Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-05-28

rustic seat under the large maple in the
sunlit garden, unperceived by her, SO
absorbing was her reverie.
But his pleasant, handsome face sud-
denly clouded over as he stopped to re-
store the glittering ring.
''Is that an engagement ring, Miss
Doris?" he asked, with an abrupt, in
tense earnestness that was fairly start
ling, SO much stronger was his passion
for this girl than he had known HIM
self until that moment.
SIT was meant for that" she STAN
mered, looking up at him in shy sur
prise, and trying hard to keep back the
tears that would gather on her lashes.
stMr. Brennan sent it, asking me to &C.
cept 1t as such, and papa has requested
no, ordered me to do SO"
And then followed a series of eager
questions and hesitating half reluctant
answers, until Ashley had the whole
story, and knew that Mr.. Brennan, the
very richest man in the place, held a
mortgage on their pretty home, and was
determined to take it from them unless
Doris would consent to be his wife, and
that Doris detested him, and would
rather die than marry him, in spite of all
his wealth and his costly diamonds.
What wonder, then, that Ashley
Dane felt an ardent and chivalrous wish
70 rescue her from such dreadful fate
and marry her himself? Or that with
his romantic desire to be loved for him
self alone, he represented to Doris that
he was but poor, struggling author,
who could never hope to win his bride
with gifts of costly Jewels, but only by
the devotion of a loving faithful heart?
Doris listened in surprise, but her
cheeks flushed crimson, and after one
swift glance into his earnest, glowing
face, her eyes dropped away from his
with sweet shyness that told it's own
eloquent story.
So, at the end of their long, sweet
talk that exquisite May day. Doris was
the promised wife of Ashley Dane, and
on her pretty hand, instead of Mr..
Brennan's splendid diamond, cleaned a
little plain gold ring, which her lover
told her ne had chosen days ago in hap
Ply anticipation of this very moment.
Then Doris would have been happy
but for the angry disappointment of her
father.
Ashley Dane was not to be thought
of as his future son-inlaw
''A poor devil of writer" he sneered
contemptuously. ST won't have any
thing to do with him! And Brennan
holding the power to sell the roof over
our heads at any minute! Ungrateful
girl! A pretty pass you will bring your
poor old father to! To throw away the
finest fortune in townl Well, you will
soon be called upon to pay the price of
your folly, can tell you that"
Poor Doris! The little plain gold ring
seemed fated to bring her as much
trouble as the diamond had done; but
she resolved to be true to her brave
young lover, let come what might.
"Only trust me darling, and
all will come out right" said Ashley,
confidently, as they parted at her faith
er's stern command. "But," be went
on, gazing anxiously into the sweet,
tear stained face, "can you remain
faithful to me, Doris, when I am far
away, in spite of your fathers opposi-
ton and the dazzling allurements of
Mr., Brennan's gold?"
eyes, yes, in spite of all the world"
sobbed Doris, clinging to him as though
she could never let hll. 40.
Months passed by, and the poor girl
bore up bravely, though her pretty
cheeks were paler far than they had
been when her lover kissed them last.
But the supreme trial of her constancy
came when Mr.. Brennan declared that
he was about to put his Iong-dreaded
threat into execution, and sell their dear
old home.
"There is way to save it yet, Doris"
he urged temptingly. "You know what
that is. You have only to accept this
beautiful ring" and he held up before
her eyes the glittering solitaire that she
had long ago sent back to him.
Doris gazed at it despairingly. Moved
by pity for her father, she wavered for
an INSTANT in her resolution, then her
eyes fell upon the little golden circlet
shining on heE left hand, and hope and
courage revived with ten fold power.
"l will be true to my love-" she whis
pered passionately to her tempted
heart 81 don't know how Ashley means
to keep his promise, but know that he
will keep it, and he shall never find me
false to mine."
So once more. and for the last time,
she gave decided 'sNo" to her wealthy
sutton, and then patiently waited for the
blow to fall.
Ashley Dane was lounging in his own
luxurious room at home, smoking and
idly looking over the morning papers.
when Doris dainty letter, telling him of
the crisis in her trouble, came TO him.
He read it through, very slowly, twice,
with look of unspeakable tenderness
softening his handsome features.
s'She has stood the test nobly, dear
little girl" he murmured fondly, as he
folded the letter up at last. s'And now
I'll go to her as fast as steam will carry
me, and claim the sweetest, truest little
bride that the sun shines on But first
fancy my future papa's amazenaent when
he discovers that the poor devil of
writer, who is bound to become his SON.
in-law, in spite of him, is about three
times as rich as that old chap whom he
was determined to make poor little Doris
marryr'
And, with ringing, boyish laugh at
the picture his fancy conjured up, he set
about getting ready for his trip, with
face SO radiantly happy that even his