Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-03-26

whispered:
''Just minute, dear!"
The others had stroIled into Grace's
studio to examine her latest painting,
copy of "The First Appeal"
Edward Shaker and Belle Wilton
viewed this work of art with peculiar ap-
probation. Their "First Appeal had
already been taken-in fact, they were
engaged.
Ida, still detained by Jerome in the
parlor, was playing the old song again;
when she had finished, he said:
''Miss Ida, it has been long while
since last we sang that song; should you.
be happy if the old days could come
back again?"
She said nothing, but kept on looking
through music book for another song
that she thought might please him.
"I have just returned from Brazil,
Jerome said. ''Three whole years in
Brazil-how long that time was to me
Was it SO to your" She did not reply,
and he asked. ''Have you no answer,
Ida?"
"No," she replied, 81 have none."
Sand you are not glad to"
81 was but seventeen, mere child,
when you said you loved me. did not
wish to be tied down to any one, and, IS
trip, would not encourage you"
''Ida, dear, will you not encourage
me now?"
ST am not talking of the present, and
you must thoroughly understand the
past. You never would listen to reason
before; perhaps you will hear it now"
''Willingly, only too willingly, will I
hear all; tell me anything that can recti.
fly the past, or take me as am and for
get all the rest p
81 never breathed a word of this to
anyone, but can, will tell you all !!
Listen! You started on your Western
trip, and while you were gone became
acquainted with Ned Heed. Was there
any harm in that 2"
" None, Ida, none"
Then why were you so angry when
you found him visiting me on your re-
turn %
Because" answered Jerome, hum
bly,, 81 was Enthusiastically jealous of
you, Ida; and had [ not right to be?"
=" No; not the slightest shadow of
right"
8: But everything is satisfactorily ex-
planned now"
mo, Jerome, not yet; I have not
finished"
g Finish, then, dear. and return IA
vorable answer to my suit.
"My answer will be, when I have
ended, just what it was three years ago,
when you rushed off so rashly to Brazil
because your imagination led you to be-
lleve | was encouraging the attentions
OF Mr.. Heed. And now can you ask me
again if those three years were long
ones tome? Just think of it. All that
time was forced-positively forced
to sing those horrid love songs giving
the music-book she held aD angry little
slap to that fellow whom could hardly
tolerate, but whom my mother thought
a good match for me Now you know
all-positively all. Judge for yourself
whether I"
But just at this juncture the sound of
voices broke upon them, and Ida led the
way to the piano. In few seconds
their friends joined them, and they all
united in the chorus of an old, familiar
song, Ida and Jerome singing the solo
part.
Soon after the visitors took their de-
parture, and although Grace said:
''How quiet the house seems without
them," Ida was happy, evidently en-
joying some deep secret of her own.
That same night, long after the bouse
was quiet, as Ida was still sitting on the
little red sofa in the parlor, thinking and
building air castles, her attention was
suddenly attracted by something glisten-
ing IN the card basket on the center Ia
BILE.
What could it be?
She arose and went to the table.
There in the card basket lay tiny dia-
mond ring! How familiar it looked, and
it just fitted her third finger. She mi
nutely examined it. Yes, it was the
same ring Jerome had given her before
his trip to the West-the same ring that
had SO mysteriously disappeared when
he departed for Brazil. Ida removed it
from her finger and restored it to he
| card basket. But what was that, also
in the basket? A little note! She read
it. It's contents told how, when Jerome
babe her farewell the Jewel had acct
dentally slipped into his hand, and that
now, as all was well again between them,
he had restored her engagement ring to
her.
And SO it happened that in few days
it become known to all the young PEG
pie IN the vicinity that Ida Stanton and
jerome Wilton, and Edward Saker and
Miss Wilton were engaged; also that in
a month or two there would be double
wedding In the little parlor with the red
sofa.
In due time the bells rang out merrily
in the village of Milford, carriages
rolled up to Mr.. Vanderpool's door, and
the cosy parlor was decorated for the
nuptials.
The servants had just put on the
finishing touches and the double bridal
party was ready.
Ida, in her white satin and orange
blossoms, and Jerome led the way and
close behind them came Belle and Ed
ward; then followed Grace and Walter
Hastings with the other bridesmaids
and groomsmen.
Who ever saw two such charming
brides before or two such attractive
/