Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-03-18

But with Floyd Warren's nature
grave, positive, steady and firm as a
rock bedded in the sea-and hers, an
inharmonious Earring was sure to
come at one time or another.
And it came on one August moon
light night, when Mr.. Warren picked
up an invitation card lying on the
table in the Inglis parlor.
"Of course you'll not go, Ida," he
said.
"What Not go to the moonlight
dance at Fern Dale ?" she answered
quickly. "Why shouldn't [? All the
other girls are going"
cit will be rather promiscuous
crowd"
"But l am not an arlstocrat, you
know" she retorted coolly.
"No, dear, that isn't what | mean.
Butt understand the Judyth sisters,
and the Crawfords, and the Watchleys
are among the invited guests, and, Ida
frankly, I would rather you would
not associate with such people"
A saucy, cold little smile answered
him.
Con that point, as on several 9th
ers, we do not agree"
"But you won't go, Ida? To oblige
me, dearest. / ask it as q personal
favor"
If his manly patience and consider
ate tenderness touched her, she gave
no sign.
"Indeed, I'll not give it up! The mu-
sic, the moonlight, the dancing, the
river-I worship them all. 1t will be
like a living dream; I'd not miss it for
all the world"
He looked gravely at the sweet, de-
faint face, all afush and asked him
SELF After all, was Beth right when she
said men so recklessly marry girls,
knowing so little really of them?
"You must do just as you please,
Ida. But, remember, if you go in the
very face of my disapproval, | shall
construe it into meaning but one
thing"
And his slow, patient speech only
made Ida more willful than ever.
go? OF course I'll go, mammal"
she said, after Warren had gone. eff
Floyd does not like it | can't help it.
[ told you he must take me as am or
else leave me-"
And go she did-the fairest, sweetest
of them all, in her white lawn dress,
SO daintily made by her own deft fin
gers, and she danced to her hearts
content, laughed and sang, while, I'M
der all, she was unspeakably misera-
BILE.
''Half a dozen of us are going ashore
for a fifteen minutes ramble to get
some spring water" Clara Crawford
said, isn't the captain good ma
tured, Ida? We want you to go, too.
Comet
And not pausing to consider the
matter, Ida followed the little group
just rushing over the gangway plank.
''Wait a minute, girls Clara, Isabel
where are your"
For in the somber darkness of the
forest that reached to the rivers edge,
Ida had lost sight OF the forward part
of the party.
cts all right, Ida, don't be in such
a hurry They've taken a cross-cut
Clara knows of, but I'll escort you by
another road | know of. Take my
arm, won't your"
1t was Paul Crawfords voice close
in her ear-Paul Crawford, with whom
she was alone in the dark, lonely
place.
THANK you, I'm going back to the
boat" she said sharply, angrily, Il
don't like to be here "
"Wlth me, you mean," and he
laughed unpleasantly "But l am of
a different opinion. I like both the
place and the company exceedingly
well, and Clara has played the game
into my hands even better than |
dared hope. There they go now, back
to the boat-hardly had time to sam
pie the spring water, have they
At the same instant the whistle
shrieked.
'"There isn't a second to lose. Well
be left!' she cried breathlesslv.
Exactly. We will be left, just as I
intend" and he stopped in front of
Ida, planting himself resolutely in the
narrow path. 'EYou needn't tremble
SO, Ida; we won't stay here long. [
happen to know Of a very pleasant
fanaily who live not a mile from here,
and We'll spend the evening there, and
have the waltz you denied me on the
way up. All's fair in love, you know,
A wild shrek came from Ida's pale
lips, and before her quivering mouth
had closed, a tall, stalwart figure
stepped up beside her and Paul Craw-
ford fell like q log to the ground.
eve haven't a secondto lose; come,
Idap'
And Floyd Warren linked her arm in
his, and hurried her back just in time
to spring abroad.
In retired corner, as far as it was
possible to get from the music and
dancing, Ida sat in her chair, pale, cry
ing, while Mr.. Warren stood beside her,
grave and paletoo.
How came you here?" she asked
presently.
Because you needed a protector
thank God [ camel he said impress
sively.
"You can neverforgive me, [ know"
she sObbed. ~ have been so wild and
willful that l know 1 deserve the re-
ward YOU will beStOW. But FIOyd he