Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-01-20
THE WIFE'S SECRET.

GLOW on earth could we love her?
She had caused such bitter disappoint
ment."
tAnd how could Gerald care for g.
pale, strengthening little witch, with
her queer name after her French moth
er? For witch. of course, she must
be to have fascinated our fastidious
brother to the extent OF marrying
her"
Gerald was our only brother, 20
years OF age, tall and handsome, and
the idol of his sisters-two of us-one
widowed, and the other, myself, and
an old maid.
Few sisters are perfectly satisfied, as
a. rule, when their brother has found
some one dearer to him than those
who have loved him and administered
to his comfort all their lives. Yet L
really think we should have been mod
.erately content if his choice had been
to our own taste.
Why it had not been SO was just
mystery. Edith Falconer, whom we
had set our hearts on seeing Mrs. Ger
aid Fame, was q daughter of the
gods"-tall and divinely fair, and it
puzzled us how his heart or his fancy
could have Travelled towards daugh-
ter of a French Canadian, when our
letters were constantly full Of Edith's
beauty and Edith's goodness, and
when we had made point of dilating
on her attractions from morning till
eve whenever he was at home.
Edith was with us when the letter
came bidding US welcome his wife, and
L saw the surprise and disappoint-
ment legibly written in her beautiful
eyes.
Not that Edith was really in love
with him, but she had always felt an
enormous interest in the brother of
her dearest friends-an interest which
we had fully thought would ripen into
love.
And this is what Gerald wrote:
81 shall bring her to you, my poor,
stricken little Stephanie. She would
be quite alone IN the wide world now
if 1t was not for me. We were married
beside the deathbed of her father, and
she was scarcely a wife before she was
wholly an orphan, with never rela-
tive on earth. have promised her so
much love from you both that she
will not, | know, feel the loss of mother
and sister, who were drowned on their
way out to America-while | shall fill
the place of all others father, broth
er, husband"
how it was that Gerald had married
her. It was from sheer pity. We fully
decided this point and it did not make
us feel more pleasantly on the subject,
fol we were sure chat poor Gerald had
been victimized, sacrificed, ETC., etc.
We went about our preparations,
however, for their coming; furnished
the rooms newly and prettiiy and did
our best to insure comfort to the
bride, but it must be confessed our
hearts were not IN our work.
On the evening they were expected
we had no one at the house, thinking
Stephanie would prefer it SO.
That is, we had only Edith Falconer
but then she was just one of our
selves.
Gerald looked handsomer than ever
as he sprang out OF the carriage and
rushed up the steps, and with a radi-
ant face kissed US both.
Then he ran down again and lifted
out tiny figure, which he bore in his
arms as if it had been a child, and
placing it before US, said:
'Here's my darling-the sweetest
little darling that ever trod the earth"
He went away then to attend to the
luggage, and she made sort of move
ment as if to rush after him, but
stopped abruptly.
Then with quivering lips she lifted
her glance to US, with helpless, visit
full look; but presently softer light
crept into her great, dark, wild-look-
ing eyes, and she clasped our hands
and bent and kissed them.
After this wetook her into the draw
ing-room and introduc I'd her to Edith,
and saw her queer, dark little face
brighten up strangely as Edith greeted
her affectionately.
f'Please call me Ste and not Mrs.
Fame she whispered in low, fright
ened voice; "my heart yearns to be
called by that name. Papa loved it
sol" and turning her face away she
sobbed once or twice.
Gerald came in just then and shak-
ing hands with Edith went over to
his wife at once.
Come, my bird. You had better
let my sisters show you to your
room, SO you can trim your feath-
ers a little, F" he said, lovingly stroking
back the soft fluffy dark hair gently
from her brow.
My sister carried her off at once, and
OF course, Gerald followed. He did
not seem able to take his eyes off her
for q moment.
E1What a queer little fright she is
she looks like an elf! He must only
have married her from pity, I sup
pose" | could not help saying.
''Not a fright, sureIyl'' Edith an
swered quickly: ''we see her in an un-
favorable moment. Her grief has told
on her face, but she has glorious ewes.
and | can see what took Gerald. It is
her winning manner, just like petted
~child's."