The Republican journal., 1881-06-30
A Sea-Dream.

"A S6a-Dr6am.
HOW HE FOOLED HIMSELF AND BLAMED THE
WIDOW.
Hugh was in talking mood and had
told several good stories of his past life ;
stopping suddenly. he eXclaimed
"Did | ever tell you of my love for the
widow p
no." replied Williams, "Let's have
"Wen,7 said Hugh, taking another
cigar and looking very serious as he
leaned back in his great easy chair. 81
met her in Paris
MET who ~
"Oh, never mind who. BE content that
| am telling you the story, and don't ask
for names. | thought Of her rs the
widow 1t is sufficient title"
"Well, won't interrupt Coon
SO Hugh continued:
Il was calling upon my Old friend Mrs.
Lee, and while waiting fer the servant to
take her my card, an odd piece of bric-a-
brac standing i'll the corner of the room
attracted my attention. | got up and
went over to examine it. While thus en-
gagged, the door opened. turned, think
ing that it was Mrs. Lee, when, oh what
a beauty met my sight so small that
she looked like child, large deep blue
eyes that looked out from under a mass
OF light golden curls, a small nose, and a
rose bud of a mouth. She was dressed
in deep mourning, and [ thought as
looked at her, that | had never seen a
more beautiful picture. She didn't see
me until made slight movement, which
startled her. Coming forward, said
81 frightened you, did not ?
''l es; | was not aware that there was
any one in the room. You are waiting
for Mrs. Lee > And she gave me the
sweetest of smiles, showing Il most perfect
row of teeth.
'Betore | could answer, Mrs. Lee ap-
peared and introduced us. Mrs. - was
making Mrs. Lee short visit prior to her
departure for America. | was glad Of
that, as should then have the pleasure
of seeing her again.
The evening passed only too quickly
and arose with an apology for staying
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 | accepted the invitation, and was
there promptly at the hour. The widow
was more charming than on the previous
evening. | longed to stop the hours roll
ing on. Having been in the habit of drop
ping in at Mrs. Lees at all hours, my
frequent almost daily-vsts were not
noticed as anything strange or unusual.
Mrs. Lee thanked me for coming to them
hn Il
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 a month
or two in England before coming home,
but when | found that the widow was to
return in ten days, began to think that
my duty called me back to my business.
The more thought of it the more impor-
tant it seemed to me to go.
"Do you know of any one going on the
18th ?" the widow asked me, one evening,
in her dove-like way.
"No one but myself" / answered,
"Business has called me sooner than | ex-
pected"
"How delightful" from the widow
while Mrs. Lee exclaimed, ooh, Mr.. Rem
ngton, am so glad. couldn't bear the
idea Of my friend going entirely alone, and
you Of all people will know best how to
take care of her"
We then began to make our plans. Mrs
- intended making a visit Of few
days to some friends in London | was
going direct to Liverpool. Mrs. Lee and
| drove down to see our friend off, and
looked forward to the pleasure of meeting
her on board the steamer. My last days
in Paris were spent in saying ''good-bye'
to old friends, and buying presents fol
sister Nell and the children. | got every
noureaute that could find, and felt well
pleased with my selection. At last was
on the steamer, and stood looking at the
ship move away. BY my side was the
widow, and I thought | had never seen
her look so lovely. l exulted in the
knowledge that she knew no one on
board. | was her only friend, consequent
ly soon had opportunities of showing my
devotion.
The following morning | came out Oh
deck very early, and was surprised to fine
my little lady already there. She looked
very miserable and very pretty. The
morning salutations over, | asked hel
how she had slept.
Il haven't slept at all" she said, in q
trettul, childish way, which | thought
charming. 'Such noise all night" she
continued, 81 could not get to sleep; anC
the smells are simply dreadful. | must
have another room. Id rather sit up here
all night than sleep in that hO,vM place
again. Don't you think, Mr.. Remington
if you asked the captain or somebody, he
would give me another stateroom ?" an(
her big eyes looked inquiringly into mine
"Certainly,"I said. ~ will 60 at once
and see about it, and if there is no other
you shall change with me. Take my
room, which is good one, and as dom
mind either noise or smells, your room
will suit me well enough"
"The next thing | discovered was thai
my lady had no sea chair. There was
only one left and that had been spoker
for; but | paid double the amount, an(
the chair was mine.
"You are so kind, Mr.. Remington" she
said. 81 don't know what should have
done without you. am not fit to trave
alone," she added in childish tones.
~ longed to press her to my heart an(
tell of nay love; and if she would but lie
me, it would be the joy of my life to care
for her. | looked all this; | am sure
did. But there we're too many people
around for me to speak. She sat will
her hands folded in her lap, and lookeC
divinely unconscious.
"The third day out the weather became
bitterly cold.
"I am almost frozen, said Mrs. -
what shall do? have nothing to wral
around me, and shall have to stay below
and, oh dear! 1t is so uncomfortable
theren The face turned up to mine wa
that of spoiled child.
"Now | had fine English rug, whicl
| had used at night, for you know every