The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-06-20

Yes did know Joe Armsby-a reckless, dissipatc
fool. What could girl he who married him ~
know you VIII he delighted To make yourself agrccai
To dear Marion, and you can't help being charme
with her-she is so fascinating and brilliant
Fascinating and brilliant II there is anything
the world that hate 1t Is woman who is called bri
liant and fascinating. groancd In agony of spirit
But there was nothing for It but to hunt up 'iea
Marion, ~ see TO all her trunks satchels umbrellas
witt, poodles-see that she had comfortable seat an
was neither too cold nor too warm, had plenty q
books anil bananas, and above ALL beguile her sol
with small talk incessantly-your brilliant and ras
chatting woman always wants to talk.
Now perhaps yon may think, especially II you are
she, that was cynical old bachelor. was nothin
of the sort. The trouble was that had an ideal q
womanhool, and my sisters dear friends didn't con,
npto 1t. They were all women of the period. Abomi
nable expression, but more abominable things-a
least used to think My ideal was dove eyed
soft-voccd, little woman. with soft light hair no
conbcd 90 Madonnawse, and entirely superior {
the dictates of fashion In her dress. She wore plain
graceful, flowing robes and artistic combinations
color, but hounces overskirts and furbelows-
never!
Laura was accustomed to ask me, sarcasIcally,
ever expected 10 hnd this paragon of perfection
her?n
lean hardly say that did expect ever to find her
days lonely. forlorn, melancholy old bachelor
SIN, am only ihlrtythrce and had not quite give
up the search. But among Laura's friends sionl
never find her, that was certain. And this one was
widow-worsc and worse! But there was no need 70
me to "bevare of vd,lers.'' / had, naturally,
perfect horror of them not all tho widows In the mi
The Widow Arlnsby's photograph had dropped Il
the floor. 1t occurred 10 then, to see how sli
iookel-a rather necessary proceeding you will allow
II was to recognize her In crowded waiting room
hy that means. There was nothing particular abou
the face II was we'll shaped, and had pleasant ex
preston; the eyes and hair, fudge, were dark TN
hair was gotten up In the latest STYLE of course
cilmped and lrizzed and pulled and braided an,
curlcd, until the head looked like the tower of Babel
lynI ut In .,l All
the Widow Armsiy II saw her, and then put 1t II
my pocket, where should have II To look at TuesLa,
morning II should get puzzled
did get very much puzzled on Tuesday morning
The waiting-room was pretty well filled, but though
had thought the face such ordinary Uiie there wa
not lady there who at all resembed the picture.
took the photograph ont of my pocket and studied
inrtvely, until pair OF schoolgirls caught me at Il
and began to sigge after the manner Of the species
my eyes upon the Widow Arms,y's features-the,
never were more mistaken. 1 walked around III,
i"om and looked inquiingly at every woman VIII,
might possibly he supposed to he the Widow Arlnsby
Not one of them looked at all responsive. MY photo
graph had been forwarded to the Widow Armsby uut
rs 1t was striking likeness, glasses and a--se mus
have recognized me II she was there. made franti,
leap on board the last car Just AS 1t slipping ont
the depot, must hc on duty at Newport, widow OF
no widow.
My spirit rose | had done my duty, and vet wa
not birdened with the Widow ArnIsl,y Student,
an elegant embroidered little satchel with the ette
ON IL caught my eye. IL was hanging over the sea
In front of me. stood for Armsby: that was wI,a
attracted my attention. looked at It's owner: sl,,
was girl of the period, ~ there no question
about that. She had on what is called .stylisl
travelling dress, mass OF crinckled hair drawn down
over her forehead lite with bird swing on II sci
1auntily on topof heap of black bras aud pulls
Her profile was turned toward me- and could so,
that she had straight little and long lashes
scrntnized her face because thought she might be
the Widow Armshy and had not liked the looks nj
my photograph sufficiently well to wait for me-
SHE turned and looked at me, as was quite natural
But then, having looked once, she turned
suppose that was an unusual occurrence. am sup
posed to be particularly good-ookng man. and
young ladies' often look ut me twice; hut fancied
saw In her eyes sort of recOgnitiOn-brght MACK
eyes they Were. with saucy, make fun Of everything
sort of expression TO then-iot my dove eyed ideal In
any means! Bnt 1t might be Mrs XrmsLy; The features
were certainly not unlike hers; she might perhaps
make AN ordinary-looking picture, though those ives
We're by no means ordinary ~
But conldn't quite make mp mind TO speak 10 her
on tbs strength of an on her travelling bag, and
that might he purely imaginary. Re-
sides, II she We're the Widow Armsby she had given
me the slip. and wasn't Obliged To devote myself Ia
her. But did wish she wonld turn round once
more. She didn't however. She stuck her ticket In
her hat band-oh those "grl Of the period " ways.
My ideal could never he capable of sticking her ticket
In her hat band-and devoted herself to paper GOV
cred novel.
read my newspaper; II was singulary dun and
and favored II occasionally by glance
at straight little nose and long lasles wondered
il anybody beyond childhood had such long lasles
before but added them now to the sweet and sera-
pile face of my ideal.
suddenly she laid down her book and took a letter
from her pocket. leaned over and looked at the
because admired her eyellsles
You understand, but because she might he Mrs
Armsby; sure enough the letter was directed to
- Mrs. NJ hrmshy.' rose impulsiycy,
~ have tbs pleasure of speaking to Mrs Armsby.
! belieyeY IL hays your photograph. y (Those
'aucy black eyes were looking nercilessly straight at
me, and bltshel aud siaiunared like school ioy
81 expected To find You In The waiting room, Fl
nm very sorry to have missed yOn.'
'Yoii are Uncle John, then?'' she said, frankly
II daintily glovel hand.
why-why. yes; Brother Nel's Children call me
80 sonietimes.'' stammerci. wv
Uncle John sounds very old bacheIorisI Soma way
didn't fancy IT at all.
~ am so glad to have met yOu! dislike travelling
done so much! quite dreaded the journey. When
;Ou didn't come TO the hotel, thought something
must have prevented you from meeting me. i didn't
link of looking In the waiting room.h
AZ the hotel on that was so IKE Laura, thought
I, with smoihered eroan. She had not mentioned
,otei to me- and here was this charming little crca
ure thinking that had neglected herr
- II WAS bad enough coming an the WAY fro,
'hicago alone, she warbed on In such bird like
once might have called 1t yottiing, for she ana
ak u great deal but all! not now. Was il possIi,Ie
hat |, man of thirty three with AN ideal WAS NH,
ugated by pair OF saucy black eyes and some lonp
he periodP' Alas, could not tell. Some e Er, .,
lad certainly 'come over the spirit OF my dream 2,
am 50 imlalient to zee the dear children again.
Glossy is my especial fayorite. ~
Now AS my niece, Fiossy, had arrived at the ma
ure age of iive or six weeks, thought Mrs. Armsby
pleasure Of meeting my youthful reaiiye and mad In
heed, been apprsed only the day before that her name
vas Fiossy, J could nat he expected TO respond
cry cordially TO this sentiment.
couldn't he expected TO, say, but didi What
ointment wouldn't have responded 10, backed by
hose eyes and that bewichng smile (? ~
1.-THE loyeliesi of them ALI And such n sweet
amein murmured I, like aI imbeci0.
'Aud Nellie-isn't sle Il darlingf''
klFi,. Nall knt .l
IDLY one Of Laura's friends; didn't Remember AN
heir names. II wouldn't he safe for me 10 sv .h,,
vas "a darling upon uncertainties but ala ilink
safe to respond with some enthusiasm
"she's u very nice gri.''
Why, mean the little spiiz dugl'' We
ION, yes, oerainlyi very nice dog, - Hammered
inwardly cnrslhg my stupidity Ia not remembering
no name Of The wrelehed little beast thai was always
She talked about good many other peopls whose
ames didn't remember. How ! wished / had
AIKEN more Interest Ia Laura friends II they had
My been more like her shoud have had no occasion
on that regret.
took excellent care of her she said, with a bright
are OF her Alter we got over talking about our
mutual friends and on TO general subjects, i grew
radually more at ease; felt as II the hours Were
Tipping by In delightful dream.
1--WE are almost there, - she said sudtlenly
son, Newport Is good many miles away, YET
said almost wishing we might never get there, to
ave an interruption to this blissful dream.
'Newporty But am not going to Newport. are
ouY Thought you We're going directly to AIlce's.
he wrote me that You were. '
This was very bewllderlng. began 10 perceiye
hat there was mistake somewhere
~ don't know Alice said al am going to
,ewport TO meet my sister. i.aNra WHO wrote me
hat you were going there, TOO. ~
~ am going to K, TO visit my sister. who IA
iarred and lives there, and she wrote me that her
usband's uncle wonld come TO the hotel ior me
rent you Uncle J0hnY'
~ am Uncle John 10 my hroih0r's children,
ut not to your SISTERS husband, am afraid s,iu
oefully.
The black eyes danced like wiil-o' the wisps.
cts too funny for anything ~ she declared al
lought You We're very unlike Ella's description
Uncle John-so much younger than supposed he
as -
AZ this Interesting moment the ears stopped and The
Dnductor shouted - Ok