The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-18

his mamma had said; there vas net !
another room to be had, SO ! put Willie
dowa for = comfortable berth, and re-
ported accordingly, once mere receiv:
ing profusion of thanks in return: We
went in to supper together, and my
heart glowed with happiness when
discovered that the beautiful widow
had no mock delicacy on the subject Of |
my paying the bill. Shortly after, she |
went with her boy to inspect the place
where he was to pass the night. They
were gone some time, and when they
did return discovered Ill extraordi-
nary change. The lad had evidently
been weeping; in fact, he still held =
handsome white cambria pocket-hand-
kerchief to his eyes. His mothers face
was suffused; she, too. occasionally
used her handkerchief. Positively, she
was the image Of grief and despair. l
at once asked the cause of these un.
happy demonstrations.
"'Oh = she exclaimed, could you but
see the horrible spot where they were
going to put Willie-such wretehed,
dirty, dismal place! It just broke the
poor boys heart. No, my dear, you
Shall not go there. Hero is a sofa right
by mamma s stateroom. You shall lie
on it,
''The fact is I had secured my state.
room when purchased my ticket, be-
fore leaving Boston. If there is any
one thing am specially avcrse to, it is
the sharing room with another person.
Up to now, Notwithstanding my sym
pathy in her distress, l had resolutely
kept silent through all the talking on
the train about poor Willie and how he
was to sleep. But with the grieyed
look and unhappy expression OF this
lovely creature before me, how could l
longer refrain? Come l said, Il can
put an end to this difficulty. The
young gentleman can share my room.
Don't say a word. He can do so as
we'll rs not The widows smiles were
radiant through her tears; Willie him.
self looked up from his white cambria
handkerchief and said, 'Thank you,
SIR l took him off directly and put
him in the room, and hurried back to
receive fresh thanks from mamma.
1T was lovely moonlight night,
and escorted her to a seat on the
promenade deck, and took one beside
her. Nv heart beat nervously when /
found had her all to myself. If l
ever was happy in my life, it was OIL
that evcntful evening. was not at all
surprised to find the lady exceedingly
well.inforned, and very agreeable in
conversation. The absence of her little
boy las she called him) made her moro
reserved (which I was pleased to no.
tice). She did not run on with the
same volubility, but rather waited fol-
INC tc'start topics of conversation, which
lent an additional charm, if that were
possible, to her presence. We talked
about everything; upon every subject
she seemed equally at home. What de-
lighted me most was that she did moi
volunteer her opinions or sentiments
but permitted me to draw them out
exhibiting, as l thought, more and more
Of modesty and reserve as we became
better acquainted. discovered in the
course Of conversation, that she hac
Travelled, and, as I myself am an ole
roy1geur, we found an agreeable sub
ject in talking OF places and incidents
with which both were familiar. Sh,
had been up the Nile; so had I. She
had been through the Suez canal; so hat
I. She had visited the Holy Lane
even as myself had done. Indeed, o,
comparing dates, we discovered thai
we were there the same identical sea
son, and the same month. who know
but we encountered each other goin!
up the Mount of Olives!'
"'I am certain we did not" she re
piled.
"'But why?' asked.
"'I am sure ! should have recollectct
you! she exclaimed, impulsively. Thel
instantly checking herself she added
4 have an extraordinary faculty fo
remembering faces, which at times i
almost annoying.
"Was / mistaken? Did the moon
light deceive me? think not. Ever
now l feel confidence that l detectet
bushes over her face, and an almos
imperccptible confusion of manner a
she fastened to make this explanation
The subject was changed to home top
les; to matters of society, fashion; tt
\ discussion of city life and countr,
life. In all the conversation, not on
word was uttered by this charming
young woman about her irreparabl
} loss, her lonely condition or her altere,
circumstances. She did not indulge i,
that touching small talk which som
widows SO profusely employ to interes
IND engross an admirer. Had it moi
been for her volubility in making ex
} plantations Of her reasons for residin,
in Brooklyn, coul not have brough
myself to the belief that she was
widow at all. Her previous manner,
; confess, when ] thought of it, did graf
a little on my feelings, but my persona
vanity--and don't deny l have 10,
share-invented solution. This Lowell!
young woman had been--ahem !-take1
with me at first sight, and she deter
mined honorably, very honorably,to OK
plain her own situation at the outset
6rutaleme'at, as the French say. Henc
her haste to make the revela lion. I,
J fine, l could now perceive plainl,
that her almost loquaeiou
; manner was due entirely t.
her feeling i'll at case in my presence
, and it was not till we began to. be bet
ter acquainted that she appeared he
true self. Happy in this explanation
. the moments sped fast. As one by on
t quilted the deck with tho advance Q
the evening, observed my companio
glance timidly around, and, when tn
I the only remaining lady, (beside her
. self,) left, she also rose, in a quiet
: dignified way, and said it was late
| fhan cha Ge