Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-10-03

sweet voice world sound through the
house. II he consulted his labored notes
upon some especially favored historical
or poetical work, his equaDimity would
be disturbed by keen aud pertinent i'm
terpolations that his own wit had never
suggested. If he attempted any remon-
STRANGE, she would blunt his censure
with a pun and defy rebuke by an in
genious repartee. She would affect
scientific themes that she might discon-
cert him by some problem too difficult
for his calculation; she dared his opin
ions and challenged his sentiments; she
wore the colors, the flowers, the gems
she knew he most disliked; and she was
indeed the plague of his life. sa
"Why do you always wear the topaz,
Miss Evelyn" he asked her later that
day.
He had glancedup with q ready frown
at the exquisite shape and charming
brunette face, perceiving only the yell
low gem he whimsically abominated,
glittering In her cold black hair and
amid the white laces on her bosom.
GAS an amulet" she replied quickly,
merrily and meaningly, sit is pre-
sentative against poison, you know"
The speech was not quite civil; the
laughing glance of the big black eyes
was saucy and significant; but her man
ner was the perfection of innocent play
illness.
Fred's frowning face crimsoned.
"What monster of iniquity would
wish to harm so gentle and gracious
lady?" he retorted, with ungallant
irony.
She regarded him for a moment with
curiously intent and questioning look,
before which his countenance suddenly
changed; suddenly he seemed defensive
rather than aggre> sive, as one who feared
his own weakness rather than the strength
of the enemy.
Perhaps she discerned something in
his uneasiness that she willfully declined
to understand; perhaps she compre-
hended pain that thrilled her more
than she cared to acknowledge, for she,
too, changed. .... .........
fMr. Ives, she began at length, with
singular new splendor in her sweet
smile and a singular new sweetness in
her voice, "any sarcasm is absurd be-
tween you and me. The candid
truth is so much better always, even if
it be disagreeable. lam perfectly aware
that you detest me; that everything | do
dlspleases or annoys you. You have
given me abundant proof of your dislike,
and never yet vouchsafed me kindness
nor a courtesy. 1t is you who are I'M
gentle, you who are ungracious. Why
you are SO l may not inquire, but shall
lmplore our dear Carrie to send me
away, and trust that you may never again
be afflicted with the presence of so luck
less q person as myself" =.
And while he marveled if this new
amiability, this charming combination
of humility and dignity, were sincere or
suare, she had gone, leaving him
somewhat bewildered and wholly I'M
comfortable. g.
81 have mind to try the subiugated
black horse myself" he thought pres
entity, as he noted a CLEAN of a white
dress and an amber scarf among the trees
up the long shady road.
But the black horse had not been sub
jugated for Fred's pleasure evidently.
The mettle that had been obedient to
the slightest command of one dainty,
daring girl, had not been tanned for his
CO troll.
Jessie, pausing by the pleasant way
side, was suddenly startled by the un-
steady tramp of hoofs, and looked up to
behold the unmanageable animal gallop-
ing toward her. The next instant he
tossed his vicious head aloft and reared
on his launches; simultaneously, the
saddle gIrth snapped asunder, and the
unfortunate rider was precipitated upon
the level sward almost at her very feet.
sob Fred, are you hurt?" she in
quired in tones of tenderest concern as
she knelt down beside him and slipped
her pretty arm beneath his fallen head.
Yes, he answered, gazing straight
up into her anxious eyes. Sc / am hurt
to death for love of the girl who hates
me, who fancies that l have disliked
her." II
1t was an odd making, doubtless;
but there and then, holding fast the lit
tie willful hand, the lover rehearsed the
ancient and delectable story.
"Of course [ will marry you, Fred
she assured h1m sweetly. 81 always
knew I was doomed to be the plague of
your life"