Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-23
FIDEL1A GAZING INTO THE Fl RE AND He GAZING AT HER

was the lOveliest woman on earth: and
another was that it was expected of him
to marry fortune and a name and
double his estate with the resources of
the Van DenS or the st. Johns or the
De Puys, and still another and perhaps
the most exhaustive view of all, was that
there had never been a woman in the
family, from its original Eve, that had
earned money IN any way, and, in fact.
that marriage with Mrs. Murray Doug
las governess and paid companion was
an undesirable descent for one of the
great and mighty Bleeckhers.
Nevertheless, Fidelia Searles' sweet
ness and beauty were a magnet that
drew him wherever he might be. An
invitation from Mrs. Murray Douglas
was something for which he went out
of his way; and when the family were
in town, the lovely gOyerness could never
go out with the children but Archie
Bleeckher knew it, and was walking in
that direction, too. Sometimes he went
so far as to call. Frequently he sent
her flowers. What the result of his at
tentions might be upon the feelings Of
the young woman who found herself sur
rounded by them, he did not pause to
consider. He knew he was in love with
her-perhaps she knew it. too But he
had never told her; and as to her senti-
snents in regard to him. the perfect re-
pose of her breeding forbade him to
guess.
She had come down now after super
Intending the dressing Of the children's
tree in the great drawing room of the
old house. and then, to save time, dress
ing herself for dinner; and she had
been making the 5 o'clock tea in the
smaller chintz drawing room, where the
gay party burst in like a troop of Bac-
chantes, and brought the frosty smell OF
the Christmas weather with them.
Mrs. Murray Douglas had been assist
l. + A two - II
had done all they could, with Gabor
Vesalenyi, as he had been introduced;
ard they had remained q long while UNI
der the shade of the fragrant boughs
talking together, while Fidella was III
her own room. The conversation was
apparently satisfactory and agreeable;
and when Miss Searles came down, he
returned from a quick walk in the gar
don mathis and asked her for q cup OF
tea; and sitting before the ire he spoke
to her more freely than he had done be-
fore of his hopes and plans, having OF
previous occasions 1o.a nef VI MS nulllo =
in the mountain regions OF Hungarian
nrincipality. and Of the wide lands 10
whose wild people he was endeaYorlng
To bring the civilization which he had
himself 10 come over here to stUGy; An
old name, lands, resources, rank, Ne
said: oyer here they are regarded as
haubIes. as playthings. But we--many
If us-we know that they are burdens,
that they are trusts-tthat. their posses.
sion involves the whole of fate to many
others. The women we marry-1ney
are rot among the great ladies, wearing
levels. titles, playing life away-they
are bread-giyers, torch,-bearers; they
reach down hand TO help others up,
They must be happy" Fideha SAID;
! am considered revolutionary, ne
had said 10 Mrs. Murray Douglas thal
nTte1noon. Il am not in good odor al
court. and live almost entirely at Nesa
lcnyi. We have neighbors over the hills
and across the forests. We have friends
The mesalliance, of which you speak
would not occasion my wife or mysei
Inconvenience. And, au reste, there i
no other equality in marriage than tina
81 love and goodness. l would make m!
wife happy" And his proud and rugged
face had glowed and she had felt TIT