Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-01-14

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of the sleeping boarders.
"Good night, and do not let the
ghost of the past trouble your slum-
bers," I whispered to Frances, as she let
me out at the front door.
"You know have entered into the
charmed age when there is nothing
more to happen" she answered in low
key and do not know why, for we
were not demonstrative women, we
kissed each other as we said good night.
I knew Frances was watching me un-
til turned the corner, which, as did,
I had the uncomfortable accident of
running into q man-not metaphor
cally into his arms, but literally, into
the man himself. I could not have
done so if he had been walking, for, as
I said, the moon was full, so he must
have been lodging amongst the trees
to be run into. Of course he begged
my pardon, and I, little surly at the
fright he gave me, granted it. In do
ing SO I looked at him-"Good heav-
ems p I exclaimed, SIS it you, Miles Mid
dleton, or your ghost?"
SLOW did you recognize me after all
these years?" he asked, half pleased,
half disappointed.
"Come in," I said, being at my own
door. "We cannot stand talking at
midnight in the street."
let myself in by the night-key, and
put up the gas light to it's full power
before turned to welcome poor Miles
back to his native village. For twen-
ty-two years he had been away,
for twenty-five years his name
had been spoken by his friends
with bated breath, as if he
were among the quiet dead, or far
worse, amongst the SHINING. In the
glare of the gas light turned to look at
him. It was the same Miles L had al.
ways known; twenty two years older.
would have never guessed if / had not
known the date of our last meeting !;
twenty-five pounds heavier. which was
an improvement. A guilty conscience
and an impaired digestion had not been
among his evils all these years. His
hair had not lost it's color, though it
grew thinner on the temples and on the
crown of his head, and his eyes had the
same frank, fearless look in them, his
mouth the same winning smile.
ooh, Miles," cried, with both hands
outstretched, "why did you ever go
away and all these years make no sign?"
Because" he answered, taking both
my profered hands, Frances doubted
me-"
"How do you know she did?" I
asked. "You gave her no chance to
speak. People said dreadful things of
you, which you did not deny, but ran
away"
"I did not rum" he said, hotly; II
stayed quite long enough to see that
some friends doubted me; not you, am
sure. Even that I could have borne if
Frances had been true"
"You gave her no chance" main
tanned. "Do you think I have forgot
ten that miserable evening It all
seems as yesterday; the birthday fete,
the color of the sunset clouds, the pink
ribbon Frances wore in knot at her
throat. Poor grill she was white as her
dress when her own father accused you
Of"
"Why do you not go on and say steal
ing?" he said, sharply.
Because we don't use such ugly
words nowadays; embezzling is more
genteel | was indignant and said fool
ish things"
"And Frances said nothing" he inter
rupted.
"Did you expect her to get into a
rage as mere friend would have done?
Besides, you would make no denial.
Her pale, pleading face did not move
you. IF they chose to believe such
things of you they might you said, in
foolish PRIDE
"You forget how young I was, and
how hurt [ was" he answered, softening
under my vituperation.
81 remember Frances was some years
younger and frightened for you as well
as hurt. You gave her no chance to
retrieve hurried first step, or rather
mistaken inaction, for you went at once
away-the best thing you could do,
some sal /, but the most cowardly, I
thought, and left no trace for all these
years."
Il said would not come back until
could bring proof of my innocence"
"That was not necessary to those who
really cared for you. Besides, the man
who took the money confessed he did
so ten years ago. Death forced him to
confess. But this is, I fancy, no news
to you"
81 heard it last week." he said, and
then added, "You have just left herr"
eyes" [ said; 1--WE have been keeping
her birthday"
Il heard her speak to you at the
door. Has she changed?" he asked,
and then looked as if he wished he had
not.
"Most of us do in twenty years."
said evasively. @You seem to have the
secret of keeping young. Frances will
be pleased" added, partly because
myself resented seeing him handsome,
middle aged man, while she had faded
out of all her girlish prettiness.
''Her voice has not changed in the
least" he said. 81 would have known
it anywhere. Do you think she will see
me?''
''She must" said I with decision, and
together we planned their meeting. I
was to send to Frances early in the