Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-13


her one love, and she made no response.
Peopls who were friends of the family
saw the great changes in the girls APP
pearance. The cheeks that had once
been as plump as peach and rosy as
the dawn of summer morning were
now sunken and pale. The elasticity
was gone from her tread; her bright
eyes had lost their merry sparkle, and
the dark circles beneath them told of
g eepless nights and anxious days, and
she was pitied accordingly.
And how Jared it with George Mat
son? He had sailed for that Eastern
country on gallant ship and with as
fair wind as ever waited vessel from
our shores. His heart was light with
joyous expectation of golden days to
come. when with fortune in his pocket
he could return to the little cottage on
the Hudson and claim his bride. But
alas for the uncertainty of human ex-
pectation. The heart may be filled with
the hope of longings to be soon realized
fate interposes and they are left
trembling in the balance or dashed to
pieces on the sharp rocks of destiny.
When but ten days out the ship was
struck by gale that stripped her of ev-
cry rag of canvas and drove her head-on
to the rocky shores of small island.
Nearly all were rescued from the sea
and reached the shores, but were not
discovered and taken off for nearly
three months. They were we'll supplied
with food and the necessaries of life
from the ships cargo, SO there was no
privatiOn Or suffering in this, but. oh, to
the lovers impatient soul what an
amount of suffering this enforced i'm
prlsonment occasioned-
They at last signaled an east-bound
steamer whose CAPTAIN took them
aboard, kindly cared for them, and land
ed them at small seaport town on the
Chinese coast. From here George made
his way to the interior, and finally obtain
ed a position in the warehouse of one of
the great American tea companies. By
perseverance, honesty and good bust
ness qualities he soon was promoted
successfully to general warehouseman,
and finally to the position of general SUI
of the tea company. He had saved a
large pro portion of bis salary and had
written regularly to Susie that as soon
as his savings had reached a certain fig
ure be would come home to marry her.
None of his letters ever reached their
destination, and the result the reader
knows. George had become alarmed
at the long silence, and four weeks be-
fore the day appointed for his return
had taken passage with an American
steamer, and was soon on his way home,
to Susie and happiness. But an adverse
fate seemed to attend him. The boat
was delayed, and he landed on the
company's New York wharf only twelve
hours before the time set for the mar
riage of John Mckenzie and Susie Nor
row. The up-train had been gone an
hour when he reached the depot, and
he contented himself with thinking of
the short distance that now separated
him from Susie, and in anticipating her
JOY and the pleasure which would at
tend his arrival.
At Susie's home the busy prepare
tions for the wedding were at an end,
the guests-a few old friends of the
family-were beginning to arrive, the
bride was dressed, and they were only
awaiting the coming of the minister
who was to perform the ceremony.
Susie sat by the window of her own
little room, seeming not to realize the
as indeed the poor child
did, for her thoughts were
with the absent one. Where he was
she knew not, but her heart went out
with great longing alter him, that was
loyal to her promised husband,
and the tears fell like rain UNDECIDED
upon her white wedding dress.
A ring at the door interrupted the
flow of conversation among the guests,
and Mrs. Morrow responded to it. A
tall, sun Drowned, bearded man stepped
into the hail.
not know me-" asked the visitor.
face" said Mrs. Morrow, "yet your voice
is like one l once knew. It can't be"
Eyes, | am George Matson," said he,
seeming to anticipate what she was
about to say, "and | am come to see and
claim my little Snsie. Where is she ?"
Before Mrs. Morrow could frame
reply low cry was heard, and light
figure came flying down the stairway.
Susie had heard and recognized her
lovers voice and sprung to meet him.
Throwing herself into his arms she Sob
bed out the sorrow of her long-suffering
aching heart. When she was Gained,
John Mckenzie was called and full ex-
followed. When the minis
ter did arrive the guests were astonished
to see Susie enter the room on the arm
of the bearded stranger and stand be-
fore him, while John Mckenzie sup
ported Mrs. Morrow. The twain were
made one flesh, and John Mckenzie,
who, like the honorable gentleman
that he was, had waived all right in the
matter, was the first to extend his con-
gratulations to the young couple, and
made the necessary explanations.
Turning to the company he said:
Although | had expected to have
now been the husband of this charming
girl, whom have loved, and still love
with mans true love, yet know that
in giving her up | am but promoting
her true happiness and that Of good
and noble man, who will make her
loving husband. He has waited and
worked hard for her, and deserves the
he may now enjoy. AS for
me, I shall hope they will sometimes
me, in their new home far
away, and will think kindly of me-"
Susie. taking his hand, thanked him,
while tears of happiness filled her
sweet blue eyes, while her husband
said, with outstretched hand
"You have but to ask and you need
not fear George Matson's friendship.
We cannot forget what we owe you, and
shall remember you as long as we live."
I11rr n 4 L L.