Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-07-11

a.
posed to be counting.
Ophela said something of this TO her
sister, and barely three nights later
Edie brought in her cavalier; brown,
stalwart, handsomer than ever. Of
course, he was introduced to Ophelia,
recollected having the honor to meet
ner before, had never forgotten that
pleasure, hoped Ophelia had remem-
bered him, and begged her to count him
among her friends.
IS If only for Edith's sake, he smiled,
" seeing that through her I shall claim
little relationship to you"
Ophelia looked at him in sharp sur
prise, and then glanced at Edie, who
blushed and laughed, aud bit her lips.
and she said nothing, but thought:
"And so they are engaged, Heaven
grant he may be true TO her!"
That evening she went into the par
lor, where Eide was sitting il the dusk,
and sat down by her side. They talked
awhile as sisters do; by-and-by Ophelia
whispered: "Are you engaged to Mr..
Lester?"
Edith shyly answered: eyes"
Why didn't you tell me so the other
day, when I accused him of flirting with
you ?" demanded her sister,
"Oh, because" laughed Edie, "we
meant TO keep it secret until he comes =
/ mean-that is-for long time vet;
but as Harry has told you, l suppose it
is just as we'll; only, you must not tell
any one else. And oh, Opheha, dear,
if you knew him as do, you would not
think him anything but what is noble
and good"
CT begin to believe you," Ophelia
answered, with a smile.
But she sighed the next moment,
thinking sadly of one whom she believed
true and noble, and wondering if Harry
Lester would prove more faithful to her
sister than lie had proven to herself
years before.
As the summer days went by, and she
saw more of Harry, who came quite fire.
quently now, she grew to value him at
his true worth, not as the world saw him,
and she believed that he was true and
good. He was no more of a hirt than
was her careless-hearted, impulsive sis
ter; if the charm of his presence made
him fascinating to women he could no
more help it than he could help his
handsome face, graceful figure, and
abundance of wherewithal to obtain
many of the good things of life, which
served to render him an attraction for
old and young alike. As Ophelia came
to know him well she liked him as she
liked but few men, and she began TO be
anxious for his happiness instead of her
sisters; for she doubted If Edie loved
him as girl should love betrothed
husband. She seldom spoke of Harry
unless Ophelia herself first referred to
him, and never with that innocent, girl
lsh embarrassment that would have
been so natural had she loved the young
man. So she feared that Harry was not
loved as he deserved to be.
1t was only vague suspicion, but 1t
haunted her continually, and troubled
her ten times more than any real, sub
stantial trial. What if Eide had been
dazzled by his wealth, and was either
proud Of having rich man at her feet,
or else intended to marry him for his
money alone! She worked herself into
perfect fever over the thought, one
day, and her sympathy was all tor poor
Harry, who, resisting the many snares
laid for his benefit, had at last fallen
victim to the charms Of a girl who,
naturally pure-hearted and above the
level Of matrimonial schemerS in general,
was blinded and led away by the temp
tation which always before had been
something beyond the pale Of her actual
experience, and was, through force of
circumstances rather than nature, a
greater deceiver even than any of the
rest.
That very night she happened to come
quietly into the room, and found Edith
bending over a photograph which she
pressed to her lips and caressed so
tenderly that Ophelia thought in pleased
astonishment.
'f.She is dreaming over Harry's pic
tJ1re; she does love him, them
So noiseless had she entered that
Edith had not heard her, and with
miscellaneous thought to tease her sister
she crossed the room, and leaning over
Edith, cried gayly:
Caught, my dear!"
The next moment look Of bitter in
dignation came into her face, and she
drew away from her sister, saying in
tones of stern reproach:
edith, I couldn't have believed this
ofyou!"
For it was not Harry Testers picture
that Edith held, but different face;
young, and frank and manly, but not
Harry's.
FFYou are untrue to your lover, cried
Ophella, bitterly, as her sister sank help
lessly on the ground, with her head bur-
led on her knees, and shook with emo
ton. ''You are cherishing the picture
of another, while he is wasting the love
Of his heart upon you, you false, wicked
girl"
Feeling her composure giving way,
Ophelia turned and left the room. Five
minutes later, Edie managed to get up
from her undigniied position, sighed
deeply as she dried her eyes, and went
to the desk which they shared between
them for writing materials. But pres
emily she was shaking again, and the
little pink note, when it was written at
last, had in truth, rather zigzag ap-
pearance, taken all in all, though il evil
IDENTIFY answered as we'll as a more official
looking document; for when Miss
Ophelia Lawrence was enjoying her
breakfast the next morning in solitary