Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-04-16


ted and chafed against the unhasting
occurrences of time, and wore herself out
with restless longing for Headley COM
ing.
On the Saturday the Lathams took
part in large nutting party, and it was
a general comment that no. one stood the
heat so we'll, or worked with such IN
tagging perseverance, as Beatrice. AS
the shadows heightened, one couple
stole off for stroll, and Beatrice, turn
ing round to toss a bunch of nuts into
the basket held by Connie, remarked,
with smile:
SET suppose I must not call those two
to task for idleness, considering how
soon shall stand In need OF indulgence
myself. Only think, Con, within
four-and-t twenty hours Rob will prob
ably be here!''
One of the children nutting near her,
looked up at this and said brightly:
"Do you know, Miss Latham, Dicks
coming sooner than that? Mother had a
telegram this morning to say that he
would be here tonight.
Beatrice gave little excited cry, Dick
was Capt. Erskine, and there was no
reason why Headley should be later
than his friend.
ssAh!" she exclaimed, FtRob means to
surprise me. Good-by, all of you'll
am off home. Just think If he should
come and find me out!"
The others laughed at her frank I'M
petuosity, but she was quite Indifferent
| 60 their merriment, and with aqulck nod
and wave of the hand sped away home.
The house was quiet and empty, and
she fdgeted about from room to room
in state of fnverish uspense. Should
she go and change her dress? No, per-
haps she might not have time; besides,
she had none that suited her better than
the simple sateen she was wearing. Then
her anxiety to be found pleasing in her
lovers sight brought her to a stand
still before the mirror, and she scrutin-
lied herself carefully and critically.
Would he think her looking older or
palmer, she wondered. She turned
away at last in doubt, for it was diff
cult to Judge of herself. She need not
have feared, for she never looked pref
tier or sweeter than now, when happy
expectation was breathing a bright
flush over her cheeks, and her eyes were
shining with light kindled by the pur
est love and faith.
Presently, as she could not sit idle,
she called for jug of water and some
vases, and began arranging the bunch
of ferns and wild flowers she had gath
cred In the woods. First the loveliest
and most fragrant were chosen out and
tenderly made into little bouquet for
Headley, and she had not done much
more than this when the sound of the
visitors bell fell upon her listening ears.
A moment later the servant announced :
Captain" (Beatrice's breath came
and went quickly, and she caught hold
of a chair to prevent herself from DART
ing forwarG) ''Erskine."
"You, KIchard!' stammered Beatrice,
all the tension of her frame slackening !;
ST thought I thought am very glad
to see you I [ hope you are quite
we'll.
Capt. Erskine had never been talk
alive or ready.w1tted man, and now he
found himself In predicament worse
than any he had encountered In the At
CHAN campaign. Beatrice's ill-concealed
disappointment and feeble attempt at a
cordial reception might have struck him
vious knowledge of something which
rendered it intensely pathetic.
81 am quite well, thank you, he said
awkwardly. SIS Mrs. Latham at home?
I should like to see her."
'sShe is in the wood-so is everybody
except me. Please sit down and tell me
all the news. Is Capt. Headley well?'
''Yes," said Erskine; and then there
was pause, during which Beatrice be.
came aware that something was wrong.
'You are telling me the truth?" she
said uneasily, and Erskine again said,
eyes, yes"
''Then what is it?" asked Beatrice.
81 would rather tell Mrs. Latham, -
said Erskine
SIS it anything about Roberto" de-
manded Beatrice, quickly.
s'Yes, but cannot speak to you about
it. It is bad news-painful news"
SIN what way? Why are you silent,
Richard? Do you mean that it is discredit-
able to Robert?"
Erskine bowed his head, and the poor
girl, in mingled indignation and dis
tress, entreated him to keep nothing
| from her.
eff there is harm to be told of Rob,
would rather you should tell me-" she
said touohingly unsuspicious of what
the harm might be; ST can forgive him
anything, but I could not bear the
others to know"
''You do not understood, Beatrice, %
said the poor Captain.
GLOW can I while you won't speak
out?" exclaimed the girl restlessly.
"When did you hear last from Head
ley?" asked Erskine, to gain time.
''From Gibraltar. .-
''And there was nothing in the letter
to make you suspect anything wrong?"
"No"
'sThe scoundrel!" calculated Erskine,
under his breath; but Beatrice heard it,
and quick as thought started to her feet
and turned upon him.
CHOW dare you! All, for pity sake don't
look at me like that! You are torturing
me-put me out of my misery-tel me
the worst at once!'
The wild alarm in her face was too
much for Erskine, and he blurted out