per-
sonal slight, but he did not wish to make
Imogene the subject of quarrel, and
after rather unsatisfactory visit the
two men went home together.
However, next morning Captain Fon-
tame had the most graceful little note
from Miss Imogene, asking him to
bring his guitar and assist her in en-
tertaining few guests that evening.
Duval had also one, equally hattering;
for it touchingly referred to their mutu-
al danger and escape, and hoped he
would come prepared to finish the ex-
quisite poem which had been SO terribly
interrupted.
The evening was remarkable one IN
many respects. Scarcely ever had the
ex-governor's mansion been so profusely
decorated and so brilliantly illuminated,
the principal magnates of the ne1ghbor-
hood had been invited.
Imogene had never looked go bewilder-
ingly unreal and poetic. Her oval face,
with its creamy color and soft dark eyes,
was crowned with great waves of dark
hair and snowy flowers, and her long
drapery of some soft silky tissue seemed
to simmer and glance like fairy robe,
as, with winning smiles and gracious,
graceful manners, she fitted to and fro
among the guests.
John Winthrop was among them. He
did not dance, and he did not sing, and
he smiled queerly at the very idea of re-
citing poetry; consequently, neither
Duval nor Fontaine felt uneasy about
his influence. Indeed, he seemed only
to be able to converse on two subjects
property and politics.
Still he had one great advantage-he
staid In the same house with Imogene,
and could see her in many favorable mo-
ments forbidden to less happy mortals.
But Duval, who watched him closely,
was soon convinced he was Indifferent to
this immense favor; for Duval had found
opportunities of putting very clever
leading questions to Mr.. Winthrop, and
that gentleman had answered him with
the greatest candor.
Indeed, he was SO much more polite
and sympathetic than he expected that
Duval, who really longed for confidant,
poured out his whole soul to him, and
asked John candidly what was his opinion
about his own and Fontaine's chances.
Did he really think Fontaine would win
Imogene?
John said he knew very little of women,
but he thought Fontaine would not win
Miss Imogene.
1t is a comfort to have confdant,
and Duval frightened SO much under the
process of pouring out his hopes to John
that Fontaine noticed the change and
began to fear that his rival had comfort
and encouragement of which he did not
know.
He was bordering this question very
gloomily one night when he met John
Winthrop. How it happened be never
could tell, but in five minutes the two
men were talking of Imogene, and Fon-
tame had told John all his hopes and
fears with regard to her. John listened
with interest, and even encouraged the
conversation, though he tried to moder-
ate Fontaine's complaints of Duval.
"For," said he, sit is only right to
tell you that [ am also Duval's confdant.
/ must say the affair is full of interest
to me, and [ can partly understand how
it fills and colors all the hours of your
two lives. For me, things are different.
If I should fall in love, I could not af-
ford to lose either an hours time or an
hours sleep about any woman"
In this way matters went on for some
weeks. John vas the known confdant
of both men, a post not half as difficult
as it appears at first sight. For Fon-
tame often wanted to say something
about Duval he did not care to say to
Duval's face. He therefore made the
remark to John, hoping that he would
be his mouth-piece, add it is needless to
say that Duval followed the same plan.
John smiled, and smoked, and listened,
and kept very quiet-a thing easy
enough to do, for both lovers only cared
tohear themselves complain. That they
kept up SO long an appearance of friend
ship was entirely due to Johns wise re-
ticence, and his charitable rendering of
such scraps of conversation as he felt
obliged to report.
But smouldering fire can not always
be controlled, and one night when Imo-
SOHO haO OOOu fCIJ uduSnly anu Cross
to both Duval and Fontaine, they I'M
fortunately met on the piazza of their
hotel. Duval was Respondent and pros
trate. Fontaine angry and scornfuI, and
Duval's air unconsciously irritated him.
Chow ill-tempered Miss Imogene was
tonight '' he said, fretfully, fiinging his
half-smoked cigar into the street.
Miss Imogene isnever ill-tempered, :"
answered Duval, warmly. CT will not
allow you to say such thing"
"You won't allow me? Understand I
shall say what choose about that young
lady. I do not recognize your right to
defend her."
"Nor / yours to blame her,
Perhaps have more right than you
know Of"
"That is lying insinuation; you are
no gentleman to make it"
"Do you dare to say it is lie ?"
eyes, I don't mind saying it is solid
he?"
"You know the consequence of that
speech, I SUPPOSED"
4bo,oo Il