Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-24

and her charming protege. But his at
tentions were most marked toward the
former. 1t was not long before the young
man made an impression upon the heart
of Mrs. Walters. And it was not much
longer before it became very evident that
two years could hardly pass and leave
Mrs. Walters widow. And, strange as 1t
may seem, Mile. Willard appeared to look
favorably upon the suit of the young
soldier. Indeed, she had been instru-
mental in forwarding the courtship, but
had done 40 rather under cover, 80 that
no completely could appear between her
self and Willistou. ~ Ll4 'aaia .
In the meanwhile Mile. Willard had
managed to gain complete mastery
over the will of the widow Walters. Viii
lard was q blonde. She had dark,
piercing eye, splendid physique,
healthy, fresh face and commanding
figure. Mrs. Walters, on the contrary,
was petite, fraii, rather under the medium
hight, dark hair, and brunette. Be-
sides, her health was not robust.
She rested her burden upon Willard, as
she had once been accustomed to balance
thereupon the masculine shoulders of her
departed husband. And Willard seemed
to be pleased to have it so. In fact, she
labored to that end. She made herself
necessary to the widows existence.
Ii was last September that Mrs. Walt
ers disposed of valuable piece of real
estate on Beekman street, and received a
cash payment of $4,000. Her husband
had left her everything, and she was per-
fectly uncontrolled and free to sell or
lease any or all or none of the property,
and appropriate the proceeds to her own
use. 1t was not supposed that Wiliston
knew of the wealth of Mrs. Walters, or
that he cared to know. But Mile. Viii
lard did know it, and took good care
that the widow-who knew nothing of
law or business-should not be troubled
with details or dry figures, and she gen.
erously performed ell the labor of look
ing after the property of her friend.
Kind soull She expected no reward.
Not she Had she not plenty of her own 2
Did she not own an entire castle, and re-
tainers, all in the south of France2 So
she had told the widow. Her industry
was proverbial.
"How shall l ever repay your said
Mrs. Walters. na TI as4
Don't speak Of it any more, never"
returned the lively French woman, in
her bewitching broken English.
But in August, young Mr.. Williston
was suddenly taken ill. He was at one
of the most aristocratic uptown hotels.
For week be did not call at Mrs. Walt
ers' house. Then the widow became
alarmed. The French woman was finally
prevailed upon to visit the young man.
She returned saying that be was very i'll
indeed, Of typhoid fever. A day or two
after q messenger from Williston in
formed her that he desired an interview
with Mrs. Walters. lie learned that he
was about to die. Some hing pressed
heavily upon his mind, and he could not
die happily until he was relieved by con-
Tossing to her. So Mrs. Walters went.
She asked Willard to accompany her, but
she could not. Indeed, she became very
pale, and trembled exceedingly when
she learned the perilous condition of the
Young man. Mrs. Walters found Willis
ton much changed. He was wan, thin,
eyes sunken, and cheeks flushed with
fever. a- ftHaff
After sending every one away, Willis
ton confessed to Mrs. Walters that he
had cruelty deceived her; that he had
long loved JeanRetts Willard; that she,
the gay FrenchwomaD, was his wife. That
he was soon to die was evident. Perhaps
il was for the best. But before he died
he must be forgiven by Mrs. Walters
must have her swear, upon bended knees,
that his wife and child should be her care
should never feel want-should become
as her own daughter and child. If she
would do this, he ceuld die happy. What
woman of Mrs. Walters mind and heart
would hesitateH 2 She forgave the decep-
tion-forgave him for making love TO her
when his heart and hand were not free to
be disposed of, and took q solemn oath
that Jeanuette Willard and the yet un-
horn child should be cared for as long as
she had q dollar. Williston shed tears,
and relspsed into Inconsistencies, from
which he was not soon recovered. Their
they parted, aud the widow returned to
her home. There she took the young
Freuchwoman to her heart, wept over
her, forgave her everything, and in-
formed her what she had promised her
husband on what she believed TO be his
death-bed. OF course, Jeanette Willard
was happy. OF course, both were happy.
Aud vet both were miserable.
The next day Williston died. The in
formation and previous excitement pros
trated Mrs. Walters, and she did not
attend the funeral. But Jeanette Vii
lard did. And she wore the deepest
mourning. Aud she evidently mourned
deeply and felt keenly the loss OF Willis
ton.
Following her generous impulses, Mrs.
Walters gave Mrs. Williston-who has
now become the mother Of healthy boy
--at the ST. Nicholas Hotel, in the pres
ence Of witnesses, at one time $4,000 in
money, aud at another S25,00O in i've
twenty bonds.
Strange 10 relate, however, one week
from the day whss e .ss : last presentation
was made, Mrs. Wil.iston and the child
went to ride OF an afternoon in Central
Park, and night came and they did not
return. Z. s.....7.5
They'll surely come on the morrow"
said Mrs Walkers. Aud she fairly weps