Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-01-23
A LITTLE COMEDY That ENDED WELL.

IL Ill ILL OUtiiLUi iNAi LHOLD III GGL'
1t was a gala night at the little up
town theater. and all Harvard had
turned out in honor of the annual beneht
OF Nella Ward, the reigning idol OF the
town, the daintlest laughing blonde that
ever graced the boards. The boxes
rained flowers. and enthusiasm was at
its height. During temporary lull III the
performance Robert Winthrop found his
way behind the scenes and secured
fleeing tete-a-tete with the heroine of the
hour. The girl was flushed and radiant,
her rare loveGness heightened by the UNI
WOnted excitement of the occasion; yet
there was a moody flash in his eye as be
regarded her
Nell, was the promise you made me
one day myth or an honest pledge for
the future? On such a night as this |
doubt and wonder was [ dreaming
Robert Winthrop. '-and for an in
slant the laughing blue eyes lightened
Little hour of triumph? [ have earned it.
believe me, and what is more fleeing
than fame such as this? Or is it a sim
pie attack of jealousy"
Nell, | am in earnest. Matters are
coming to climax at home, and it is
only question of time when [ break
loose from family authority. Though [
forfeit fortune, [ will be my own mas
ter, and for your dear sake what sacri-
nee would l not make. But first of all,
L must know your mind"
y on may know it and welcome and
she turned on him in q spirited fashion.
once for all, do not come to open rupt
ure with your people on my account. [
VIII enter no home unwelcomed.'
And your promise?" bitterly. "Ah,
Nell-I might have known the end Of it
.al-dreamS and decisions"
To
the. rose; anG on no account will l EN-
broil you with your family
Yet you have led me on from day to
day. with fair smiles and fairer prom
iseS.'
Rob. Rob and she laid her little
hand on his arm an instant Are you
seeking a quarrel with me tonight when
l am so happy! Wait, wait-and time
will untangle the coil. Summer is com
ing; go on a yachting trip with some
friends, and forget it ALL
Forget" impetuously. "Nell, you
have never known love, if you could sug
gest such a thing"
Mop" and strange smile fitted
across her fower-like face, then at q
burst of music from the orchestra she
pushed him from her. and ran onto the
stage. with laughing goodnight and
q moment later he heard the storm of ap-
plause that greeted her entrance.
But his box remained vacant the rest
OI TIE evening".
=
1t was the loveliest hour of the twenty
four, the meeting of sunset and moOnrlse;
the lapsing tide still glowed and palpi-
tated with rose and violet tints, while the
young moon, like a drawn scimitar,
cleaned bright above the Shlmmerlng
sea. Mrs Winthrop sat on the balcony
of her summer villa and watched the
chain of lights kindling along the dark
ened coast. and then turned with q sigh
to her girlish companion.
Dear madam, what troubles you
''Lucie, I was thinking Of Robert, my
son; when will he come back to me
again? Two months he has been sailing
about in his yacht, with never a word or
sign; we parted in anger. but l will not
permit the boy to wreck his life while
any show of authority is left me.
strange child, how [ have given my
confidence since first you came to me
this summer: but my heart was full, and
you are sympathetic beyond anyone |
have ever known. Lucie, will he ever
outlive this mad infatuation? | know
we'll that opposition is perilous element
in love affair, but [ could not counte-
nance a mistake of that sort. An ac-
treSS''-in accents of hOrror-"cOnceiye of
it, my dear; never has Winthrop SO
far descended in the social scale
Have you ever seen the girl! falter-
ingly
Robert has strange Bohemian tastes, and
they have led him into dangerous ways:
No doubt she is siren. as they all are.
Dear madam you should not condemn
the poor girl unheard She probably
plays for a livelihood. We cannot all be
born to the purple of idleness."
"Luce, you mistake: it is not that.
Were she merely poor as you. my child,
/ should not feel the same, but an ac
tress-"
AN actress may have a heart
''Luce' with emphasis, L trust not.
There lies my hope and l confess it.
Marriage with a Winthrop must prove
a temptation to a girl of that class, but
erty and social ostracism she will throw
him over without pang. Better few
months Of heartbreak for the poor boy
than the mistake of lifetime
Silence reigned for a few moments,
then hurrying footsteps came up the
sprang up, crying My son. Lucie
slipped from the hammock with 4 start
led air, and for a space all was confu-
sion. Roberts moody restlesSneSS Of the
past year seemed to have slipped from
him, and his mothers heart beat high
with hope when he announced his inten-
ton of staying at the villa the remain
der Of the season.
At the earliest opportunity Lucie had
passed into the house leaving mother
and son alone. But later on, when Mrs
Winthrop had retired for the night. she
stepped out for a moment in search of
a missing shawl. caught the glow of a
cigar in the dusk, hesitated, and then
yielded to the situation.
Nell. what comedy is this you are
playing here in my home? What does it
all mean?"
Hush. Robert" beseechingly. ''You
will betray ALL
7 WILL indeed: where have you been
hiding away all summer? | sought for
you vainly at the close of the season.
Robert, | have been here in your
home for the last two months; your
mothers companion
"What would the world say? 1t shall
not last another day"
Rob. Rob- and she put out an i'm
ploring hand. Promise me that you will