Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-11-25

woman were curiously blended He read
and re-read the little note.
Thanksgiving dawned cold and dis
agreeable. A fine fall of snow set in be-
fore noon, and by nightfall the lights of
the thOrOughfares cast their long, red,
ObllQue reflections on streets of white
DOrrance drew his topcoat high around
his ears as he hailed a passing cab. A
maid admitted him to dazzling transit
ton of an atmosphere Of warmth, shaded
pink lights, and the Odor of flowers. Dor
rance, with a beating heart, saw only one
face in all that assemblage, for all he
realized that his hostess whom he had
formerly known was advancing gracious
ly to greet him, from out a shadoWy
background Of mahogany furniture, light
gowns and palms. lie tried to get
through with n conventional greeting and
shook hands perfunctorily with the 9th
ers, whose faces he remembered as of
yore. A young woman in a cloudy pink
gown half turned her face from him. he
knew at once the familiar delicate profile
as she bent over the bunch Of roses she
carried And then, with a delicious little
thrill sweeping through him, he recog-
niZed them as the ones he had sent her
He found himself near her at last and
tried to silence some of his agitation as
he uttered her name.
Miss Forshay.r But it crept out de-
and turned around. The hand she ex
tended him was cold perhaps that was
why he forgot to release it.
''You-you haven't changed one Bit he
said, awkwardly, unable to remove his
eyes from her face.
ITS the rose-colored lights" she en-
deavored to say lightly, but her lip treIl-
bled. Il have changed-in every way"
I'm every way? he repeated after her
There was a world of meaning in his
voice
Yes she bowed her head over the
roses, lin every way
"Oh, Jenne," he cried, vehemently, il
low tone, don't transport me to a
dream of bliss unless you mean it. All
these years l have been faithful to my
ideal, you. Don't send me away again
as you did that day; l can't face future
like the past" Some one was making
his way across the room to them; she
could not answer him. Dorrance gained
a sufficient consciousness Of his surround
ings to see the newcomer in time.
Nora Tracy was on the young fellows
arm, with a happy, satisfied expression
or her face. and the look that the tall
young Virginian bestowed on her was
one of proud ownership. Their relations
were no longer mere conjecture Dor
rance grasped Reeses hand with more
than cordially; it meant congratulations
for his escape from an avowed confirmed
state of bachelorhood. And he recalled
veritable diatribes on the petty jealousies
OF wives in general, and Reese's declara-
ton that he had never been jealous of
any piece of femininity, but # he ever
were he should simply asphyxiate her.
Bob he could not refrain from say
ing don't asphyxiate her" Reese's blue
eyes frightened as he understood the allu-
clio 10 pf inID itob1
characteristic gestures. He was a good
looking chap, of admira BILE physique,
whom women had some way been unable
to spoil.
CLYDE" he said, sententiously, as with
the chiyalry of the man born south of the
Mason and Dixon line he first bent and
kissed his sweetheart's fingers, there's
only one way in the world, have discov-
cred, and that is a Woman's way. Love,
you know, is the scarlet fever of man
hood. 1t is very serious, often fatal and
even if the patient RECEIVERS he may al
ways suffer from its ill-effects, or he may
be crippled, or rendered disabled forever
from it. l have taken an extra precau-
ton in providing myself with the best
little nurse in the world; my chances Of
life are absolutely in her hands"
Nora blushed softly. Il am afraid l
shall have to prescribe quiet for you
now she said merrily. You are slight
ly delirious-"
who could be rational under such a
disease?' retorted Reese Its con-
tagious, too. Look at Portlock and Mary
Goodson in that Turkish corner. They
nearly made the same mistake Nora and
[ did, he added. turning to the others
by the time the Roman punch is served
tonight I'll wager they will have for
ever prevented another such disaster
He is Just now repeating to her his favor
r. bo
chops prepared for breakfast. l know
the expression
Its not more reprehensible than Miss
Somerset and Holbrook." Dorrance pro-
tested. ''They have only recently met,
and have already exploited all mundane
subjects, the probability of Mars being
occupied, the illness of the now, and how
to make Welsh rarebit without beer
Their acquaintance has certainly
made gigantic strides" Jenne Forshay
put in from above her roses.
Dorrance. regarded her fondly.
When the right man meets the right
Dinner is served" announced an i'm
passive looking colored man from the
doorway.
"Why-what?" she asked archly as she
passed under the crimson portiere he
drew aside for her.
''She-meets him half way" he added
softly, OBTAINING her tor the second to
allow the others to pass.
"Such beautiful roses,'' she murmured
confusedly under the fire of his gaze.
which set all of her pulses tingling. The
bouquet was Of generous proportions
and there was no one looking. A blush,
as crimson as the flowers she carried,
suffused her face as she raised her joyous
eyes to his and read the love and tender
ness there for her
And then-she met him half way
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