Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-09-28
TILE WIDOWS WAGER.

| NldOW Deane sat ut the front window
OF her little parlor one morning, busy
wI.a some kind of fancy-work which
showed off her plump, well-shaped
hands, with the wedding ring sparkling
on her left one, to the best advantage.
She was very pretty widow, and no
one was better aware of the fact than
she was. Her snug fitting dress set off
rs plump and trim a figure as any in
Downsborough, and nowhere in the
whole neighborhood could you find
brighter pairtof brown eyes, or more
kissable, charming face. wonder why
young widows are always pretty and
charming? No matter how plain they
may be before their husbands &c 20 the
way of all flesh, - stfni ahtway after that
event takes place, and they come out
in black dresses and the other etceteras
of q mourning toilet, they are voted be-
witching and 50 pretty! It is strange
that such should he the case, but it
seems to be the effect which widowhood
has on them.
| Widow Deane heard steps coming
down the road, and, leaned out to see
who was going by just as man came
opposite her gate,
-" Is that you, Mr.. Fields?" she called
out cheerily.. "Good morning pleas
mt weather, isn't it, after the shower
last night?"
Beautiful" stammered Mr.. Fields,
blushins up as delightfully."- as woman
could have done, and appearing as awk-
ward as an overgrown schoolboy Oh his
first morning at school.
Won't You come in" asked the
widow smiling very sweetly, as she
brushed back her curls, which would
persist in falling about her rosy face i'll
the, most charming confusion, as she
leaned out of the window. ,+a0
IL can't this morning." stam-
mcred lIr. Fields. I'D like to"
with look full of bashful admiration
into Tie widows pretty face. g but I'm
rather i'll u hurry, you SEQ. ..
"Come in this evening, then" urged
the widow" can't you? It's real lone
some. I wish YOU would, now, really
Mr.. Fields
I'll willw answered Mr.. Fields.
"Ill bring my chess-board and men
along, if you've no objections, Mrs.
Deanc."
"I should be delighted to have you"
answered the widow, smilingly. I'm
sure can beat you, Mr.. Fields"
"I shouldn't wonder" answered Mr..
Fields. "I-I'm no match for wo-
men, =" he added with very rosy face,
and wondering how lie was ever bold
enough to say it. ISL.
"Oh. yor naughty manw cried tie
widow. II shall beat you, just to pay
you for that! See if dontv'f 'fec a
II dare say" responded Mr.. Fields,
as lie bowed good-morning. What q
charming creature she is, he thought,
as he passed on. "Fd be perfectly
happy if she was Mrs. Fields" Here
he had to blush at the idea of any
woman's being Mrs. Fields. 81 do be-
lieve she likes me, but wouldn't dare
to ask her, for anything. Every time
I think. Of such thing, my heart
thumps just like a trip-hammer against
my ribs. IL wish the women had
their rights Then they'd have to do
their share of popping the question,
and the like. What if Martha Jones,
or Miss Spooner, or some Of them old
maids should take it into their heads to
ask fellow to have them? and of
course they would! Good gracious!
I'd never dare to tell them no! and I'd
sooner be in the bottom Of the Gulf of
Mexico than to have ony Of themg'
Mr.. Fields broke out in cold per-
spiration all over at the bare idea. ,.
| t3sLA .VIti lA ~ "a - '+'-
"Whata funny mani said the pret-
ty widow to herself. with q soft little
laugh, as Mr.. Fields went down the
road. TIM sure he'd like to ask me to
be Mrs. Fields, if he dared to, but
he hasn't spunk enough. How lie does
blush when I look at him! I came
near laughing in his face, he looked SO
confused. I like him ever SO much,
and I don't think I'd answer him no, if
he asked me q certain question, but !
don't believe he could muster up cour-
age enough to ask it, ! don't see why
he need be so bashful TIM sure I'm
not at all digni6ed and distant" 3s1