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

ing.
"Well, girls, said Nina, elm going
to leave you." 1t was hard to tell wheth-
er the tones were those of sorrow or glad
ness.
"Why, what do you mean ?" cried
Hildegard and /.
"That hope to have you both watch
the next New Year IN, with me in my
own house on Murray Hill"
This was startling statement. For
an instant we were silenced with aston
ment, then Hlldegard, recovering her
voice, cried with agitation:
"Explainl explain in words, Nina. :"
"You know" said Nina, chow much
I have been with Adele, and how fond
she has been of me and of her. You
know how attentive and kind her father
has been to me, that suppose that of
course it was out of consideration for
her. Well, tonight as we were going out
to the sleighs, he said to me: Come,
you had better ride with me-. His man
ner was tender and affectionate all the
evening, and began to imagine that
he would prove devoted escort for the
rest of the winter, when my antici-
pations were cut short by his proposal.
It was Just at twelve o'clock. Mr.. Far
quhac and / were sitting in the deep
window, and I, to be first, quickly said:
CT wish you happy New Year
DO you - said he, taking my hand.
"Then, if you are really my we'll wlsher,
1 will make you my confidant. I am
not happy when am away from you.
I have remained here this past year for
the happiness of being near you. Now
business will wait no longer, and it is
imperative that return to the city.
Will you go with me p
"Of course, girls, said Yes, and
shall consequently take up my abode in
that narrow, heated street commonly
called Madison Avenue, and ride behind
those same spanking bays we drove to-
night, through Central Park, which is
all very delightful to think of; yet it
breaks my heart to part from this old
home, the dear trees and the old folks,
who are very precious to me. As for
you, girls, you can be with me half of
the time.
Nina had hardly taken breath during
this explanation; the whole thing had
come so unexpectedly that she was
flushed and excited. [ was stunned at
the thought of losing her, and said
nothing. Hildegard, who had not spo-
ken, here uttered, as if in a dream:
I'm glad did it; it is best"
Reused by the tone, both Nina and 1
saw that something troubled her, for two
great pearly tears had fallen on her
cheeks; and we urged her to have no Sc
crets from US.
"TelI us, Hildegard, what is the mat
ter?"
''SK words will do" replied she; d" I
refused Harry Fenton to-nighti" and
more tears followed.
Neither Nina nor [ said any thing; we
didn't know what to say. We were sure
that she loved Harry. Then she said:
" Harry is the best fellow in the world;
but he is a farmer, and will never be
anything else. He said tonight he
never could leave his father. I saw too
much of the practical farm-life at home
to form any dreams of a poetical char
acter about 1t. cannot live and die on
the same plot of ground, like a vege-
table. | must travel; started the
working out of an irresistible desire
when came here, and I must go on.
would not be just to Harry Fenton if
1 should marry MIN; for I could not be
happy as a farmers wife, even though
that farmer was Harry Fenton."
/" Don't worry, darling, said /; ''you
cannot help it. It is drop of Richard
bottoms blood in your veins. Don't be
unhappy, dear, inst help me to congrat-
ulate Nina"
'FAnd your next move onward shall
be to New York, " said Nina.
"Where you may capture captain,
with whom you can sail over the high
SEAS" added I.
Hildegard said nothing, and I, having
the floor, continued:
"Well, lets go to bed for the present;
and when Nina is married and you are
exploring the antipodes, will come to
New York and teach if Nina will let me
live with her."
"Hol hum |" sighed Hildegard,
tumbling into bed; 81 wonder where
We will all be next New Year?"
son Murray HILL" answered Nina.
But that was mistake; it was many
years before we met on Murray Hill at
New Year's-in fact, not till tonight.
Nina was married in March; hildegard
and I we're bridesmaids. Hildegard
went to the city with her, while her sis
ter came from Vermont to stay with me.
In November, Hildegard was married
to rather gay young millionaire, who
had just come into his money, and went
to Europe for wedding tour. The next
New Year eve grandma was not well, SO
I did not visit Nina, and H1ldegard was
still abroad. Harry spent the watch
with me and talked about her-poor fell
low. 1 felt very sorry for him, espec-
tally when he said: IF father had not
sent me- to college [ should have been
better contented to remain upon the
farm, for then [ should have no hopes of
Hildegard. Yet when mother died she
asked my promise never to leave father,
and L gave it. :"
After grandma died went to New
York to teach, and there met young
journalist and married him. We were
not burdened with untold wealth, but
we loved each other dearly and con-
cluded to take the chances about getting
along, which childlIke simplicity we
have never had cause to regret. His
business led him hither and thither, and
In every move [ have accompanied him.