Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-01-16
(From the Philadelphia CALI
MARY'S LOVE ROMANCE,
BY ROSE ALLISON.

BY hOSE AI1ISONs
In the drawing room at Heathcot, in
the gray September twilight, Mary
Meredith and Felix TratfOrd sat en-
gagged in earnest conversation.
& L really cannot see any cause for
your despair, dear Felix. Have I not
told you how dearly I love you? No
power on earth shall ever force me to
break my plighted troth to you. Have
you no confidence in me p
All confidence, Mary; I know you
will be true to me. !"
"Then what is 1t you fear ?"
Everything. You are young and
beautiful, the rich Mr.. Meredith's only
child. while L am only poor clerk in
the house of Meredith Brothers, with
nothing but an Unsullied reputation,
some brains and good right hand to
help me through the world.
so much the better, then, that / am
the daughter of the rich Mr.. Meredith.
Dear Felix, papa esteems you, and mas
implicit confidence in your honor. He
invites you here, and allows our &C
queintance. Why do you annoy your
self about imaginary troubles"
"Your father trusts me, and [ must
be true to him, you and myself. I will
go to him and frankly confess our at
tachment. should feel miserable 9TH
erwise.
g Go now; he is in his study"
Felix caught the girl In his arms and
kissed her rosy lips.
Your confidence inspires me with
hope" he said, and went away on his
mission. Tapping at Mr.. Mered1th's
study door, and receiving permission to
enter, Felix approached the old gentle
man, who gave him his hand, saying:
why, boy, you are an unexpected
visitor. No bad news, I hope ?"
emo, sir; but want to ask of you
gift so precious that I have very little
hope of obtaining it. p"
"Well, well, name it. I am always
glad to favor you if I can. !"
Felix was greatly agitated, but sum-
moned up all his courage and said:
- Mr.. Meredith, L love your daughter.
do not, however, ask you to give her
to me now. Only let me hope that when
prove TO you"
Mr.. Meredith leaned back inshis chair
amazed. Tt had never occurred to him
that this young clerk would dare to lift
his eyes to his daughter.
You are an ungrateful, treacherous
scoundreI!? he cried. F'Out Of compass
SIGN for your friendlessness I admitted
you to my house and my daughters So
ciety, and you, villain that you are, have
taken the opportunity to steal into her
confidence and win her in experienced
heart. BECOME, sir, and never let me see
your face again.
Listen to me one moment, Mr.
Meredith"
"Not one secondr cried the old man,
as he violently brought down his
clenched fist upon the table. Leave
the house instantly or the servants shall
thrust you out" And as if to put his
threat into execution he fercely rang the
bell.
As Felix staggered along the passage,
his heart SO oppressed with contending
emotions that he was scarcely conscious
Of anything, he met Mary. who, alarmed
at the violent ringing of the bell, was
rushing to her fathers study. Felix
wildly threw his arms about her, kiss
ing her again and again. Then he tore
himself away and rushed from the
house.
Mary never knew what occurred at
that terrible interview. Mr.. Meredith
was deaf to all her entreaties and her
lover had disappeared. The poor girl
was stricken with brain fever, and for
weeks her life hung in the balance.
Repentance. came too late to the unhappy
father, for although sought for far and
near Felix could not be found. At
length youth and good constitution
brought back health to the heart broken
girl. But alas the blooming young
Hebe of seventeen summers was no
more. In her place tail, pale girl ap-
scared, but with beauty that even the
most fastidious admired. The golden
brown curls that clustered around her
temples lay in ripping waves upon a
brow as pure as snow, and the soft, lus-
trous hazel eyes wore an expression of
sadness that told of the heart grief that
you'd be hers forever.
Mr.. Meredith travelled with his
daughter through all the most attrac-
tive parts of Europe for year. Then,
at her request, he took her home. Mary
had become a woman, bright, intelli-
gent. glorious woman, and crowds of ad-
roirers worshiped at her feet; but the
image of Felix was still as fresh as ever
In her heart, and the VOWS she had ex-
changed with him were never for mo-
uoent forgotten. Therefore, all offers
of marriage were at once declined.