Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-12-19
| CHRISTMAS pr IPQ2AL

Alice Lawson pulled her horse down to
q walk. She must bring him in cool,
even though she much preferred a fast
gallop which would render conversation
impossible. In spite of frozen roads and
the objections of Col. Ascot, she had rid
den very hard. Col. Ascot was a man of
middle age and preferred a slow and
digniied pace, but it was one of those
occasions w1len clever woman knows it
IS best to avoid all pauses unless she
wishes to give Il definite Yes or NO"
TO a mans pleadings.
The horses settled down to q lazy walk
and Alice talked fast and incoherently.
She would avoid the pause as long as
possible, but the flow Of nonsense, that
had served her in good stead all the at
ternoOn when conversation had been
necessary, was almost exhausted. When
they turned through the gate and into
the long road that led to her father 5
house Alice knew the moment she dread
ed had come. The man rode close be-
side her and gazed long and searchingly
into her face. Alice, tell me tonight
now. [ have waited SO long and patient
". Will you marry me, Alice"
please, please, don't ask me now. You
gave me till Christmas"
Very WELL till tomorrow, If You wish.
Be my Christmas gift, dear, a gift such
little gift for you, Alice. Your father
IS keeping it for you. You will accept
it, if you love me. Wear it tomorrow
night, and | will know your answer. But
[ know it now; you cannot send me
away"
The girl grew white, but in the dusk
the man saw no change in her face.
Very WE'LL tomorrow" was her only
reply.
They had reached the house and Alice
slipped quickly from her horse before
Ascot could assist her. What time
shall l Gomez"
Not till tomorrow night. We have
asked everyone TO come early-9 o'clock. .
u shall be the earliest conner, for |
want to see YOU alone.
"a few minutes before >, then. 1hom-
as, be sure High Filler is cool before
you put him up Good night, Col. As
cot
Ascot rode away and Alice stood alone
on the piazza, gazing into the darkness
rTith troubled eyes. II eight months be
fore her father had not FAILED IN business
and lost everything, this decision would
not have had to be made. She could
have stood poverty, but not the future,
and that was now before her. Her faith
er was a judiciOus man, and rather than
sell his place the old family place where
he had been born ara brought up, and
his father before him, rather than lose
all his accustomed Injuries, he had asked
Mrs. Scott. the rich and the VIGOROUSLY
lively widow, to marry him. The thought
shat on January l, Mamie Scott would
become her stepmother and mistress OF
her fathers house was undesirable to
Alice. How different the future had
looked year ago. Alice remembered her
last Christmas eve. 1t was day like
this, no ice, no snow, only hard frozen
roads and leat1eSS trees; but hope and
JOY had dwelt in her heart. She had felt
as happy as q careless child. She had
ridden with Jack CarStairs to the little
church. to help in the Christmas decGra-
tons. She remembered the surprise and
annoyance. even Indignation, she had felt
when on the way home he had told her
Of his love. He might love her, yes, but
that he should tell her, should ask her for
her love in return; should wish her to
marry him; to give up that freedom
which he knew she priced SO highly. She
had known him always, had played with
him since she was 4 baby. Of course,
she loved him dearly, but why should he
wish to spoil their delightful friendship.
She refused his love, but had imagined
that after a time their old pleasant rela-
tons would continue. She was mistaken.
Jack. with q mans reasoning. had be
lieyed that because she refused him she
did not love him. He went away and
she had never seen him since. When
war with Spain was declared Jack had
enlisted, and without even a written
worn 10 ueF udu SOlie W ouUd Will Tue
Rough Riders. He was back again now,
but Alice heard he had joined the regu-
lar army and had been made lieutenant
in the st regiment. His regiment was
soon to go to Porto Rico. They might
sail at any time. All, if a year ago she
had understood herself, if Jack had only
understood her. With womans sense
of justice she blamed the man. But Il
year had passed. Jack had forgotten her
surely he had forgotten if he would go
away again without Il word. Not a single
would willingly follow him to Porto Rico
or to the end of the world
Alice's thoughts were interrupted by
her father. who called out peremptorily
from the house. She found her father
IN the library. Il ana going to dine out