Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-27

Inoro'S the willow aTDOT, OOWn OV
the marsh; it's pretty there" she fall
tered.
Hank Lee had released Philo; he was
turning this way, with his loose gait, his
hands in his pockets.
81 love willow arbors," cried the doc
tors nephew. eff there's anything
I've always adored and yearned for, it's
willow arbor. You'll go?"
~ don't know" said Cora, wistfullv.
But Mr.. Hill knew. Philo Wilson, at
any rate, stood the next moment star
ing after their disappearing figures.
1t was not quite eleven by Mr.. Hill's
handsome timepiece when they start
ed; but it was fully one when they got
back.
They had forgotten the picnic, almost,
wandering among the willows in some
thing more than contentment, and it
was dire necessity to have to come
back to it.
''But they'll be having dinner, you
say ?' said Mr.. Hill. "And they'll eat
at that long table all together? Well,
I'll get a seat by you, by hook or
crook"
But dinner was late The fdders
had arrived and been pressed into early
service. The platform was filled with
walters, to get up their appetites, they
said. while their elders waited hungrily
for that process to be completed.
"Ah ~ said the Doctors nephew,
blithely., "Will you give me the first,
Miss Gilman, and as many more as
your card will permit?'
They were laughing at that as they
went toward the platform. But they
did not ascend it. Philo stood on the
lower stair, like spider in wait for q
fly.
"lt's about time, seems to me-" he
observed, his dull face lighted by a
spark of anger. I've ben looking
round for you for two hours. | guess
I'll have the first dance, if you just as
lief
There was sharp resentment in his
pale-lashed eyes.
Cora bit her red lips, her face afame.
But she spoke quietly.
'sMr. Wilson was my escort, MIR.
Hill," she said, I'll"
She could not finish. She tried to
smile, but her lips only trembled.
The doctors nephew looked Mr.. Will
son over from head to foot, and bowed
silently, little paler than his wont, and
turned away.
II didn't mean to make you mad"
said Philo, better disposed now that he
triumphed. But / was kind O. put
out. Your folks didn't like it, neither;
| told 'em you was off with him. Wal,
let's have waltz" he concluded, con-
scious of extreme magnanimity.
Il shall not dance, said Cora.
Her pretty eyes blazed scornfully
upon him. He told ''her folks" She
could have laughed if she had not been
SO holly miserable. What did he
think?
"You will find me seat, if you
please" she said.
But Philo did not hear her. His eyes
were fixed on figure at little distance
"a figure which walked unsteadily with
swinging arms.
"Jem Murray !" he muttered, amazed
ly.
The eyes of the entire picnic were
focused on Jem Murray, and with equal
bewilderment. Jem alone was uncon-
cerned. He was the chief blot on the
towns responsibility; a brainless fellow,
half shoemaker and half vagabond, gen.
orally idle and never sober. How Jem
Murray had got to the picnic was start
ling mystery; but he was there un-
quest1onably. and as unquestiOnably
drunk.
His progress was not barred; there
was some hesitation about barring it.
He staggered on. making his course
with amlable comments.
'Nishe day. nishe plashe, nishe, nishe
lot O. girls. Keep right 'long"-for the
fiddlers had irresolutely stopped
keep right 'long; going to have
danshe m'self"
He was grinning with the pleasure of
this vague notion. 1t took clearer form
in his muddled head
"Goin' to have danghe," he repeat
ed. Here, here'sh girl now"
He was standing before Cora, his
blinking eyes on her blanched face and
shaking arm extended.
She caught at her companion desper-
ately; but Philo backed off, his lace as
pale as her own. He had never
tackled" Jem Murray, and he did not
care to do it now.
'See here, now" he began weakly.
But Jem was oblivious.
oval, m waitin'," he observed.
He touched Cora's sleeve; but he did
no more. He was laid on his back the
next minute by sharp blow on the
face, and the doctors nephew stood
threateningly above him. There were
halfa dozen others meditating the same
act, but the doctors nephew had dis
tanced them.
Philo stood open-mouthed. Cora was
uOINOuoly crying, UuG Nlf. I'LL y arm
was through hers protectingIy.
Jem Murray was got on his feet and
hurried away by score of hands, and
the hero of the occasion had an APPROX
ing group around him, and Cora's father
was one of the number.
"You did that mighty neat" was the
general verdict.
81 could not see lady insulted," the
young man responded, little stiff1v,
with an eye on Philo, and Philo grew
red under it.
"Cora's tremulous fingers family
pressed her companions arm.
"Come here, my girl" said her faith
er. you're all upset. Mr.. Hill,
you've got my gratitude" he declared,
courteously.
But there was something in his voice
which made his daughter look up at
him as he led her away.
"You saw it," she said, anxiously.
Eyes, saw it. So did your mother"
Her father cleared his throat. ST don't
know as l care about you're having
much more to do with that young Will
son. I've always been In favor of him.