The Washington critic., 1885-07-11
A LACONIC WOOER

n IhOONIN NOUUN
-
Mrs. Abigail Widein, a buXom widow OF
fOur,and-iorty, SAY sewing Ill the winter
sunlight winch fell through the stand OF
geranlums ana petuhias, before ner sittinS
room window. a cheerful wood lire
burned on the hearth IT'S flames rejected
IN the, gllttering brass ilre dogs, gllstenlng
only less brightly than the sunbeams
theinseiyes. ,..,
Mrs. Midgin was a roiy-poly little
woman with swapping black eyes, cheeks
like Baldwin apples; ana mar IN winch
only rev white threads disturbed the
raven gloss.
There was an arr OF determination, 1t is
true, in her firm lower jaw, but this was
so oyeTshadowed by the general roslness
ana Jointly OF her lace as 10 DC hardly per,
have pronounced Mistress Abigail, as she
sat placldly sewing III the afternoon sun
light, dame as gracious us she was
comely.,
The CLOCK III the corner ucKed mono
tonously, the cat on the hearth rug alter
nately slept, and then, awakened by u
sudden snap OF the ire awoke to purr
her; -,
Inc WIDOW sewed on WIN perfect COM
posure and scarcely llrmer curve OF the
mouth betrayed tne iact tnat sle was
keenly debating some important matter in
her mind. only, from time to tlme' her
glance was raised 10 the Quar- ana when at
length the SOUND OF footsteps crunchlng
on the snow without, was hearu, tne
quick comprehensive survey WhlCh the
black eyes made OF the room indicated
some desire that everything should be
right ana trih ior the colnliS guest, ana
showed, moreover, that the newcomer
hau peeh eNPecteu' mn. u y.
A moment later, and lilly the trim lit
tie maid, had usherea INTO the room q
dapper niue man, Win MARKED leSal
air, shreWd, tWlnkhng eyes ana SHINING
bald spot on the top OF ms mead.
GOOD afternoon, MI: oharpersqn' tne
WIDOW salu, prlskly, TlslhS WIN hoSpiVa-
bic alacrty. III began to fear you We're
not coming
GOOD afternoon inc gentleman
quickly returned, allowing MS mana 10 be
shaken vigorously.
"Sit down by the ire" SAID the widow,
busting about with the desire Oh DONG
something, yet not quite knowing exactly
Wnat 10 40 III riusV DC con- Guy, lor
all the sun. The snow crunches TOO
much Tor one not 10 know that. you
found it so, DIDN'T you r she concluded,
Knowing by experience that nothing
short OF direct question was likely to
elicit a response from the taclturh
lawyer,
Yes, he answered, prleiiy.
Uncommon cold, should say went
on Mrs. Widgin, seating herself opposite
her guest, and, spreading out her plump
hands to the blaze as II talking OF the
temperature MADE her more sensible OF IL.
lis colder IMAM uslal, lor the season,
don't you think soF
"Perhaps'"
ION, II is certainly much colder'
NO response.
But then it is, after all, the time OF the
year when one must expect very severe
weather"
sun no reply
"'When the days begin to lengthen,
You know the proverb, the cold begins to
strengthen
Still there was unbroken silence on the
part OF the lawyer, ana the hostess was
forced to abandon the weather for more
prominent topic.
you propgnI thc papers l0 0e me W sign,
suppose, Mr.. Sharpeison! VI course you
know that they are all rlght., trust IL all
in your hands. l never did know any
thing about mortgages.
ut was IN Mr.. Sharpersoh illnu thai
for one who Knew hothlnS ABOUT legai
documents, the widow had managed her
property with renarKaDle shre wdness
but it not being his custom to waste
supertuous words by putting his thoughts
into speech, he made no remark about IT;
81 will sign whatever you tell me to,
his client continued, WIN really touching
confidence. 1T is hard for a woman to
have nobody but hersell 10 lean upon
I'm sure don't know what would dc
without you"
Again no response, .c
Still no reply, unless lalnt snlll, more
or less scorniui, might be SO considered
"Where nse the papers,!
Mr. Sharperson rose with great deli bera
ton and from the green baize bag, when
ON entering he had deposited upon inc
table, produced small package OF lega
papers
| He turned again 10 the Wlhdow ana IRE
his eye dwelling apPreciatlVely on IN,
CHEEKY proportions oil pothi as, wlthou
speaking, he handed the documents t'