Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-02-04
Adelaide did not feel pleased at this.

everybody knows, that he is
always late. And, besides,
what can it signify to me? have quite
made up my mind now; and I shall not
say yesp .a%
No one imagined for amoment that
Mr.. Stapleton had ever given D thought
to Miss Berry; therefore Mrs. Leigh
was not careful that he should have an
opportunity of conversing with her as
she otherwise would have been. And
Mr.. Stapleton did. not feel inclined to
make his opportunity. His time would
come. And he engaged himself in con-
versation with the vicar, for the most
part, and appeared quite content.
And Miss Berry sat holding wool for
Mrs. Mountebank. to wind-or looking
through a collection of photographs
with Mrs. thinking her own
thoughts the while; and, in way, she
also was content.
But the hours passed quickly away,
and the evening seemed soon over; and
bonnets were once more donned, and the
two ladies were returning. And Mr..
Stapleton had volunteered his services
as escort, to Mrs. Mountebank's evident
qualification.
And on the way he contrived to
find an opportunity to whisper -gravely
enough:
us it Yes or No. Miss Berry,"
And Miss Berry whispered hurriedly
in return, "I'll write"
n.-No,
And she did write.
And there sat Mr.. Stapleton, the
owner and occupier of the white house
among the trees, on dismal rainy day,
in his little dark, dull, dusty study,
whose one window was almost overgrown
by anow fast whitening creeper-reading
her letter.
He sighed as he finished it and laid it
upon the table before him. And then,
rubbing his hands, for they were cold,
he cast forlorn glance at the black,
smoky fire.
II had thought" he uttered, half
sorrowfully, half resignedly. "But-
never mind. So our dreams vanish"
And the wind moaned outside, and
the rain, and the dying leaves of the
creeper battered dolefully against the
window. And now servant entered
an untidy girl, with black face and
dirty apron-and with great noise and
clatter she made up the fire and de-
parted.
Next, Mr.. Stapleton took up the let
ter again, and re-read it. It was a long
one; and in it Adelaide Berry had told
him all her mind. Part of it ran thus:
Il wish to be free-and to be mistress
of such house as yours. I thought
how surprised everybody would be, and
what little triumph it would be for
me. But-when l remembered how
good and honorable you were though
tried to say yes from mercenary mo-
tives, could not. And now I am glad
and thankful that my better self con-
quered. The simple truth is that had
no thought of loving you; for never
dreamed, till l received your letter yes
terday, that you would care for me. I
thank-I respect honor you; but
this would not be enough to make me
the good, and true, and loving wife you
deserve"
It was No, then.
Mr.. Stapleton gave another long
sigh, rose from his chair, thrust the let
ter into his breast coat pocket and left
the room.
And then, taking his hat and an UNI
brella, but forgetting his overcoat, he
went out into the rain.
In the course of an hour or two he
returned, soaking wet through, but far
more cheerful and hopeful than when
he had set out.
"She is worth having" he said to
himself, as he closed the hall door be-
hind him, and was proceeding to the
study. Il will not give her up yet. But
L must have patience; there is nothing
Like it. [ will wait year and see how
she treats me. But, dear mew suddenly
observing how the rain was dripping
from his drenched garments to the
floor, 81 had no idea it was so wetp' and
he turned again and went in the direc-
ton of the kitchen.
m.-YES.
Autumn gave place to winter. And
very long dreary winter it was, Miss
Berry thought. However, it passed
away at last, and the spring came again
but she even thought the spring dreary
also. The flowers seemed so long COM
ing out, the clouds were so many, the
sunbeams so few.
At length the summer was advancing.
1t was warm, sunshiny afternoon,
and Mrs. Mountebank and her compan-
ion sat in a neat, prin little parlor
sewing, the latter lady moving her
fingers rather istlessly. Neither had
spoken for perhaps an hour, when Mrs.
Mounttebank said suddenly, almost
sharply:
"Are you not feeling well, Miss
Berry,"
Eyes, thank you, madam" returned
Adelaide, the color mounting in an in
slant into her dark cheeks.
"Then why do you not speak occasion
ally? You get more and more silent
every day, do believe! And you are
as pale, and dull, and dismal looking as
it is possible for person to be, I should
Think"
Miss Berry was moving her media