Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-06-20


The eve of Dicks departure arrived.
his father was seated in the library,
awaiting his sons return from-foyer
the meadow.
Z" At this very moment suppose the
two love-sick things are kissing one an
other, and swearing uudying affection.
I'll put a stop TO the whole business,
unused the Old gentleman.
A half hour passed and the door was
opened and the culprit entered. His
face is yet agiow with joy, his eyes are
still bright with the light of bliss.
He takes a seat near his father, and
awaits for the latter to speak.
Gin the morning you return, Rich
ard ?"
s'Yes, father" demurely said Dick.
He knew for what this interview had
been called, and he was determined to
be calm.
Do you leave behind you any ten
der attachment, my boy?"
"Eh?'
"Do you go back to your books heart
free?" coolly asked Mr.. Lisle, as he care
fully searched the others features with
absorbing eyes.
Is.
casting his eyes down.
Don't get confused, my lad; it's a
bad sign and half confession. Tell me
frankly are you engaged to the girl over
the meadow ?" and the old gentleman
hitched his thumb over his shoulder in
the direction named.
"I-that is to say"
"The1e, there, you have answered my
question:" interrupted the father, con
tinuing, "what do you intend to do
about it %
Dick did not reply.
"You say nothing, my boy. What
does it mean ?-wbat-oh, Dick, Dick,
l hope you are not a base scoundrel to
betray-"
"Stop, father" exclaimed Dick,
springing to his feet, "tbat girl is the
sweetest and best woman man ever gazed
upon. Could I betray her? Am I not
your son ?"
"Bless you, lex! feel you are my
son, and [ know you are a true fell
low. One thing more"
" Well, listen"
"Promise me that you will never look
upon Trixy Browns face again"
" A strange Wish, father.
"I have other attalnments for you,
my boy. Beside, there were other
women, fair, beautiful, more worthy"
"Of that we will not speak, inter
rupted Dick.
Some other time, then, my son; but
yOu do not promise.
Well, since you will have it. .
Dick thought a minute-"I promise
never to look upon the face of Irixie
Brown again.
"Bless you, Dick, know you will be
cured of this foolish fancy when you
come back from your books again" rap
turousIy exclaimed Mr.. Lisle, grasping
his sons hand and shaking it warmly.
In the morning Dick went back to the
college, and the two old people were
lonely without the merry laugh and
bright face of their boy.
A month passed, and one day one of
the farm hands came running to Mrs.
Lisle, and told her that the master had
been thrown from his horse. The door
is pushed open, and two of the men enter
bearing between them the inapimate
form of the master.
A broken limb is the most serious of
Mr.. Lisle's injuries. He is fretful for
days and nights, and the patient wife is
well nigh wo1n out. He will not let her
send word Of the accident to Dick, for
he says it will only break up the boys
stuQles.
A form comes across the meadows one
morning, and walks to the front door of
the mansion.
"Can [ see Mrs. Lisle?"
"Step in. Who shall [ say it is ?"
asked the servant, as she ushered the
visitor into the hall.
"Trixy Brown, please"
"Sit down Miss Brown" said the
servant. She went to Mrs. Lisle's room,
where the lady was taking a short rest.
g Miss Trixy Brown wishes to see
you"
"What! Now there will be. Tell
Miss Brown TO step up here, ;" faltering,
said the lady.
The door opens, and Trixy stepped
into the beautifully furnished room.
"Child, sit down here By me. Now
what can l do for you, my dear p
"Can l help you in any way, Mrs
Mrs. Lisle? Mother sent me to ask"
shyiy said Trixy.
why, my little dear, what could you
do?"
"Mother said that people with broken
bones are fretful, that they grow tired
quite easily. She said I might offer to
help you please and.comfort Mr.. Lisle."
"But in what way, my dear ?"
81 can read to him, sing to him, and
can smooth his pillow. Perhaps the
change might be agreeable, uttered the
girl.
''Little one, it shall be as you wish.
But first let me warn you: Yours will,
I fear, be thankless task, for Mr.. L1sle
is quite hard to please. F."
"Ob, may I try? I would dearly
like to help your
The kind old lady drew the pretty girl
to her breast and kissed her brow. I
wonder did Trixy guess that her dear
lady knew all?
The old gentleman is sleeping. Mrs.
Lisle has just left the sick room, and
Trixy is seated by the bedside.
She is watching the soft sunshine as it
filters upon the carpet, sifted through
the tree branches.
She is thinking of Dick, her Dick far
Il