Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-10-18
HIS SKETCH.

WOulQ SpeTl0 the SUMMER Will Ilieili, anu
arrive that evening.
"How old is She Miss Emily?" asked
Rosa, the maid, who: if company must
come, hoped they would be fashionable.
Il do not know, Rosa, but suspect Bes-
sic is but child, for our nephew speaks
of her as his little girl replied Miss
Emily.
Tom drove to the station, and on his
return, a beautiful young girl was seated
in the oldfashioned barouche Her gown
far exceeded Rosa's expectations, and the
quick, animated way in which she bound
ed from the barouche caused her aunt's
heart to swell with pride and admiration.
why, my dear, | thought you were a
child said Miss Lanton, embracing her
warmly.
That is papa's worst fault" continued
Bessie, for he viii persist in calling me
his little girl in spite of the fact that /
make my debut next winter. | tell
mamma he will want to introduce me as
one them
She was out gathering flowers when her
aunts came to breakfast, and declared
she knew she would enjoy every moment
Of her visit.
Her kind disposition at once made
friends of Tom and Rosa, but nothing
she could do would win the favor of q
fCck of geese her aunts possessed. They
became more aggressive each time they
saw the results of encounters with them.
The most desperate attack occurred
one morning on her way to the village.
She had on a pink gown, and a large
white hat, and started off merrily, sing
ing an operate air. On one side of the
road was d wooded valley. cool and en-
ticing, and on the other a farm where Il
boy was working.
Bessie was so en9rossed with the seen
cry that she did not realize the proxim-
ity of a neighbours flock of geese until,
feeling. something tugging at her skirt,
she looked down and saw one large gray
goose pulling at her ruffies. several pick
ing at her shoes, while the rest were
grouped about her and quacking SO lust
lily that her blood fairly froze
She gave one scream, and tried to Jump
on the railing that spanned the bridge,
but her enemies proved too strong Her
screams attracted the farmer boys atten-
ton, and he came to her rescue with
stout stick, saying: They won't hurt
you, miss; they hain't got no sense
Her skirt was literally in ribbons As
soon as she was out of sight and hearing.
a young man. who had been sketchinc in
the valley close by, burst out laughing,
saying:
''Well, that is the richest thing [ have
seen. What pretty girl, and stranger,
too, I'll wager, for no one here has her
style [ must ask aunt Fannie who she
is"
He was doubly surprised to see her
few days afterward, seated on his aunt's
porch in company with some elderly
ladies.
"There he comes,'' exclaimed Mrs. Vane,
waving her hand to her nephew. She had
been expatiating on his remarkably fine
qualities, and Informed her guests that
he was to leave in the fall for Italy to
study art.
Bessie had been an attentive listener,
wondering if he could be Stella Hollis
brother, of whom she had heard so much
but had never met.
Gerald thought it no wonder that his
sister admired Bessie Linton, for she
looked so dainty and winsome, in a cool.
white dress, with a spray of honeysucl1le
nesting in her hair.
The sketches were duly commented
upon, but when the one in particular was
reached, Bessie's cheeks grew crimson,
and looking inquiringly at Gerald, she
asked, where were you them"
Not far away" he replied, and as she
laughed, good naturally, he did also.
That was the beginning of days that
seemed all too short for both, for the
idea of a chaperon did not present itself
to the Misses Linton. and the young
people were free to roam about as they
chose.
In such close companionsllip, Gerald
fully realized what these days meant to
him.
He thought it would not be fair to ex-
tract any promise from her before she
had had a chance to choose for herself,
among others more worthy than he At
times he feared for such opportunities to
come. Then, again from some little word
or sign, perhaps unconscious with her, he
would see that she cared for him more
than she knew, and he would take fresh
courage.
In one respect he was correct, for Bes-
sic had not analysed her feelings in re-
gard to him, but when the day came for
him to leave, and she thought of the
future without him, her heart grew faint,
and she realized that she cared for him
more than as a friend.
People wondered why the belle, Miss
Linton, did not marry 1t was strange
indeed, for she had had scores of splendid
offers, but for some unknown reason re-
fused each sutton.
During these years she had not heard
from Gerald Holt except through his fam
lily and the press. He had won great
name, was looked upon as the best artist
of the city, his pictures had met with the
warmest enthusiasm and been purchased
by connoisseurs of both lands
When it became known that he was to
return to his home, society and the world
of artists made preparations to receive
him. Arrangements were made for pub
lie exhibition of his works, and it's open
ing was marked success.
The artist, however, did not make his
appearance until early one morning. There
was number of people present, but his
quick eye scanned them all, and at last