Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-04-04
TEN DAYS IN LOVE.

TEN DAYS IN LOVE.
1t was a cold night in January. Peo-
pie were hurrying along through the
binding snow-stOrm. battling with the
wind that howled and moaned out by
turns its story of woe.
Hugh Remington and his friend WILL
Jams. glad to be out of the storm,
had settled themselves in gown and
slippers tor a quiet evening at home.
The shutters were closed and the cur
tains drawn, and on either side of the
hearth was placed the favorite chair of
each. These friends had lived togeth-
er in their bachelor quarters for more
than two years. Everything in the
apartment showed refined taste and
wealth. Some said that it all belonged
to Hugh, and that he made it a home
for his friend. No one, however, knew
this to be true. Hugh was quiet and
reserved, seldom spoke of his affairs to
anyone, never laid any special claim
to anything, but allowed it to appear
that all things were equally shared.
After the evening papers had been read
and discussed, the two sat talking of
days gone by, of little episodes in their
lives. Hugh was in a talking mood,
and had told several good stories of
his past life; stopping suddenly, he ex-
claimed:
Did ever tell you of my love for
the widow?"
"No," replied Williams. Let's
have it"
"Well," said Hugh, taking another
cigar, and looking very serious as he
leaned back in his great easy chair, I
met her in Paris"
MET whoP''
"Oh, never mind who. Be content
that am telling you the story, and
don't ask for names. l thought of her
as the widow 1t is a sufficient title. -
"Well, won't interrupt Go on. -
So Hugh continued:
81 was calling upon my old friend,
Mrs. Lee, and while waiting for -
servant to take her my card, a,
piece of bric-a-brac standing p
corner of the room attracted
ton. got up and went over,
inc it. While thus engaged, the dion
opened. turned, thinking that it was
oAAD. ACCs MACEts OA- " AAelb a DCoAgI A1Ol
my sight, so small that she looked like
a child. large, deep blue eyes that came
out from under mass of light, golden
curls, small nose, and rosebud of a
mouth. She was dressed in deep
mourning, and thought, as l looked
at her. that ] had never seen a more
beautiful picture. She didn't see me
until | made slight movement, which
startled her. Coming orTard, l said;
- frightened you, did l notP'
"'Yes; 1 was not aware that there
was anyone in the room. You are
waiting for Mrs. Lee?' And she gave
me the sweetest of smiles, showing a
most perfect row of teeth.
"Before l could answer, Mrs. Lee
appeared, and introduced US. Mrs.
= was making Mrs. Lee a short visit
prior to her departure for America. l
was glad of that, as should then have
the pleasure of seeing her again.
"The evening passed only too quick
ly, and arose with an apology for stay
ing so late. Mrs. Lee invited me to
dine with them, informally, the next
day. She said her friend preferred
being quiet, SO they should be quite
alone. You may be sure that accept
ed the invitation, and was there prompt
ly at the hour. The widow was more
charming than on the previous even.
ing. longed to stop the hours from
rolling on. Having been in the habit
of dropping in al Mrs. Lees at all
hours, my frequent, almost daily, visits
were not noticed as any thing strange or
unusual. Mrs. Lee thanked me for
coming to them in their loneliness, and
the widow would give me one of her
sweet smiles, and was thankful in my
inmost heart that they were lonely, and
that it fell to my lot to cheer them. So
the weeks passed, until the time came
for the departure of Mrs. Lees friend.
"Now, / had intended passing q
month or two in England before COM
ing home, but when found that the
widow was to return in ten days, be-
gan to think that my duty called me
back to my business. The more I
thought of it, the more important it
seemed to me to go.
DO you know of anyone going on
the fifteenth?" the widow asked me,
one evening, in her dove-like way.
"'N No one but myself l answered.
Business has called me sooner than 1
expected
"'How delightfulr from the widow;
while Mrs. Lee exclaimed, ooh, Mr..
Remington, l am so gladl couldn't
bear theidea Of my friend going entirely
alone, and you of all others will know
best how to take care of her.
''We then began to make our plans.
Mrs. - intended making a visit of q
few days to some friends in London. l
was going direct to Liverpool. Mrs.
Lee and drove down to see our friend
off, and looked forward to the pleas
ure of meeting her on board the steam
er. My last days in Paris were spent
in saying 'good-by' to old friends, and
buying presents for Sister Nell and the
children. got every 11ouUeGSLte that
could find, and fell well pleased with
my selection. At last I was on the
steamer, and stood looking at the ship
move away. By my side was the
widow, and l thought that had never
seen her look Sd lovely. I exulted in
the knowledge that she knew no one
on board. Twas her only friend, con-
B6qu6uIly / SuOulu udfO nCI 14A W Ii =
sell; this was $50 | saidto myself) what
I had for weeks been longing for. Was
1 in loveP That question had not oc-
Cured to me. l felt supremely
happy, and thought the situation de-
lightful. l was ready to do anything
for this fair creature. She had only tc
command; L was all eagerness to obey.
1 soon had opportunities of showing
my devotion.
1.-THE following morning came out
on deck very early, and was surprised
to find my little lady 'hgldy there.
She looked very miseraJ.e and Uery
pretty. The morning salutations over,
/ asked her how she had slept.
"' haven't slept at ALL she said, in
a fretf1l, childish way, which thought
charming. 'Such a noise all night,
she continued, could not get to sleep
and the smells are simply dreadful. ]
must have another room. I'd rather
sit up here all night than sleep in that
horTid place again. Don't you think,
Mr.. Remington, if you asked the Cap.