The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-05-08
THE WIDOWS sTRATAGEM.

very sweet voice indeed
Happy fellow whoever he may be, .
said her pretty cousin. How about
Fred Wright, Mamie 2"
Nonsense, Zoe. Fred is cured of his
love for me since-well, since i threw
him over and married Tom Hastings for
his money-there, it's all out now. L
shall never marry, not but that there's
plenty to take me rs soon as they find
out just what Pm worth in dollars and
cents. Ginger! 1 wonder if it's any
body's business il do live in style and
wear diamonds. Fathers business, for
sooth And Pm called shoddy on ac-
count of it. Pshaw l am bored to
death among this turned-up nose set of
gossips."
81 have learned that Fred Wright
has returned to New York, and ia n
bachelor STILL" replied her cousin
" Moreover, he has heard of Mr.. Hast
hGg's death; and now that he knows
yoS are gay and saucy widow, 1 sup
pose he will be hunting you up"
Mamie laughed, much as a brown
linnet sings.
s. Come here, Zoe, and sit on this foot
stool at my feet, >" she said. Then when
Zoe was ready to listen, she put her
cherry lips close to her ear, and thus
they whispered together for some time;
then Zoe, jumping up,clapped her hands
and laughed SO that one might have
sleacd her half mile off.
Nov that 1 have showed you my
trump card" said the widow, "can 1
depend upon your fidelityy"
" Do look Ikea person who stands
in shoes made of crocodile +? You may
trust Zoe"
A few weeks after this conversation
took place Mrs. Hastings and her cousin
were living in an elegantly furnished
house in the upper part of the city of
New York-her widows weeds were
cast aside, and she looked bewitching in
fancy toilets.
Heart and soul she loved Fred Wright
but he was only clerk, with a moderate
salary, at Stewards. Rich clothes and
elegance seemed so desirable to Mamie,
so that when the wealthy Tom Hast
fngs, captivated by her hazel eyes and
cherry lips, proposed, he was accepted.
In exchange for the loving heart of a
true man, she accepted a little insight
cant one for whom she did not care fig,
u fine mansion, a carriage with high
stepping bays, and plenty of money to
support extrayagant habits and tastes.
Now, that Tom Hastings was cold in
his grave, would her former lover re-
turn to her ? She hardly hoped for so
much happiness - and if he should,
would not her wealth be the chief at
traction? So judging Fred by herself,
she concluded that he would be like all
the rest, "on the make"
Nevertheless, what delicious bit of
comfort it would be to find that he loved
her after ALL
Meantime, Fred learned that his old
sweetheart was in the city. He had not
forgotten her by any means, although
five long years had passed, and now he
yearned for a glimpse of the fair widow
Not that he would marry one who had
proved herself so mercenary and heart
less. Oh, no but he would like to
show her that he was cured of his folly.
So he searched everywhere, and at last
his perseverance was rewarded, for one
day he saw her sitting at an upper win
dow.
Forgetting his previous resolutions,
the very sight Of his lady-love more
beautiful than ever, caused his heart to
beat violently: his feet no less nimble,
carried him across the street; and up the
broad stone steps, and in another mo-
ment he was sitting in the parlor,
waiting to see Mrs. Hastings.
But when looking around, he saw the
magnificence and elegance of the house,
his heart sank like lead-he remembered
that he was only poor clerk. If Nam
nie had not loved him when she was a
penniless girl, what could he expect
now, that she was rich widow
While he was indulging in these
gloomy reflections, she entered, and
greeted him, all smiles and blushes.
My old friend Nannie!" he exclaim-
ed, joyfully; d" but what is the meaning
of this 2" he said, pointing to thecrutch
upon which she was leaning.
"Ohl Mr.. Wright haven't you
heard of my misfortune / was thrown
from my carriage about three years ago,