West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-02-28
The Widows WileS.


Inn, when who should alight from the old
stage but his friend, Harry Coleman. There
was hearty greeting; each had surprised
the other by his selection of this rustic re
treat.
Come" said Coleman, ''tell me who
she is. Some rustic beauty III venture.
with cheeks like blush roses
"Ha, hal" laughed Paul did the
green-eyed monster inform you that was
trespassing on your rights7"
Harry, with a mischievous twinkle in his
eyes, answered: 81 have run down at the
solicitation of little cousin of mine Come,
get off that hunting regalia and will pre-
sent you to the sweetest little cousin in the
world"
Paul drawled listlessly "wel, any
thing for a changel"
Good-natured Coleman was used to his
friends manner and only quickened his
pace when once they had started. They
approached the farmhouse as the twilight
descended.
''Good evening, gipsy!" said Harry. rais-
ing his hat. ''You see | have kept nv
word" He FASTENED towards the old swing
gate to receive the merry greeting awaiting
him, then said, gaily, II found my dearest
friend at the inn, and have brought HIM
with me. Miss Jardine-Mr. Carroll"
Paul opened his keen gray eyes a triAe
wider to discern the young girl in the com
ing shadow; her mellow, rich voice fell
upon his ear so harmoniously and musical
ly, that he tried TO hear what was said
This much he did hear, as she tripped
ahead, leaning on her cousins arm, and
talking in an undertone: 81 detest that
dearest friend of yoursl He has shot all
my pet squirrels"
Tia, hal" laughed Coleman. Yes, he is
a cruel fellow; look out for him"
Well did Anna Jardine remember those
warning wordsl
The family and visitors formed a pleasant
group. Paul tried his best to define the
peculiar charm Of this girl She avoided
him; that he knew, and there was a novel
ty in the fact. She was young and culti-
waited, not beautiful, but with a presence
bewitching and piquant. She seems ab-
stracted, not entering into the general CON
Versation; but as she raised the shy brown
eyes there was language in them that en-
tered his heart.
One by one the rest stroIed out. Paul
walked to the piano and, turning over the
music, found the popular songs of the day.
"Will you sing, Miss JaTdine7" he said.
almost implonngly
piled with his request The sweet CON
trslto, with its soul stirring pathos, was too
grand for commonplace thanks
Paul Carroll and Anna Jardine had been
betrothed one year. He had won her by
his deep, idolatrous love, and she had en-
throned him king-her first love and her
last.
Paul Carroll was one of the guests at the
mansion of Anna's aunt, where she was
spending the winter in the gay metropolis,
and grand dinner was given in his honor.
The bewitching woman on the barrister's
right had suddenly, like some great light.
burst upon the fashionable world. A widow
and blonde A woman i'm her early tbir-
ties, with soft blue eyes that knew now TO
send every glance with power. She had
come among them with reports Of unbound
ed wealth
Paul Carroll seemed completely captiva-
ted by her fascnations, careless of the suf-
fe'ing he was inflicting upon one constant,
true soued woman.
Tonight, for an instant, he mentally
contrasted the two, and on a sudden inn
pulse drank 20 the health of his betrothed.
The sudden shock to Mira L'Estrange's feel
ings was beyond description. She was foil
ed
When he led her to the piano, and solic-
lied farewell, she sang vocal waltz; the
brilliant air fell fatty on his ear; there was
20 reponse In his heart TO the words sbe
sang at him.
''Ah! fly TO the one most dear"
He followed his betrothed to her hiding
place In yonder alcove, and she, crimsoning
like rose with Joy, looked his forgiveness,
andithey were one in heart again.
Two years passed. Summer with its
dreamy days and shifting shadows, had
come once more, Two years had been
century in Annals life; within the brown
eyes was written, "Life is earnest and
there were tcll-tale lines that lay in broken
bars over the fair, girlish brow Not. how
ever, that Paul Carroll neglected any of sle
great items that 60 80 far with the world AZ
regarded bis wife's happiness.
Carroll was lOuuging on the steps Of a sea
side hotel with a friend, who remarked,
Have you seen her-the new -cOmer2 She
gets up stunningy, I assure You. But talk
OF angels and they are unfolding their pin
ions, for here she comes"
he rose with a courtly bow to the maQni-
ncently-dressed lady coming toward them.
But, 70 his surprise, Mrs. LEstrange ooolly
nodded and rustled on.
CsrrolPs face, 81 all times a puzzle. now