Litchfield enquirer., 1854-06-15
Nisceijaqy.
THE WIDOWS BEAU.
BY MRS. CAROLINE A. soULE.

Service had commenced in the neat lit tle sanctuary, which the inhabitants of Fairmount had concentrated to the wor- ship of God. The minister had read the
 Psalm and scripture lesson, and the first lines of the opening hymn. The eyes of the people were fixed upon him. for he
 was not only good. sound. elegant, preacher, but he WIS fine looking one, too, and thus enchained. usually, not only the attention of the true but false wor> shipper. The house was very still-the clear. melodious tones of the speaker were the only sounds that throbbed on the balmy. golden air which the midsum- mer Sabbath morn had brea,hcd into that holy place. The frst syllable of the second line was trembling on his lips
 when rustic a, the door and the en- l,ance of two persons, a lady and gen. tleman, dissolved the charm. In se- cond every eye turned from the pulpit to the broad aisle. and watched with more than ordinary eagerness the progress Of the couple. A most searching ordeal were they subject 10. and when they were fairly and quietly seated in the front pew immediately before the pulpit what a nudging of elbows there was aye, and how many whispers too In vain sought the good. inc sound, the eloquent, the handsome Mir. B. 10 seal again the atten
 ton of lis hearers. They had eyes and though, for nobody but Widow c. and Widow C's dashy looking attendant. How she had cheated them? Hadn't she sa'd an hundred times or more, that her heart was in the grave of her buried one. that she would never mary again !? Hadn't she refused always to walk out, or ride out with any of the unappropria. ted gentlemen of the village Hadn't she sand she didn't feel as though she could ever wear anything but mourning? Aud in spie of all these protestalions, hadn'l she come out all at once, dressed all in whie and walked into the church in broad daylight. leaning on the arm Of d young gentleman?
 Yes, indeed she bad. SEe would have plead guilty 10 all these charges; grave as they wele-and 10 the last two, how many eiinesses might have been sub phened. She was actually dressed in while. A beautiful robe of India null tucked 10 the waist, with an open corsage displaying an elaborately wrought che- mizette. drapery sleeves, trimmed with
 the richest Mectlin lace. undersleeves of the same expensive material. a white crape shawl. a white lace hat with orange buds and flowers. white kid gloves and l light gaiters-such was the description
 every lady had on her tongues end to re peat over as soon as service was closed As the genllcman-h too was dressed
 in style. Didn', he wear wtiie pants of
 the latest pattern, and a coat of satin inish.' and white kids too and didn'.
 he sport splendid pin and massive
 chain, and didn't be gaze often. and ten
 desly, and lovingly on the fair creature
 beside him? An, yes, he did so. and there was no further room to doubt Wi. dow c. had cheated them. She had won
 beau, laid aside her mourning attire,
 and was going to bs married in church. But who the beau was. or whence he came, it was more difficult 10 solve.
 Service proceeded. The choir sung.
 the minister prayed and preached -the people wondered when the ceremony would take place. But to their utter as- tonishment they were left to wonder. For. when the benediclion was pronounced.
 Widow c. and the strange gentleman
 walked with the rest of the congregation lquietiy ont of the church. When they
 reached the pavement he offered his arm l very gracefully. and she placed her arm
 very confdingly on the beautiful coat
 sleeve. and they passed on.
 Ii The Rev. Mir. B. preached to a crowd
 ed house that afternoon no cOmplimen,
 to him, though. The magnet was in the !pew before him. Every one was sure 1ihe wedding would take place then. but lI everybody was again sadly disappointed