The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-11-06
THAT is my sole consolation" I
oallantly.


answered, gallantly.
There is nothing like married hfe,"
sighed the widow, with a momentary
eclipse of the limpid, brown orbs, be-
meath the whitest of dropping lids.
But what's the use of my talking about
it to YOU? You can understand
Il can imagine, : Ireplied, modestly.
You must find wife as soon as
possible" said the widow, looking in
tently at the hem OF her pocket hand
kerchief You're only living half
life now All. you cannot think how
much happier YOU would be with some
gentle, clinging being at your side
some congenial soul to mirror your
own
Instinctively laid my hand on my
heart.
do not fancy that l shall lose an in
stant in the search | said. Il have
already pictured to myself the pleas
ures Of a newer existence
Have you?' The brown eyes shot
an arch, challenging sparkle toward
me. Tell me all about her.
do YOU really wish to know?"
.'Of course | do.
| congratulated myself mentally on
the fine progress | was making, consid-
ep:ng the small practice in loye-making
that | had had. Bob Carter himself,
with all his ready tongue and good
looking face, co ED not have carried on
Z Irritation more neatly.
.'Is she fair or darkp" questioned the
widow, with the prettiest of interest.
'Ncithcr-about your complexion"
"Ohf' laughed my interlocutor, with
charming pink sutiusion over her
dimples. is she young?" Yes,
about your age"
''Pretty?'
More than pretty-beautiful.'
The widow arched her perfectly-pen-
cilcd eye brows.
What a devoted husband you will
mahei And when are you going to be
married? Are you acquainted with MIR.
Carter, Mrs. Alyern's brother?' she
asked presently.
Yes" L answered, with little
grimace. "A self-conceited, disagree
able puppy"
''Do You think so?n asked the widow,
doubtfullv.
VI 'odic &C, do 'hIi boiS uo1S. W
will you when you meet him.
''Shall I?''
"A man who thinks because he's got
handsome face and a smooth tongue,
that nobody else has any business in
creation
Dear, dear.' twittered my compan-
ion; ''that's very bad, indeed"
''Of course he will pay good deal
OF attention to you, if YOU are to be his
sisters guest" | pursued; ''but it
won't do to encourage him"
''Nor'
BY no means. Hes professional
flirt. y
is it possiblc9" lisped the widow.
And l mentally shook hands with
myself for having thus deity put
spoke in Bob's wheel
First impressions are everything, and
| certainly had been beforehand with
the pretty widow. Neither had I any
cOmpunctions of conscience, for hadn't
Bob been playing practical jokes of all
styles and compleNions on me, ever
since we had entered the bar side by
side?
stupid Tom" had been his pet
ltt'iiAN i'l ilAN' a. VI Jtt tIt'.' w tl~Il
so very stupid a game, after all.
While | was thus metap aphoricallv
hugging myself, the conductor bawlcd
out, '.Glendale," and | sprang up to-
assist my lovely companion out of the
car, cheeriully bur,!ening myself with
bags, baskets, parasols, and bulky
wraps.
As we stepped upon the platform,
nearly tumblcd into the arms of-Bob
Carter
"Hullo, Toni was his elegant
greeting, you don't grow any lighter
as you grow older
| was about to retort bitterly, when
a sudden change came over his face. as
he beheld the pretty widow behind me.
''Gertie!" he cried, her hands in his.
Yes, Robert" she answered, with
sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks
That gentleman has got my parcels;
he has been very kind to me. -
''Oh, has he, though? Well, we won't
trouble him any further. am much
obliged to you Tom, and well send
You cards to the wedding.'
ITO what wedding?"
Didn't YOU tell him, Gerte? Why.
to orr wedding, the tenth of next
month, to be sure. Au rcrOir! Tom
be careful of yourself for my sake
And that was the last / ever saw of
my daisy-faced widow. For if YOU
think | was mean-spirited enough to 90
to that wedding, you are mistaken in
my character.