Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-09-03

ct should think" severely, 1t would
be quite enough"
EnoughP" airily That's it! it's
too much! You know an overdose of
poison occasionally counteracts the
effects of lesser quantity, and think,
with smile charmingly confidential,
it is something the same way with
gossip-don't your"
It was Miss Murphy's turn to gasp.
Such grill But then one never could
understand Jessica Ray.
81 hope you don't infer she
began frigidly, but her hostess stopped
her with wave of her Vatican fan and
a gay dissenting little laugh.
81 don't [ wouldn't for the
world. Have you never expert
enced the comfortable sense of import
ance resulting from candid avowal of
disapproval? No? All, you do not
know all you have missed. The latter
is a most invigorating stimulus to con-
ceit. Mediocrity alone, you know, is
secure from social savagery."
Miss Murphy thought it was time to
go. With the cessation of conversation
concerning personal affairs her interest
died natural death. She was averse
to wading in foreign waters. The in
odorous pool scummed over with village
scandal sufficed her. She feared aught
else. Truly with cause. Had she dipped
in clearer if colder currents her
tender feet she would either have lots
her depth or been attacked with ago
nizing mental rheumatism. And SO, like
many very good people, she wisely stood
on the bank.
"Good-by, my DEAR" with a bewil-
dered shake of the tinseled bonnet. 81
am so sorry had to tell you. Life is
full of unpleasant duties. I never like
to interfere in other peoples affairs.
Charity I always say; charity and
silence II there is anything l particu-
larly detest it is tale-bearing. Well. as
I said, I must be going. Good-by, my
dear. I'm so glad you don't mind"
"Good-by," cordially.
eve all thought" pausing at the door
for a parting thrust, that it was to be
not only a marriage de CONVEYANCE, but
genuine love affair on both Sides"
"Indeed!" said Jessica, brightly arch
ing her pretty brows.
And then at last the door closed on
her visitors broad, black-silk back. The
blitheness born of bravado died out of
little Miss Rays face. She went slowly
back to the rose-ribboned rocker and
sat down therein for good, heartsick,
contented, mortified, miserable cry
When she had been very, very young
and charming, and Jack Sutherland an
loxr o1.7 1o1 Of fofh ho1
planned marriage in the future. The
planning stood, by the way, upon an
agreeable substantial basis, looking at
the affair from financial point of view.
Soon after Jacks father had died and
Jack had gone to live with his mothers
relatives in England. He carried with
him memory of pair of sweet eyes,
for all the. world like big, blue, dew-wet
forget-me-nots, for wee Jessica had
parted from her playmate with 3 partic-
ular tender and protesting farewell.
Twelve years passed. Neither chafed-
as in novehstic traditions bound
against the paternal decision of their
childhood. No fair English maiden
displaced his first little love in Jacks
loyal heart. As for Jessica, she had
was coming across the sea to claim her.
When she anticipated that coming be-
fore her minds eye forth pranced a
snowy charger bearing plumed knight.
One day, just two weeks ago 1t was,
she went down to the drawing-room in
response to the servants announce
ment. A gentleman standing in the
window turned at her entrance. He
came swiftly forward, both hands ex-
tended, his face Frightening with gay
admiration. =
SIT is-it is-ittle Jessical"
She knew him then. Without
curveted no splendid steed. By his
side swung no jeweled scabbard.
Around his neck was slung no mandolin.
From his shoulder fell no cloak of ruby
velvet. Not stalwart-statured was he,
nor raven-haired, nor flashing eyed.
Not the grand creation of her girlhood's
sweet foolish dreams in truth, rather,
his rivals would have said, very or
binary young man. But he had come
Jessica's heart gave a great throb. A
true woman though, ergo, an arch-hyp-
ocrite, she put her hand in his with an
air of cool surprise, touch Of we'll
bred reproof in her greeting.
"And you are-Mr. Sutherland p
Neither had in any way suggested the
odd relation in which they tacitly
stood to each other. Both felt the
chain that bound them, for all it's mass
i've golden links very frail and brittle
one in the passionate strength of youth
full impulse. Neither would be slow to
fling it off if the bandage proved OPP
pressive. However, it did not. The
childish, ignorant, romantic affection
which had been smoldering in their
hearts since the sorrowful parting Of
the playmates, at a word, touch, a look
blazed up into pure, and strong, and
steady flame. Of his courtship Jack
Sutherland made short work. Putting
aside the understanding between their
fathers like the man he was, he wooed
her for her own sweet sake. Just two
nights ago he had told ner in his quiet
direct fashion how dearly he loved her.
And Jessica-weH last evening had
come the sapphire ring that-only last