The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-10-04
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FIRST LOVE.

handsome, black-eyed, curly-headed
Billy-was as rude and noisy, as full OF
fun. and rs ready for all manner OF
mischief as any Of his comrades Bill
ly was remarking to his especial chum,
Sam Hillard:
"Well. Sam, tell you | think your
cousin Kate is the jolliest girl ever
saw. You bet do. continued BLY,
pocketing his chestnuts and swinging
his satchel of books over his shoulder.
as the sound of the .'first belr' summon
ed them TO school, Then, as he walk
ed along by the side of Sam. he con-
tinued: -,
Sam, il tell you secret will you
promise not to tell word OF it to any
bodyP'
ii promise; honor BRIGHT" asserted
Sam.
swell, then, I'll tell you. When I'm
81 am going to marry Katie Everett;
and Billy looked impressively at Sam.
perhaps she won't have you! sug-
gestcd Sam.
Billy was somewhat staggered at
this, but presently he exclaimed, IN a
tone of triumph:
"Well, if she won't I'll go to India
ank Get awful rich and wear a rcd-and-
yellow cap and smoke long. twisted
pipe, as Uncle Edward did when he
was disappointed in love.
In boyish parlance that was
"clincher;" Sam could say no more.
He looked upon Billy as certain to
marry his cousin, or, failing that, 20 to
India and come back with fortune
and a Hindoo servant.
We will suppose the curtain has been
down for ten years; it rises again on
the brilliantly lighted parlor of man
sion in Murray Hill, where are assem-
bled the elite of the great city.
Two young men standing near the
door, toward which one of them keeps
casting expectant glances.
Do you know them, readerv
BILLY and Samp" you ask.
Billy, but not Sam. You might find
find him in a happy Western home. the
mistress of which was once Nellie
Sherwood.
He is here as guest at the home OF
his companion, a college friend.
Suddenly his eye grows bright. and
smile of pleasure crceps over his
handsome face, as a young lady OF IL
enters at the door.
And well he may smile, for a lovelier
creature never crossed that stately
threshold
IAN, there is Miss Everett" ex-
claimed Henry Bell. isn't she beau
fulpn
beautiful, indccd" murmured
S orwood, almost unc0nsciously.
Very soon the was bending low before
Kate Eyevctt-his First love.
''Ah! good evening, Mr.. Sherwood
she said, pleasantly Git is no longer
Billy and Kate, you seq.
Then, with motion of her hand to-
ward the gentlemen by her side, she
added by the way of introducing him:
"Mr Armande Silvretto-Mr. Shor-
wood. Armande, Mr.. Sherwood is one
of my oldest friends; we were play
mates in our childhood.
Mr.. Silvretto bowed with elegant po-
likeness. A tall, fair man with wavy,
blonde hair and eign-looking beard.
William Sherwood returned his bow
as coldly us civility would permit. She
had called him Armande, and she spoke
in tone that made Williams heart
ache. He loved Kate Everett.
''Who is this stylish Armande Sill
vrettoP" he asked of Henry Bell.
"Silvrettop Oh, he is the catch Of
the season And Miss Everett has
caught him."
'She is engaged to himP' questioned
Sherwood,
"Yes; fine thing, too" was the indif-
ferent response.
All! Billy, do you contemplate going
to IndiaP
Walking through a lonely street,
somewhat late in the evening, few
days after the ball, William Sherwood
saw sight that made him grit his
teeth. A woman alone, and unprotect-
ed, slight woman dressed in plain.
dark garments, and closely yelled, was
being closely followed by tall man,
in whom he recognized Armande Silv-
retto.
He, too, followed the yelled lady Qor
a lady she plainly was)-followed her
that she might have protection If it
were needed. And it was needed. He
saw Silvretto overtake the lady, and,
laying his hand rudely on her arm,
accosted her with some violent ques-
ton.
The lady uttered low, sharp cry,
and William, springing upon Silvretto,
dashed him to the ground, crying:
''Rufliian! take that for insulting a
.ladyr'
"Mr. Sherwood! Oh, | am so gladr'
"Kate-Miss Everett he cried, as
tonished.
miss Eyerettr' echoed Silvretto,
who had regained his feet. and now
came forward, covered with confusion.
"Oh! beg-I-I-assure you, it was
all"
"How dare you address mel" cried
Kate, with blazing eyes. 'lf | ever
see your face again you shall be pun
ished as you deserved and, taking
Sherwood's proffered arm, she walked
home under his protection.
On the way she told him how she
Ill family and