Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-12-26
TWO NEW YEARS EYES.
. Tale of old Triuitv's Chin

MI NEN TEARS EVEN.
= Tale of Old Trinity's Chimes.
On the last day of December, smooth
faced, debonair Raleigh Roberts-better
known in the select social circles of the
interior city that was honored by his resi-
dence as Our Rolly"-was in New York
whittier he had gone on the invitation OF
Ned Billiard, his o..e-time college chum
TO watch the old year out and the new
one in after the somewhat costly manner
Of the rich who dwell in Gotham.
AS young Roberts walked along Broad
way on his way to luncheon at his
friends club. he was especially conscious
of two facts. The first-that he was
dressed III correct form, and, therefore,
not likely to disappoint Ned, who was
young man of large expenditure and
great devotion to the correct thing, being
backed by the practically unlimited
bank account Of q millionaire faith
er-gaye Roberts some satisfaction. But
there was no pleasure in contemplating
the other-that the moderate fortune left
him by his own father had slowly melted
under his assaults upon it, until all that
was left was represented by neatly
folded package of treasury notes which
he then had in his pocket. His own foot
steps, the beating of the horses hoofs on
the pavement, the rhythmic putting Of the
locomotives on the Il, heard from lit
tie distance, all seemed TO repeat over
and over with sort of rhymeless
rhythm
a wasted life,
And a fortune gone
A wasted life.
And fortune gone
with such 4 persistent monotony that he
was moved to quicken his pace, the soon
or to be with his friends where he could
forget the disheartening truth.
He knew quite well that there was
better way than to forget and that was
tn set 1nanfully about the work of re-
trieying himself. But he had not yet
learned to be strong, and had formed no
definite plans whatever, beyond the pass
ing of one evening in thOughtless jollif-
cation with the jolliest chap he had ever
known. Perhaps after that one interval
Of forgetfulness he would end it all in
towards way. If he did he would do it
cleverly. No ore should suspect that he
had made way with himself. least of all
dainty Helene Spanghell, the girl of
girls to his way of thinking-the pretti-
est, the richest, and the most unattain-
able-in whose mothers eyes ne we'll I'M
derstood himself to be. and quite justly,
4 hopeless detrimental" He would just
be missing.
He didn't know whether Helene would
care, anyway, for though he was fully
aware of her mothers attitude toward
him he hadn't the slightest notion of
the daughters. The strength of self
haps it never would but he was proud;
he was gentleman and he had never
spoken.
AS he turned from Broadway into
Fifth avenue he saw this girls dainty
figure ahead Of him. At first he deter
31oIY cd To Io1.4 x,b1c IL
had not seen him. But he hesitated.
and, OF course, walked on. Surely there
could be no harm i'll Oyertaking her and
passing the compliments of the season.
Something in the half-coquettish, half
hesltahng manned of her response to his
greeting made him suspect that she had
seen him first. After a bit she practi-
cally confessed as much.
y on understand mamma pretty we'll,
Dir. Roberts" the girl said, with an arch
ing OF the eyebrows, as they strolled
along, and you are quite aware Of her
regard for YOU
'Well?" he responded, his personal
equilibrium deserving him for an instant
Well repeated the girl, you haven't
answered my question, but YOU need not.
You can help me If you care to, just
now. though You may not wish TO do it."
''Well?" he exclaimed for the second
time. more puzzled than ever.
We were called to New York sudden
~ on matter of business" the girl con-
tinued, land we shall remain here sever
al days. | want mamma to go downtown
with me tonight when Trinity's chimes
are ringing and hear the horns the people
blow to drown the bells. When | men
toned it t. her this morning she said it
would be quite improper for us to GO
alone, but she admitted that sne'd be
glad TO If only there were someone to 60
with us. Now, ii you were to call at our
81 - =
the CHIMES with you, am sure she'd say
yes. oh, don't hesitate because she may
think YOU audacious. But" with an
affectatiOn of sudden suspicion-"dOn't be
afraid TO say you've another engagement
III case you think the expedition may be
tireSOme.
She blushed as if with confusion. and
her eyes met his-just for moment
Miss Spanghell," said the young man,
with somewhat formal courtesy, Il shall
call at the hotel at 3 o'clock sharp. If
your mamma says yes to my invitation
as to which [ have some misgivings,
shall have the carriage at the door at
1890 exactly, and | shall be delighted
to do all in my power to serve your con-
yenience."
She saw that he had misunderstood her.
and again her face was bathed in red
You're a strange and foolish young
man." she said, but shall hold you to
our DIOIiISe.
Then they parted and young Roberts
hastened to the club where his friend did
the honors so we'll that the guests newly
complicated personal problem hid itself
almost completely for the time. But
while he was driving to the hotel to ex-
tend the invitation-for he purposed
winding mp his career in style at all
events-the old refrain insinuated itself
into every sound he heard.
Mrs. Spanghell accepted the invitation
for the evening, though her manner of re-
ceiying the young man was excessively
formal and freezingly polite, and Miss
Helene did not appear at all.
Dung Roberts sent q brief note to his
friend saying that he was prevented from
joining him until very late, though he
might appear at the club an hour after
midnight. Then he went somewhere he
really never knew whittier, to pass the
time till near 1870. Not for one moment
could he forget himself and the hateful
refrain was with him constantly. through
all the sloW-moving hours But all things
come to an end aud SO at last did the