Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-01-23

keep silence for a time. l had motive
in coming; don't ruin all and place me in
the light of an impostOr."
Nell, I will make no promises, but |
shall remain on the spot the rest of the
summer. and act as seems to me right
and fitting to the occasion"
True to his word, he fingers on
throughout the season. Mrs. Winthrop
accepts the situation with inward joy and
outward calm. With rare diplomacy she
leaves the young couple to themselves;
from day to day, and trusts to time. and
propinquity, and the moving charm of
summer, to do the rest. Never before
has she been guilty Of matrimonial
scheming. but her fears and forebodings
have wrought revolution in that proud
nature; could the sweetness of the gentle
Lucie but steal her sons heart from its
past allegiance she would gladly over
look all diSparities of birth or fortune.
Robert can never reconcile himself to
the little comedy she is playing without
his consent. and threatens at any moment
to force the situation.
And poor Nells conscience has awak-
ened under the kind and almost motherly
treatment of Mrs. Winthrop. She feels
all unworthy of the confidence reposed in
her, and each day renders confession the
more difficult, till at last she becomes so
frightened by the situation that she
would fain take refuge in ignominious
fight. Then again her careless nature
asserts itself, and she throws fear to the
winds, charms Robert to a happier mood.
and they sail away from the land like
children at play.
One evening she sits at the piano sing
ing. while mother and son listen from the
little balcony, and watch the great white
moon climb upward from the Weltering
waste of the gray sea.
The girl has a rarely sweet mezzo So
pranO, with a certain sympathetic Thrill,
in it that goes straight to the heart: as
she wanders absently from one song to
another Mrs. Winthrop is much moved.
What rare gift Of song" she muir
INJURED. Robert, my son. could this be
your choice, it would make my heart
glad; you might search the world over.
and fail to find q lovelier nature"
Mother" and he caught her hand in
an eager clasp, you really mean it-you
conSentT
At that moment Nell stepped out on the
balcony. Nell" he cried, with a Joyous
ring in his voice. Mother has given the
consent [ dared not ask
'Ah, Robert. YOU have learned to love
her then. thanks to the old lady's diplo-
Yes. mother have loved her long and
deeply
But as she leaned forward to kiss the
speechless girl Nell recoiled from her en-
brace. mo. no-not yet, dear madam.
First hear my confession, and then con
''Your confession?" in bewilderment.
Il vain Robert laid protesting hand
on her arm. implored her with his glance.
Il will speak, [ will; if | forfeit all by my
confession. Dear madam, hear me; ana
not the modest, lOWly companion whom
you have known and loved all summer
[ am an impostOr, an innocent one it may
be. but an impostor all the same"
Hush. my child in strange startled
tone. '"To me you have been q faithful
friend; | care nothing for the secrets of
your past"
Listened to me- dear madam" she
painted, feeling her courage fast ebbing
away. II, am Nelia Ward-the ac
tress your son honored with his love-
mo, mo- will not believe it,"
Still the pleading voice went on while
the lovers face flushed and paled. and
Mrs Winthrop hardened to sternness
as the truth was borne in upon her.
L acted upon impulse, when first /
came to YOU [ said | will know and
win the mother of the man [ love. She
will not come to me, but | will go TO
her, and then some day, when she has
learned to love me for my own sake, /
will make my confession. Ii can say
no more her voice broke, and she sank
dwon by her lovers side, hiding her face
in her hands.
Silence followed this broken speech,
and when Mrs. Winthrop spoke again it
was in slow, measured tones, that chilled
the hearts of her hearers.
You have laid siege to mothers
heart-betrayed her most sacred conf
dences: destroyed her faith in human ma
ture. You two have conspired against
me" she famed FORTH with growing
fire and resentment, while [ have been
the willing dupe of your deep designs
mo. no-dear madam; pleadingly 1T
was all my dong. and the punishment
shall be mine alone"
Never will believe in truth or inno-