Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-01-29

"No-stop % said the widow, resolute-
ly, motioning him away as he would
have drawn nearer to her. "Are you
not premature? Have you reflected
how very, very brief a period of time
has elapsed since Mr.. Ogilvie was laid
in his grave?"
81 have forgotten nothing" the ar
dent lover made reply. "Nor do [
deem it any disrespect to the dead in
that would fain extend the tenderness
and protection of my love over one who
was dearest to him in life. Say that
you will grant my prayer. Give me but
one word of encouragement and | shall
be happy"
81 must have time for reflection"
Mrs. Ogilvie answered, hesitatingly.
''Time time |" Stanford impatiently
retorted. "You have had time enough
already, surely"
''But this is matter of such vital i'm
portance. Albert, you must rest con-
tented if [ promise you your answer to-
morrow"
You will not forget the truth and
| sincerity of my love-the deep loyalty
of my heart? p"
81 will remember it all, Albert; only
| let us return to the hotel now. Olive
| will miss us, and it grows toward sun
set.''
| So they passed on, and Olive, waiting
| in sort of dead passiveness for them
to disappear through the green wilder
ness of the leafy dell, took her languid
way back to the hotel
| "And believed that he loved me !"
she kept repeating over and over to
| herself. II allowed myself to be duped
| by the tender tones of his voice, the
| dark light in his eyes Oh, what fool
"a fool [ have heen Yet if it had
| been in any other hand than hers to
| dash the bright cup from my lips Oh.
mamma mamma! And | loved and
trusted her so entirely %
Poor Olive! It was like a new phase
| of lies bitterness and treachery to this
petted darling to find out that there
were other hopes and joys, and inter-
ests in the world clashlng sharply
| against her own.
She sat down and looked helplessly
| around her. Here was the bright trac
cry Of filoselle embroidery that she had
| commenced but few short hours ago;
ever touch it again. There was the un-
finished novel; she did not care q
penny whether the hero and heroine
got married or not.
"I'll 60 and live with Aunt Sarah,"
said Olive to herself. 1t will be mo-
| notonous lite, but-but it's all that is
| left me now. | don't care much for va
riety of brightness.
1t was Mrs. Ogilvie's voice, Mrs.
| Ogilvie's footstep, and, although Olive
would have fled from her presence it
was too late to do SO now. The young
step-mother came up to her and seated
herself at the girls side.
81 have something to tell you,
Olive"
solve shrank away from the arch,
| questioning gaze of her step-mother's
eyes,
~ know what it is" said she, family.
"YOu are going to be married"
81? My dearest child, what could
| possibly put such an idea into your
head? You are the one who is to be
married, if you can bring yourself to
say sya yes to the suit of Albert Stan
"Ma.nmar'
HE has been urging me for permits
sion to address you this long time, but
| have scarcely dared consent, know
| ing how recent a date has elapsed since
the death of your dear father. But per-
| haps have no right longer to object.
| He loves you tenderly, truly. He
would lay down his life for you, and [
| believe him to be worthy even of my
Olive. Shall 1 tell him you will listen
favorably to his suit ?"
Like burst OF renewed sunshine af
ter the blackness of thunder-shower
Olives face grew brilliant, and throw
ing her aims around her step-mother's
neck she sobbed out: Mamma
mamma [ have been so wicked in my
heart 0 mamma! can you ever for
give me?"
And then she told her story
$50 to Albert, my DEAR" said ner
step-mother, smiling. ''He will con-
vince you presently that all is right
with your heart and his.'
That was the end of Olive Ogilvle's
tribulation. And she still firmly per-
sists in her belief that she was the best
step-mother in the world. And Miss
Jane Darlington is rather disappointed
than otherwise.