Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-08-19
AMY'S LOVER.
BY E. H.

hICuHOnd Villas was Un0 name OF
two pretty, semi-detached houses
standing slightly back from the road
a little way out of London.
Miss Vulture, a thorough specimen
OF q spiteful old maid, lived in one,
and next door resided Mrs. Atwood
and family, consisting os two noisy
boys Of about fifteen and sixteen, and
two charming girls, both under twenty
years of age.
These two girls, Amy and Kate,
were Miss Vulture's particular abomi-
nation, and they knew it, and in re-
turn they did not bear her any good
will. She was always stationed at her
parlOr window when they went out,
and knowing her eagle eye to DC upon
them, they would thrust their hands
into their pretty little tailor-made
5acket-pockets and trip along in a par
tlcularly saucy and aggravating man
ner.
Then they would play cricket and
rOmp with their brothers in the back
garden, singing and even whistling at
the tops of their voices. On all occa-
sions they did their best to shock Miss
Vulture-and succeeded.
This caused Miss Vulture to watch
and pry all the more.
One morning in the early part of No
vember, as Miss Vulture was sitting at
her window knitting and quizzing her
neighbOrs, Amy came swiftly out of
the house next door. She knew Miss
Vulture was watching her, for she
perched her hat coquettishly on one
side and drew her handkerchief out of
her ulster pocket with an elaborate
flourish, bat as she did so little pink
note pulled out with it and futtered
down on the pavement.
She passed on, unconscious of her
loss.
With a little smothered cry of glee
Mss Vulture sprang to her feet,
breathlessly watched her enemy out of
sight, then flew downstairs and sent
Bridget, her little maid, out to pick up
the note.
The girl brought it in and, grinning
broadly handed it to her mistress,
who, with fingers trembling from ex-
element, unfolded it and read these
words, written in bold, masculine
hand, with many fourishes:
Ny DARLING AMY must see you to-
night somehow. will be at the bottom of
to slip out there, but pray be careful, my
dearest. Your doting lover, C.E.
Miss Vulture had much ado to keen
from executing a wild dance of 10y
then and there.
Caught at last, Miss Amyp' she
cried exultingly. Then, enioining
Bridget to strict silence, she retired to
her bedroom, probably to give vent
n ho14 col Id
Half-past eight! Miss Vulture, who
had passed a restless, unsettled even
ing, wrapped her waterproof cloak
around her spare shoulders, cautious
~ opened the lower door, and crept
into her back garden. All was still,
and the night was calm and bright,
down the sanded paths, and, arriving
at the end, paused breathless.
Carefully concealing herself beneath
a tall laurel bush, she peered over the
wall. There, sitting on the low garden
seat, was the figure of a man, and at
his side, with her head resting on his
shoulder, she saw Amy. She was
talking in low, subdued tones, almost
whispers, but though the old maid
craned her neck far over the wall, she
could not catch a word that was said.
''Horrid artful little wretch! I
knew that girl was no good!" thought
the spinster. "Now is the time to
actl'
Then, drawing back silently, she
FASTENED into the house.
Her spectacles fell from her nose III
her hurry, and were trodden under her
feet, but, hardly waiting to bewail
their loss, she sped through her own
house, flew up the next doorsteps, and
knocked sharply.
4 servant opened the door, and, not
even waiting to be announced, she
passed the astonished girl and made
her way into Mrs. Atwood's sitting
room.
That lady was alone. She rose and
held out her hand.
Good evening, Miss Vulture," she
said pleasantly.
Madame" said the spinster in
tragic tone, your daughter has de-
ceived your"
~ don't understand you" said Mrs.