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

the precise shade to show. off her clear
complexion, and the little knat of blue
ribbon at hor throat was the least bit
coquettish in its appearance. Hercurls
were tied up with ribbon of the same
pretty color, and the white rosebud
which she fastened over her pink ear
made her look as youthful as she did the
day she married Archie Deane,. six
years before. She sighed softly, when
she looked. at the plain wedding-ring
upon her finger. Archie had been dead
three years and over. ,,tyi, fl ,.t,,n -
= A step on the path ahnounce,l that
some one was coming. Pretty soon
some che knocked. She went to the
door, and admitted Mr.. Fields.
Il thought it was you,' she said
taking his hat. "Take the easy-chair,
Mr.. Fields. I'm ever so glad you came
over. I got SO lonesome, and little
sigh gave emphasis to the words.
Mr.. Fields sighed too. He got lone
some sometimes in his bachelor quar-
ters, but be wouldn't have dared to say
SO for the world, with the widows
bright eyes looking square into his
face l... I.-.5.u ....r.| 5..s
The widow sat down and chatted
away in her lively fashion. Mr.. Fields
kept watching her when he could do so
without her seeing him. Once she
looked up suddenly, and caught his
eyes fixed On her face, and then he
turned as red as the ten roses in the
window, and just the faintest tinge of
carnation came into her checks. It
made her look over SO much prettier,
Mr.. Fields thought. He almost wished
she'd look up again and catch him
watching her, if she'd blush in that
way. Innocent man! he never dreamed
that the widow was as we'll aware of
his cdmi,ins glanccs as he was! ''H
y" Oh! our game Of chess" cried the
widow, suddenly. 81 came near for
getting oil about it. Did you bring
the men and board, Mr.. Eields?" -4
II put them on the centre table,"
answered Mr.. Fields. 5-. .,'..
The widow fluttered about and go.
the chess-board and men, and drew her
chair up opposite Mr.. Fields.
"Ipromised to beat you," she said,
arranging the board on q little stand
between them. I'm going to do so
if I possibly can, Mr.. Fields" with an
arch glance into his face. Mr.. Fields
to be admiling her brown
curls as she looked up, and the fact
that she detected him in the act so dis
concerted him that he knocked over the
chess-mcn size had arranged, and then
he had to help her SET them again, and
their hand came in contact on the board;
the touch of the widows
plump white hand made him thrill all
over with the delightful sensation, and
he wondered, if the accidental touch
of her fingers affected him so delight
fully, what it must be to hold that hand
in his? Poor Mr.. Fields! He was very
deeply in love, but he didn't dare to
say so. ,...,. 49,, ,...,. .,s't,,
At length the board was arranged,
and they were ready to open the game.
"Oh!' cried the widow suddenly,
=" wouldn't it be nice to have q wager?
It would make the game SO much more
interesting! Don't you think SO, Mr..
Fields ?r'0ar,s a.. Snoi o,t @ol"sn 1i',
Mr.. Fields didn't know but it. would.
"I'lltell you whatY' said the widow,
'blushing like a gilly-hower pink, and
looking every bit as sweet, Mr.. Fields
thought; "I rend story not long ago
about two persons laying On o wager,
and the stake was kiss! Now, I'll
agree to kiss you if you beat, and if
I beat, you shall kiss me! Isn't that
fair?'' -.'i ..,.,.... .5,>rs,-' .Sot,
"Yes," stammered Mr.. Fields, {" but
but I am afraid you'll beatra h7e'i
why, then you'll have TO kiss me.
that's all,' laughed the widow. IF
you beat, I'd just as lief kiss you as not.
AS likely as not you'll beat me-" sEaa
"Well, I---I'll take the wager" an
swered Mr. Fields in desperation.
And SO the game commenced. If
ever he played to win, it was then.
There was something very fascinating
about the idea of kissing the widow,
but he didn't believe he could isuster
up courage enough to- do it, If H. won
the game. He much preferred that she
should kiss him. He could stand it