The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-11-21
THE WIDOW S WELCOME.

MIS-. Piercy was not in a good hu
NOR that day, as she sat at the break
fast table pouring coffee for her hus
band, and dispensing bread and but
ter to the three plump little Pier
cy's.
She was a handsome, overdresseC
woman with a good deal of falls,
hair, frizzed and puffed and braided
on the top of her head, and a com
plexion that bore remote witness tc
the constant use of cosmetics.
And Mr.. Piercy, at his end Of the
table, was evidently i'll at ease. as he
broke his egg and nibbled diligently
at his roll.
But what was to do, my dear I?
said he, after brief silence which
was by no means peaceful.
DO I? shrilly retorted Mrs. Piercy,
why, what do other people do? ?
Are we to keep home for the indi.
gent poor? Or refuge for the wid.
owed and fatherless p
MY dear, my DEAR pleaded Mr.
Piercy, who was small man with
thin hair and spectacles, you may
be a widow yourself some day
And if | am, l shall not 60 beg
ging among my relatives, that you
may depend on, said Mrs. Piercy.
And after all, she isn't any relative
of yours, only your brothers wife
I'd like to know what earthly claim
she has upon you. / declare, the
more l think of it the more l am
amazed at the woman's presump-
ton. Her very name is an aggrava-
ton, too. Plume Percy indeed.
III wager my new lace pin that she
was a second rate actress when she
married your brother. No, Mr..
Piercy, if you think that L
But here the torrent of the lady s
eloquence was cut short by the un-
expected appearance on the scene of
the very subject of her objurgation,
a tall, pretty woman, of about four
and twenty. whose wavy, golden
tresses and delicately fair complex
ion contrasted vividly with the deep
mourning weeds she wore.
"A veil down to her feet mentally
calculated Mrs. Abel Piercy. And
a six inch bias band of the very best
Courtland Grape on her gown. /
wonder who's expected to pay for all
this?'
Abel Piercy. the kindest hearted
of little men, welcomed his brothers
widow with genuine hospitality, but
Matilda, his wife, looked askance at
her, with no friendly smile upon her
countenance.
OF course. you will consider this
your home, said Mr.. Piercy, as he
made haste to draw a chair close to
the fire.
Until YOU are able to suit your
self somewhere else,' crisply added
his wife.
The widow said little; she only
looked, with large wistful eyes, from
one to the other, as she sat there,
the morning sunshine turning
ing her fair locks to braided masses
of gold, the pearly delicacy of her
skin arousing the liveliest envy in
Mrs. Abel's heart.
Though, of course, it's only some
French balm, or Cireassiam cream
or other, that ! haven't heard Of
said she, to herself.
But after Mr.. Piercy had buttoned
on bis overcoat and gloves, he came
back to the breakfast room, while
his wife was putting up the chill
drenis school lunches in the little
pantry.
I'm not much of a talker, Plume
said he, in an odd, hesitating way,
but you are welcome, nv dear, very
welcome. And / hope you will try
to feel at home. Don't mind Matil-
da, just at first. She's little pecul-
lar. Matilda is, but do assure you
She
Msr. Piercyp uttered a sharp,
warning voice at this instant, from
the threshold, is it possible you
haven't started yet Z? And you know
how particular Bulge & Bodley are
as to your getting to to the store at
nine precisely
Mr.. Piercy turned pink all over.
Yes, my dear, yes, said he, I'm
sure to be in time
And of ho,started on q gentle trot.
When he WA rome. Plume took