Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-01-21
ng his heart out with pain. in alternate

ing his heart out with pain, in alternate
hope and failure, in passionate longing.
and now ali was over. Without anv re-
newed vigor he was still deep in pro-
fessional duties, trying, but vainlY. to
take up the thread of existence as
though Marion had never been known
and dearly loved.
He took up his hat and cane and
went out. His steps led him to Broad
way. The thoroughfare was crowded
and he walked slowly along, his moody
face, with its quietly bitter expression,
in marked contrast to those around him.
Many saw and envied the rich and
successful lawyer. Gould they but
have read that rich mans heart And
so, in the supreme blindness of our
egregious vanity, do we Judge one an
other.
He paused to look at picture which
attracted a number of people. 1t was q
| quaint design in water colors in the
shape of small screen.
The picture showed the sea on q
stormy day, with the floating spars and
masts of a wrecked ship appearing
above the angry waves in the distance.
All the coloring of the picture is CEN
tered in two figures on the shore.
One, the dead body of a drowned
sailor, curls lying on his forehead, his
eyes closed, and his blue jacket torn,
showing the powerful chest in which
the heart would never beat again. The
other, a young girl with face of ex-
treme loneliness, though convulsed with
anguish.
Her dress denoted that she was a
fisher lass, and as she bent over the
body of her lover, one hand over his
heart, the other holding on the little
black hood she wore, the expression of
her eyes was strangely real and touch
ing. The subject was an old One, yet
this little water-color sketch held a
quaint, original power of its own.
Jerome looked at it, puzzled and
fascinated. There was a strange re-
semblance in the man to some one he
had known; nay, more. With wonder
ing eyes he realized that it was perfect
likeness of himself.
He went into the store and bought it,
at the same time obtaining the artists
address, and followed the direction with
feverish haste. The house was small
one, in street which the word "genteel"
describes. On inquiring at the door for
the artist who resided there he vas told
30 knock at the door at the end of the
passage.
He did so, but, receiving no answer
opened the door, and found himself in a
shabby-clean, unoccupied room. An
Other room adjoined it. Jerome ad-
yanced hesitatingly, and stood on the
threshold looking In, rs though his hun
CRY eyes would never be tired gazing at
the picture he saw there.
Marion, in plain, black dress was
sitting at an easel, the brush lying idle
in her lap, and her eyes turned languid-
ly toward the open window, through
which the sunbeams were straying.
Her figure looked very slight, and out
of the pale face her eyes shone with I'M
healthy luster.
She turned her head and saw him
standing in the doorway. Witho ut
start or sound, or any change of feat
ure, except the Tightening of her lips,
she rose to her feet.
Jerome came forward and took the
feverish, unresisting hand in his.
What would he say? In what words
express the suffering of the past weary
months? She was before him now, and
the wild. impassioned torrent he had
imagined bursting from his lips at this
happy moment had completely deserted
him.
When he spoke at last, the words
were commonplace enough, but they
covered the entire ground.
81 never thought to see you again,
Marion; but have found you'll"
"And you really remembered me so
long?" she asked. with a flash of some
thing of the old defiance.
The expression which came into his
eyes answered her, and he took the pict-
ure from it's wrappings.
"This led me to you," he said, with
impressive tenderness, "and it also told
me that you had remembered me so
long"
Marion flushed and turned away; but
she could not deny it. The proof was
there
Jerome drew her to his faithful heart,
which had suffered many bitter throb
for his little love, and kissed her with
solemn, heartfelt earnestness.
Thus peace was declared between
them forever.
A week later they we're married in
Mrs. Chapin's little front room, and
after Canadian tour, Marion settled in
the old home in a new character.