The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-08-20
HOYT & CO., Proprietors.
THE BEWITCH1NG WIDOW

Inst before dark one evening, Tom Coutena
came into the little Office where Frank worth.
;notou kept his dusty law books, and helped
himself to a chair and cigar, with quite
Observation-Disclosures sort of coolness which
showed him no stranger to the premises.
"Well, Frank" said he, eve got through the
last case to-day, and I'm ready to be off home
tomorrow. You promised to 60 with me re-
member"
ssNo need to remind me of it, old fellow, }"
laughed Frank. ssPve endured the horrors OF
boarding-hous too long not to jump at the
chance of country living awhile"
'sYou can be ready by morning."
ooh, yes 1t won't take long to PACK my
ket. haven't any Saratoga trunk to ill with
hounces and furbelows."
GAIL right, then. We shall have COUSIN OF
my mothers to go down with US"
ssThe deuce we shall Tom, if it's girl l
won't co. by George! I got enough OF travel
ing with girls last summer" >,
SYou will go! I will never forgive you If
you don't" .,
oIs the cousin of the feminine persuasion?"
ayes, but she is not girl She is a sedate
widow lady, who goes down to make an annual
visit to us every Christmas"
"Oh, that alters the case. One OF those
motherly, middle-aged ladies who makes a tel
dow look respectable, as if he was travelling
with his mother"
Tom repressed an inclination to laugh, and
replied, soberly: -,
ayes; no doubt Mrs. Cameron will appear
like mother TO both of us.
.Mrs. Cameron; a good old respectable name.
Has she any money, Tom"
"Well, yes, Z fair little fortune"
"And you may stand a chance in her Will
s'Possibly." 90.
eyes. Well, my boy, you are quite right to
be attentive to your mothers elderly relative.
No doubt Mrs. Cameron will be an addition to
our journey"
for him to get out of that office, where ne
could indulge in q laugh, and rising as ne
spoke: "Meet US at the depot at seven IN the
morning"
II will"
s'Sharp seven, remember"
eyes. And time and railroad cars wait tor
no man or woman, either. Depend on me,
Tom, and Just look after that elderly cousin"
isI'Il do it"
"Good night, then"
s'Good night, old fellow"
And as Tom went out, Frank arose, and be-
can to put his Office in order and make some
preparations for his Christmas journey.
He meant to be very early next morning, but
oversight himself, and reached the depot only
five minutes before train time. He went hasti-
" into the ladies room, supposing Tom would
be there with Mrs Cameron. There was, how
ever, but one occupant, bright-faced lady, in
o stylish black and white travelling suit, with
long white plume dropping over coquetlsh
black hat. She turned pair of saucy brown
ewes upon him as he entered, glanced around,
and beat hasty retreat.
"Whew what pretty girl Glad | don't
have her to dangle after and wait on" thought
he. "Where the dickens is Tom ?"
He hunted through the crowd, and just as
the train was about starting found Tom on the
platform.
ooh, here you are (! Be quick nowv' hailed
Tom. II though, you were about 10 give me
the slip, after ALL"
"No danger; slept late, that's all"
They went in the car, and the ponderous
wheels rolled off, and as they opened the door.
Frank got a glimpse of the pretty girl with the
white plume, seated inside.
"Did your cousin Gomez" he asked OF Tom.
eyes; I'll introduce you."
Tom marched straight down the narrow aisle
to that very girls seat, as she rose with be-
witching smile, he introduced:
MRS. Cameron, this is my friend, Mr.. Worth
ington. My cousin, Kate Cameron, Frank"
Poor Frank you might have Knocked him
down with a knitting needle But ne was gen
1leman enough to stammer some response to
the beautiful lady's courteous greeting and try
to recover from his confusion as best he might.
Half an hour later, he and Tom stood to-
pether on the car platform, and then his wrath
had vent:
"Tom Coutena I'll never forgive you"
ssYou will. I had to deceive you so that you
would not act like fool, and disappoint me of
your visit But Kate will neither eat you up
nor fall in love with you, SO you needn't be
scared"
"Dont expect me to pay attention to her."
"Hold on, there! She hasn't given you
chance yet. Kate is quite belle in city socI,
ETY., and awful particular in her company. Sad
dogs like you and 1 wouldn't stand a ghost of
chance"
"Humph 1 don't know that she could do
better p' growled Frank, instantly, with mans
usual contrariness taking the opposite track.
"She might think so. I'm going to the
smoking car, Frank. Come along?"
"No: I don't care about smoking now."
GAIL right. Just look after Kate till come
back, that's good fellow"
"Now, Frank had not the least intention of
looking after Kate, but when he approached her
seat she looked up with such frank, pleasant
smile, and moved her shawl from the opposite
seat to make room for him with such cordial
air, that he could not resist the temptation to
sit down and enjoy her society. Not much Of
it did he get, however, for, after the first pleas
ant reception, Mrs Kate betook herself to her
book again, and never even looked at him. By
way Of reyenging himself, Frank looked at
her, and the prettier she grew
'She's widow" he thought. "She's not
day over one-and-twenty, if she's that.
wonder if she is Toms sweetheart"
And strange to say, this reflection made
Frank feel like grinding his teeth at the un-
conscious Tom, who sat calmly smoking his
cigar in the smoking car.
The journey passed off without any incident,
and without Mrs. Kate troubling Frank in the
least for attention.
At the station they found a black boy await