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

few words with you before I go. Here
is a little box for you from Col. Ascot
He told me he had sent you ring, which
of course you will accept, as you are
prepared to marry him-unless you are
more foolish than I think. You have
wasted your chances long enough. You
have no right to keep Ascot dangling
any longer. [ know you don't like my
arrangements for the future. Three in
the family won't make happy house
hold. Ascot's a good fellow, not too old,
either. You need someone who can keep
you out of mischief. Let's see the ring
Open the box"
Il don't care to open it now
''As you like. But you can tell me
if YOU have decided to marry Ascot
Il haven't decided
You are slow about it. l give you
till tomorrow. Then expect you to tell
me you are engaged to be married.
You've had enough time to think of it."
Very WELL" and Alice turning quick
ly from her father, left the room.
The large hall in the Lawton house
| lighted and trimmed with holly and
! Christmas green's. At one end of the
/ hall stood a Christmas tree glistening
with candles and tinsel decorations,
| tree that had made happy the hearts of
all the neighboring children that after
nous fireplace at one end Of the hall
and Mr.. LawtOn stood before it. rub
bing his hands and watching the door
! eXpectantly. \ servant stood by the
door awaiting the guests. James, why
don't the musicians come; of course,
they'll be late
1T wants a quarter to 9, yet, sir
| Where's Miss Alice? OF course she'll
be late, too. Alice, where are you?"
| Down the broad staircase came Alice
/ How III
| her; some ornament, gold and sparkling
! shOne in her dark hair. Her eyes were
| bright with nervous excitement her face
pale, but she was very lovely. Her faith
er glanced quickly at her left hand. On
| the slender third finger shone beautiful
| diamOnd-AScOtS ring. LawtOn uttered
| an exclamation, but was silenced by q
glance from Aice's eyes. The father
| was sometimes awed by his daughter.
The girl passed into the drawing room
for moment, then returning she stopped
to fasten a sprig of mistletoe among the
! greens that formed an arch above the
| door. At that moment q carriage was
! heard at the door. Lawton chucked.
ascot, | suppose he said. Alice did
not reply, but her fingers trembled as she
tried to fasten the mistletoe
well, James, Miss Alice down yet?
! 1t was Ascots voice. He entered the
hall and went into q room at the left to
remove his coat. Before James had closed
| the door and just as Ascot walked up the
| hall there was the sound of carria &c
| driving rapidly to the door. The carriage
| stopped and IN q second q deep, manly
| voice said:
Merry Christmas. James Glad to
see you again. Is Miss Alice down yet?
| want to see her before the rest come.
Tell her it is an unlimited guest" James
beamed delightedly upon tall, dark
man, while Alice, who had put out her
| hand to Ascot at the sound of that 9TH
er voice stopped as if she was stunned
| and stood there in the doorway, motion
less as a statue. Ascot, watching her
face, saw her color change, first red,
then white.
Jack" The word was half gasp.
'Jack, it can't be you?" There was a
tone in her voice never heard by any Of
the three men before. The father ex-
claimed: Why, Carstairs, where did
you come from%' But he was unheeded.
Jack rushed by him to Alice. No words
were needed That voice, that look,
were enough He seized the girls hands
and then suddenly, leaning forward his
lips tuched hers.
said LawtOn. Jack started; he had for
gotten all but Alice; then with sudden
smile he glanced above her at the green
sprig that almost touched her hair.
Under the mistletoe, Mr.. Lawton,' he
said. But, but, l am engaged to this
! lady, Stammereu poor COl. ASCOT. lndl
is my ring she just took from her finger,
is it not, Alice?'
Eyes, and [ return it to you," said
Alice, firmly, holding it out to him. 1T
was worn only in obedience to my ia
theirs command, [ cannot marry you
How dare YOU. Alice?" said her IA
! Their. furiOusly. What did you say to
me last EVENING"
THAT [ would tell you Of my engage
ment tonight, and | will. / am engaged
to Jack Carstairs-am / not, Jack?"
And what do you think Jack an
| Swered brooklyn Daily Eagle.