Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-09-06
Gales ann Sketrkss.
THE YoUxG WIDOW.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


bread and butter to the three little Piercy's.
She was handsome, overdressed woman,
with good deal of false hair. frizzled and
pulled and braided on the top of the head.
and complexion that bore remote wit
ness to the constant use Of cosmetics. And
Mr. Percy, 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?" said
he, after brief silence which was by no
means peaceful.
"Do?" shrilly retorted Mrs. Percy.
"Why. what do other people do? Are
we to keep home for the INDECENT poor /?
Or refuge for the widowed and father
less?r
MY dear, my dear" pleaded Mr..
Percy, who was small man. with thin
hair and spectacles, '.you may be widow
yourself, some day.
"And if | am, I shall not 90 begging
among my relatives. that YOU may depend
on" said Mrs. Piercy. "And, after all,
she isn't any relative OF ours-only your
brothers wife I'd like to know what
earthly claim she has upon you. | de-
clare, the more / think Of it. the more
am amazed at the woman's presumption.
Her very name is an aggravation, too.
Plume Percy indeed. I'll wager my
new lace pin that she was a secondrate
actress when she married your brother.
No, Mr. Percy, if you think that II
But here the torrent of the l3.dy's elo-
quence was cut short by the unexpected
appearance on the scene Of the very sub
ject OF her objurgatiors-a tall. pretty wo-
man of about four and twenty, whose
wavey, golden tresses and delicately fair
complexion contrasted wildly 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 CORTLAND
Grape on her gown. wonder who's ex-
pected to pay for all this ?'
Abel Percy the kindest hearted of lit
tie men. welcomed his brothers widow
with genuine hospitality; but Matilda. his
wife, looked askance at her. with no
friendly smile upon her countenince.
'.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 yourself
somewhere else crisply added his wife.
The widow said little; she only looked
with large, wistful eyes. from one to the
OtntI, ~ Stc sat lhfit. lllt tiioiIllnS sun
shine turning her fair locks TO braided
masses of gold. the pearly delicacy of her
skin arousing the livelest envy in Mrs.
'Abel's heart.
Though, of course, it's only some
French balm, or Circassian cream or other
that haven't heard Of" said she to her
self.
But, after Mr. Percy had buttOned on
HE nd oil b, he, ia,
the breakfast room, while his wife was
putting up the children's school lunches
in the pantry.
I'm not much OF a talker. Plume"
said he. in an odd. hestating way; but
you are welcome. my dear-very well
come, And hope YOU will try to feel
at home. Don't mind Matida-iust at
first. She's little peculiar. Matilda is,
but | do assure YOU She
"Mr. Percy" uttered sharp, warning
voice. at this instant, from the threshold.
"is it possible that you haven't started
yet? And you know how particular
Bulge Il Bodey are as to your getting at
the store at nine precisely
Mr.. Piercv turned pink all over.
Yes, my dear, yes" said he; I'm
quite sure to be in time
~
When he was gone Plume took of her
bonnet and VEIL and removed her mantle
and gloves and went into the kitchen
Cannot do something to help you,
sister MatldaP" said she pleadingly.
Mrs. Abel Percy looked. with cold blue
eyes and lips primly compressed. mt the
fair face, which was younger and fresher
than ever without the iet-black circlet of
th., hon nj th., ii. IL
before her.
No. thank you. said she. II am not
used to have fine ladies in NV Kitchen"
but if you will lend me an apron
No. thank you, Mrs. Oswald Percy
repeated the housewife. You will find
the newspaper in the hall. Perhaps the
advertising columns may interest YOU"
I'VE are sisters said the Young wild
ow. with quivering lip. will you not
call me Plume ?"
"Oh, we're no relation at all. in real
ity," said Mrs. Abel Percy. weic hing out
an unerring hand. And really. your
name is such a very peculiar one. Jane or
Martha. or Eliza. would have been more
TO my taste. Perhaps. however" with a
keen. sidelong glance, ''you have been
on the stagep"
"No." said Plume. Il was teacher
when Oswald married me- But what did
you mean about the advertising columns
OF the papers? ~
"Situations. you know" said Mrs.
Percy, reaching over to the raisin box.
bridget. you have been at these raisins,
rs true rs live, There's half OF 'em
gone since was here last"
No, mum. haven't" sharply re-
sponded Bridget. who was used to these
kitchen skirmishes. "Sure never lived
in house before where they counted the
raisins and the Jumps o coal. and il |
don't suit. mum. it's a months warning
from to day. it yes Place
Continued Tomorrow