Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-09

tongue under her onslaughts.
Then he tried to propose in writing,
and for week of evenings he wrote
steadily with no more satisfactory result
than q note to Mrs. WallersOn, in which
he intended to inclose his proposal.
Chance finally came in play to his aid.
Miss Nell, as one Of trio of girls, who
had devised surprise party for re-
Gently married friend, wrote to the
major about the project and begged that
ance among their mutual acquaintance
among gentlemen. AS the major read
her note brilliant thought occurred to
him. While talking business Miss Nell
would certainly not endeavor to tease
him; his bashfulness never troubled him
while talking with ladies on any subject
requiring common sense, opinion and
executive ability; he should therefore be
able to feel at ease with Miss Nell, and
while In that unusual condition he would
make a confidant of her and ask her adj
vice and assistance. He would try to
talk to her as if she were man; it might
be rash experiment, but he felt equal
to almost any degree OF rashness when
he thought of how many times before he
had resolved and failed.
SO the major went to the Wallerson
home on the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell, with a stouter hea1t
than he had felt, outside of business
hours, since the war ended. He ar
ranged with the young lady to bring all
his male friends into the surprise party,
and she, rather confused by her new
Of I1h 1aIo o0fa
ELUSIVE In thanks, and being only
twenty-three years of age and no older
than her years signifed, was complete
II astounded by the majors GOODNESS.
She could not help betraying her
curiosity; she looked at the major in
quiringly, she dropped into reyeries, and
she said to her mother, who came to the
door of the parlor a moment about
some affair strictly of q family nature,
that Mr.. Clinton was entirely different
to what she had imagined him to be.
But the major did not know all this,
and after the business Of the evening
ended he began to feel the old familiar
cold sweat that had been his torment in
the swamps of the Cblckahominy fifteen
years before. Conversation had dropped
to the dead level of the National
Academy, the last new novel, and
Browns last volume of poems, all of
which were very bad. Miss Nell looked
pretty and sentimental until
the major half wished she would be her
natural self, for he had at last reused
himself to the combatiye state, and he
to talk with her In the most seri-
Gus manner about her sister. At last
he made a desperate effort and said:
Miss WaQerson, called this even
ing only on business, but [ have for q
long time wanted TO say something to
say TO you about matter"
Excuse me just for an instant, ma
ior, :" interrupted Miss Nell, g the gas is
kissing dreadfully. Won't you be good
enough to see which burner it is; I'm
Just too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say"
The major FASTENED to the rescue. He
heard Kissing noise, as Of the escape of
too much gas; he could not be sure
which Of the six burners was at fault, so
be turned down one after another until
the noise stopped and the parlor was al
most dark.
You are very kind, murmureG Miss
Nell as the major resumed his seat near
her, " the blowing of gas is dreadfully
to the ear. By the way, you
were saying that
The major resisted temptation to
say, :" Oh, nothing of any consequence,
and said:
& have been long the most reverent
adorer of certain young lady who -
Oh, MAORI" exclaimed Miss Nell;
6 the idea of you being in love. Did
you -
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson," SAID
the major hastily, "but no one is com
petent to pass an opinion on my con-
dition Of mind but Myself [ fully
know my own feelings. and merely wish
an opportunity to explain them in such
a manner as may be most respectful"
81 beg your pardon, major" said Miss
Nell, now entirely on her guard.
:" Please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity"
The majors heart gave a mighty
bound; evidently this mischievous girl
something and was willing to
herself.
81 have long been worsbipping a
lady whom / would have been glad to
make my wife," continued the major,
"if I had not feared that my love and
what else [ had to offer her would not
compensate for what she would be
obliged to give up"
"Your thoughtfulness does you hon
or, major" said Miss Nell, in the kind
est way in the world.
I" Thank you-Ghank you," said the
major, hastily. perhaps, thea you
will understand why speak with more
than my customary freedom. Miss
Wallerson, I was trained in my youth
full days to such unquestioning rever-
ence for woman as woman that [ feel
almost like thief when I think Of ask
ing any woman for her hand and
heart.
"Again, major, I must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do you hon
or, said Miss Nell, as demurely as if
she had never leased any one in her life.
''Thank you-thank you," said the
major again. "I would Like first to ex-
plain myself, If I may trouble you for q
moment. [ am, I believe, an honorable