Connecticut western news., 1877-04-20
IAN. CONN, FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1877.
THE LITTLE WIDOW IN
 NlAUVE.

In one of the rooms of the St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, young lady was reclining on a lounge. As soon as the porter had deposited her trunks, shawls and belongings, she changed her travel ing dress for light dressing-gown, and again threw herself upon the sofa.
 ''Send word to MT. George" she said to the chambermaid, "that my head is so much worse that I will not go down to dinner, nor can I see him again this evening""
 The girl went and soon returned with a message from MT. George, that he, too, was little ailing-that he had sent for cup of tea and piece of toast, and that he would retire early.
 Miss Woodville-that was her name let her thoughts run, and they started of thus:
 "Poor, grave, serious George! ex- pect he is rather glad than otherwise to be excused from entertaining friv- olous little creature like me. Now he can retire early to his hearts content, l u toast, like Miss Nancy, as he is What humdrum man he is! supposed he should be liked because he is SO very good. But how Maria can think of marrying him is more than can tell. When my time comes, don't want a middle-aged church-warden like Mr.. George. Give me young man, who is not saint on earth, and I'll answer for himv'
 Her reverie on the young man who would not set himself up as "gruel- and-grits" Christian went on and on until she fell asleep, which was the very best thing she could do for her headache.
 She is petite, pretty and interesting. But am not going to describe droop- ing eye-lashes and retrousse nose. will not argue the question whether her hair is reddish-gold or goldfish red, for her looks have very little to do with my story.
 Miss Woodville is travelling with MT. George because he is engaged to marry her best friend, Maria Mears, and she is to be bridesmaid-they are on their way to MT. Mears' house, where they are tospend three weeks previous to the wedding.
 They have reached New Orleans, where they are to stay over night, and then in the morning take the cars for Mearsdale, which is about seventy-five miles from the city.
 When Miss Woodville awoke, she would have found herself in complete darkness had it not been for the faint streak of gaslight which came in over the top of the door.
 "What so late thatthe gas is lighted! she exclaimed.
 She indulged in two or three yawns and stretch to wake herself thoroughly and then she struck match and looked at her watch.
 "Can it be possible that it lacks only a few minutes to clever? ?" she cried ; ''yet stay! What is that I hear Music at this late hour ?"
 She went to the door and listened
 ''Music and dancing, do declare This must be very gay place!" and away went little Miss Woodville waltz ing around her room to the sound of the violins down stairs.
 She peeped out into the hall. No one was to be seen.
 "Everybody is down stairs, and feel so lonesome!" She leant over the bal ustrade of the staircase. Along with the entrancing music and even tread of feet came the subdued murmur of of the dancers merry voices.
 First one little slippered foot and then her other became uneasy, and Miss Woodville actually ran to her room for fear they would.get the better of her, and make her go whirling around the hall.
 But in five minutes she was out again. She traversed the intricate windings of the hotel corridors, and at last suc- ceeded in finding "bell-boy" snoozing in corner. The magic touch of money aroused him from his dreams of broken bell-wires.
 From him she learned that some be- neyolent society was giving ball for a charitable purpose in the rooms of the hotel.
 But what impressed her most was the information that it was masked affair
 ''Boy, run quick, and send cham bermaid to number forty-six," Miss oodville commanded; and then said, under her breath: "Why not have half
 hours fun?''
 All trace of headache had disappeared indeed she was under the influence o1 reaction that made her brilliant. There was whispering and money. changing hands-running here and there-more whispering and perhaps more money. and at length the maid might have been heard to say: s'Miss, Pm afraid you'll think il rather somber- r-looking, but it is the only one the costumer had left. The domino is mauve silk trimmed with swans down, and the mask is black lace." Just half an hour from the time she awoke, hidden under the disguise jus described, Miss Woodville entered the ball l-room.
 The revelry was at it's height. The music was fascinating, the dancing the most animated, and the throng full O merriment.
 The little mauve domino seemed shy and, if the truth had been known, was half inclined to fly from the scene sht had entered so rashly. To what end her wavering doubts might have led her cannot be told, fol she had not stood in the doorway two , seconds, before gentleman, unmasket like most of the men in the room