Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-30

John Dak1D ShOulQ n0VeTSuII0r CnrOugn
wounded pride at her rejection, if |
could prevent 1t.
How kind and considerable he was to
me through all the happy weeks OF that
spring and summer! | had told him,
that first evening of Caryl's new occu-
patton, and fancied a frown knitted
itself into his shaggy brows that never
wholly went away. But he made no
comment then. Afterwards, when he
brought my letters from the Office, he
always recognized Caryl's dainty
hand writing, and was sure to ask me
how she was getting along He would
ask the question indifferently, but I
noticed that his face was turned from
me when | answered, and sometimes
he would walk abruptly away when /
related how happy she was, and what
a gay life she was leading.
1t was mid summer before Caryl
came to see me. | had never told her
of John Dakin; and | think she must
have been surprised, at least, when
she came up through the flower, Dor.
ders and saw him sitting on the piazza.
The afternoon had been very warm,
and when be came in from q long
drive among his patients, he sat down
in the honeysuckle shade to rest.
Mrs. Fields asked me to carry him out
g. glass of iced milk, and / had just
handed it to him from the tray, and
stopped q minute to pull a bunch of
purple blossoms, when Caryl came in
sight. / knew that the tall, handsome
gentleman with her was Laurie Ern-
stein, and tried to be only coolly civil
to him. But he had a wonderful way
of making one forget preiudices, and
so jovial and agreeable, that I could
hardly wonder that Caryl fancied him.
John Dakin did not hesitate, though,
to SHOW his disapprova1 Of her COM
pany, and only waited to touch her
hand In greeting, before he went down
the walk to the barn, saddled his
horse, and galloped out of sight.
"Cool, wasn't it ?" Caryl asked, with
blush. "Sorry to spoil q tete-a-teto,
Janey, if he was making love to you.
1t looked like it, must say"
I wanted to box the child's ears for
limiting such a thing of John Dakln,
but there sat Laurie Ernstein, smiling
down at her with q sentimental air of
devotion, and [ could not say q word.
After that Caryl and Laurie came
often, but they never encountered the
doctor again If he saw them coming,
he Immediately disappeared, to be seen
no more that night.
Caryl was in high spirits in those
days, and | am sure she must have
spent the whole of her earnings in rib
bons, and flowers, and deckings, for
the sake of the hattering compliments
could say nothing to influence her
could only look on in helplessness, and
fear for the future of my darling.
| did say something at last, though;
and when [ had said it, the tears rolling
over my cheeks as urged her to think
of the course she was pursuing-how
she could never hope to be the wife of
man of Laurie Ernstein's social
prejudices, and of the sorrows that
would surely follow-her answer was
to draw from her bosom q mysterious
little packet, and flash before my eyes
dazzling ring, which she slipped
triumphantly on her slender finger,
and laughingly bade me say another
word if | dared.
/ stared at her in establishment.
"Carlyl, you do not mean to tell me"
/ began.
"No, / did not mean to tell you"
she laughed mockinglv back, "only you
would persist in knowing: That is
Laurie's ring, andI have promised to
marry hinl-sometime"
"Why don't you wear it, then, in
stead of carrying it about in that
ridiculous fashion? ?" retorted, thor
oughly angry with the girl for once.
Because it's q secret yet; no one
knows, and you must never, never
tell until | give you leave. promised
on my honor would keep it, and you
know can't break my word. It's all
right, though, Janey. Don't look at
me SO; it's only because of a little mis-
understanding with his friends, and
Laurie will soon set it right"
went to John Dakin that night with
my trouble.
'You told me once that you knew
reasons why Laurie Ernstein was not
to be trusted" said; "will you tell
me what they are? Something must
be done"
He looked at me hopelessly.
Nothing can be DONE" he said, and
| hardly knew his voice, it was so
broken. "When you attempt to med
die in such matters, you only hurry
them on to crisis. Better leave af-
fairs to adjust themselves than to risk
any rash, unprecedented action.
Your sister is irnpulsive and willful,
and opposition could only work her
harm. Let us hope that she may ex-
ert an infuencefor good over Laurie. %
I was not much comforted by the
doctors words, but what could I do
Caryl had never been wont to follow
my dictates, even in the most common
place matters. 1t was quite unlikely
that she would listen to me now. with
such man as Laurie Ernstein to in
fiuence her course.
eyes, must let Caryl go her own
way" said, sadly, thinking his advice
the best that could be given under the
circums tances. "And, as you say,
Laurie may prove more a man for her
sake, if he really loves her."
After that there was change in the
doctor He seemed older in looks and