Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-01-28
THE MISTAKE.


1t is SO frightfully dull here" ex.
claimed Miriam Creswick, with her
Diana bow" of mouth stretched in a
most portentious yawn. lis there moth
ing here but crochet work, wild straw
berries and tea parties? 2" Ia
Miriam was tail and dark, with creamy
complexion and eyes thst seemed to
melt and swim Like stars hiding away
IN shady springs. And she wore soft,
sweeping robes that fell around her
In statuesque folds, and moved with
the slow, royal grace of queen, so that
Constance Dale looked up to her with
girlish admiration as the incarnation Of
all that was radiant in womanhood.
But [ thought you,1 came here j TO
realize and recruit after the winters
dissipation, Miriam" said Constance.
So / did, but don't mean s.etually
to stagnate if I can help it."
cr Constance ia 3oeohd Looked puzzled; Miss
"The dear, unsophisticated little
fairyP she cried, gayly. "fhe sewing
circle and portfolio of embroidery
patterns may be enoughffor you, hut il
won't suffice for me. / must have a
hirtation or two to spice the monctony.'"
But | thought, Miriam, that Judge
Dalton's SON" 81 - 80 gyF4
Stuff and nonsense F"@. interrupted
Miriam, with good humored imperious-
ness. "Of course I'm to marry Percival
Dalton some day-or at least so the
elders say, and I've. no doubt he's a very
fine young man." fsstKf. E Eve
"Oh, Miriam, you do not mean that
you have never seen him ?"
Why are you so Mortified at that ?"
asked Hiss Oreswick, half turning, SO
as to fasten spray of rosebuds in her
midnight dark hair. "We aren't engaged,
nor shall we be, probably, until it is as
certained whether or not shall suit my
lord. He's rich and he's handsome, if
report be true, and that's pretty much
all care for"
and when does he return from
Europe?" asked Constance in breathless
interest. s@sg -
In September, I suppose. Come,
Conny, don't you want to walk down to
the post office? I'm so tired of doing
nothing" .aessa s5es aFT
The two girls had Just emerged
from the shady line upon the quiet
country road, when tall young man of
tn fair haired Saxon style of face passed
them, carelessly dofing his cap to Con
stance Dale.
who is that, Comp" whispered Miss
Creswick, turning her stately head to
look after the vanishing figure.
Mr. Edgerton's nephew, Percy
Wylde.7
"The parsons nephew? How hand
some he is? Why didn't you introduce
him?7
shall I call him back?7 asked Miss
Dale, laughing.
Nonsense. Is he villager?"
mo; he is here for a few weeks, en-
joying our fine scenery and delicious
mountain air."
"Go9d." said Miriam, nodding her
head. I'VE can help amuse each other"
Miriam !" cried Constance, with face
that was really shocked; @you would
not firt with him merely for pastime ?"
@To be sure L would! !" laughed Mir
lam. Don't be a fool, Conny-men
are our natural prey. just as we are
theirs"
And she only made fun of poor Con-
stances indignant remonstrances.
Il hope he won't speak to you, that's
all" said Constance.
You're notin love with him yourself,
cara!" laughingly demanded Miriam.
"Of course not~ flashed out Con-
stance, with flaming cheeks; "only do
not like to see any creature, whether
brute Or human, hunted cruelty down"
It won't hurt him." said Miriam dry
Iy.
And, true to her word, she did not
allow twenty-four hours to elapse before
she got acquainted with the parson'
good-looking nephew.
Apparently Mr.. Wylde was quite
ready for firtation-and to speak the
truth it would have been rather difficult
20 avoid falling into Miss Creswick's en-
chantingly spread snares. Picnics,
boating parties and dreamy rambles up
the mountain sides ell conspired to aid
the SIRENS plans, while Constance looked
on grieved and troubled, and sorely
anxious to warn Percy Wylde against
the pitfalls he was so surely nearing.
But what can I say!" sighed poor
little Constance Dale. Miriam is so
beautiful and fascinating, while I am
but country grill"
So the time passed on, until the ripe.
full beauty of the summertide was at |
it's height, and Miss Creswick was pack
ing her trunks to join her aunt at Cape
May.
"Of course, it has been very charming
aere," she said, as she sat on the old |
arm house piazza in the moonlight the