Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-01-02

children. She came home at once,
bringing the two little ones and her
husbands body. The undertaking was
an immense one, and, on reaching New
York, she succumbed to a severe ILL
ness, through which Nina had nursed
her, and with whom she had remained
ever since.
Here Harry asked me when we were
going east.
had just received letter from Nina,
begging me to come home in time tore
ceive New Years calls with her, and re-
Winding me that we had not ali held
the watch together since that night so
memorable to her. [ handed the letter
to Harry, saying: ave will go on Tues
day."
"I will go, too" said he decidedly.
l only needed one look into his eyes
to know his purpose.
Go with U.S." said !.
+" Probably l will, " replied he; " but
I will see you again" and, bidding
mamma goodbye, he was gone.
On Tuesday, as we were starting, a
telegram came from Harry, saying that
he could not leave, but adding that he
certainly would keep watch with us New
| Years Eve.
When we were fairly at home, [ told
Nina, and we both concluded that it
was best not to mention anything about
him to Hildegard, lest something I'M
foreseen should cause a disappoint-
ment.
On New Years Eve we talked of girl
hoods days and doings. It had been
cd hnl
mountain watch. Nina and L were de-
cidedly nervous, no word having come
of Harry's arriving. Hildegard seemed
depressed. About eleven o. clock Adele,
her husband and papa came in to help
us watch; SO at quarter of twelve
o'clock weformed quite party. At ten
minutes of twelve Mr.. Farquhar threw
| back the stained glass doors that closed
off the third room, and seating himself
before the organ, said he would play the
Doxology; we all followed, and, ranging
ourselves In circle, awaited the strik-
ing of the hour. Hildegard alone was
not of the number; she had been stand
ing In one Of the windows, evidently
wrapped in thought.
Amidst q hght-falling snow a sleigh
dashed up to the door, and gentleman
leaped out. The porter had the door
open by the time the visitor reached the
steps. The transit from sleigh to the
parIor had not taken more than min
ute, and Hildegard, surprised out of
action, had only turned and faced the
door. Her whole countenance must
have told how thankful she was to see
Harry again for in an instant he en-
braced her right heartily. Then we all
came forward to extend welcome. Nina
would not let Harry leave the house, but
insisted upon making it his home during
his visit. Then we sang the Doxology,
some minutes after twelve.
AS we finished, Mina's maid tapped at
the door, calling her away moment.
Harry and Hildegard wandered down
the parlor. Nina looked in, saying:
"Our dresses came an hour ago, and
Marie has laid them out for us to see.
Come up stairs"
Hildegard took no notice of the invi-
tation; so we went without interrupting
her conversation, which for the next half
hour formed sort of low obligato ac-
compartment to certain improvisions
upon the organ, wherein Mr.. FarqUhar
gave utterance to memories aroused by
this anniversary of his betrothal.
Once IN Mina's exquisite little bOu-
doir, she and [ rapturously embraced
each other; we did not speak, but we
felt pretty sure that at last all would go
we'll with Hildegard; and it made us
very happy. Then Adele's exela ations
of admiration drew our attention to the
dresses we would wear upon the NOR
row. From this we fell to discussing
the number of calls we hoped to re-
ceive; for we had each sent cards to the
friends we had made since our separa-
ton; and so on until Nina reminded us
that she had ordered little supper laid
and that it was probably waiting at that
moment.
We hurried down stairs to find her
prediction true. When we were seated
at the table she said:
Papa, can't you give us speech 2"
''I think had better defer to Mr..
Fenton, said Mr.. Farquhar, and then
bowling to Harry:
your voice will at least have the
merit of novelty to our party" where
upon Harry arose and said, with pre-
paratory ahem
Ladies and gentlemen" and then
dropping the mimic air, proceeded:
"Dear friends = I am overflow
ing with JOY. J. have this night
satisfactorily concluded an affair
which I undertook unsuccessfully
fifteen years ago to ,night. Since then
have lived In the shadow of the great
grief in which that failure enveIoped me.
Black as the darkness of the night into
which stepped when left my mount
ain watch, was the sorrow bore with
me. Bright as the light of this luxur-
ious, hospitable home, and of your
beanning faces, is the radiant Joy I bear.
Hildegard will be my wife. Congratu-
late me, and I will heartily wish you
each what this assures to me-a happy
New Year!''
On Hildegard's face there was rest
full happiness expressed, which no NOR
tai had ever seen there before. The un-
satisfied expression was gone. And we
united in wishing Harry what [, patient
reader, now wish you--A happy New
Year!
How to Make a Tidy.