Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1915-06-03
or

Their contradiction. "h that isn't
character, If it isn't sweetness, II 1t
isn't courage, II it isn't being brick,
then show me what 1t is! l tell you,
Eugene is adorable. She's witch a
saint, as merry as kitten, as wise
as a philosopher, -and-she has
the miserable fate to love mel"
"a French woman an actress p
che said In voice scarcely above a
whisper, and then she looked past
Ralph into the distance--into years OF
which he could know nothing.
Whats the matter?" he asked,
springing up and taking her hands,
which were closed and cold.
1T seems strange that you should
have chosen this girl out of all others,
because because"
We'll? Tell me, Cousin Rosie. You
look so strange You've never even
seen EuGenie Pm sure!"
Il n not thinking Of her" she said,
holding his hands fast and letting her
gray eyes look deep down into his
heart. I'm thinking of the ruin a
woman made Of my life-a French
woman, an actress.
Why, Cousin ROsie,"
''You never heard my story, Ralph
Every one belonging to both Of us is
gone, and my enbittered heart, my
useless life, were important failures
only to myself, But you see, dear,
1UbU fool almost Al, 1IDCanpIy torror Of
this girl you love. She is not the one
| would have chosen for you Is she
worthy of you? Will she make your
life happy? How can she, a foreign
CT, 4 girl of the theater, help or I'M
derstand you in your career?'
Ralph was touched to the very core
Of his warm heart. He drew his
chair over to Miss Pickerwick's and
Theedled from her some Of the facts
Of her love story. She had told only
a few things-her lovers name, the
dancers name-When a slow light Of
comprehension Stole over RaIph's face.
When the story was done he looked
at Miss Pickerwick an unWonted ten
derneas mixed with a strange excite
ment in his blue eyes.
You have never seen this David
Townsend since-since he married."
Never He Wen. to Paris to live.
| remained here. No, indeed; that
pain was spared me-" said Miss Pick
erwick rising with a sigh. And,
now, dear, that you have listened to
my old maids love tale, you will know
nOW the thought of any similarity be-
tween your wife and the woman who
uazzled David Townsend and drew
uim away from me could only cause
me pain"
Yes, | understand" said Ralph, and
there was still that strange look Of
excitement in his eyes. But believe
me, dear Cousin Rose, you misjudge
my sweetheart"
Miss Pickerwick sat down, her
hands folded primly.
u see you have made up your
mind" she said, with little sigh.
Your are your own master, Of course.
What favor do you want to ask of
me?"
Well, it's just this" said Ralph
slowly. You have been asking me
about Eugene, and you're awfully
afraid Pm making a mistake. Now,
her father is coming to you to make
inquiries about me, because he's
afraid Eugene may be making a mis-
take"
Her father?" and Miss Pickerwick
oh Of 1icto
Yes" Ralph burst out into peal
of boyish laughter. "Oh, l suppose
you see him in your minds eye-a
swarthy, mincing Frenchman of the
most Objectionable sort. Perhaps you
think he wears earrings"
OH" The unusualness of the COM
ing episode flushed her cheek. Very
well, she added gently, if you wish
1t, dear But give me time to put
way the lunch things and tidy up d
bit"
When a quiet but decided knock
came upon her door she gave a ner-
vous start. A thrill ran through her
with expectancy and making rosy
bloom leap to her wan cheek, SO that
for d moment she looked more like
the Rosanna PickerWlck of other days
than she had done in years.
1t was we'll that she did, for when
her door opened, admitting a gray
haired man in Well-ftting but worn
clothes she knew that the past had
entered-that it was looking at her
from under the visitors brows with
the dark, unQuenchable, neyer-to-be-
forgotten eyes Of David Townsend.
For moment the two stood, like
ghosts come back, and gazed at each
other. A miracle had happened. It
was the man who spoke first
"You-are Ralph Morton's cousin? ?"
Yes, and you" she faltered.
I'm Eugenie's father.
He placed his hat on the table just
in time to assist Miss Pickerwick as
she swayed in trying to reach chair.
AS she rallied, their hands touched.
I'VE meet again here" David was
saving Sin the old house"