Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-10-31

SELECT STORY.
THE RIVAL WIDOWS.

She was a very pretty little widow,
and though nearly forty, with COM
pleXion as fresh as though she had
been fifteen years younger, and hair
Of a lovely golden yellow, disposed
about her head in a series of curls,
which was simply ravishing.
She was evidently vain of it, for
she never passed mirror without
slancmg at it, and if there happened
to be any disorder Or unbecomingness
she would hasten to her room to rem
edy it.
At least so Mrs. Langley said but
then, some Of the ladies whispered
among themselves that Mrs. Langley,
the tall, handsome, brunette widow,
was jealous of Mrs. Bolton.
There were but two or three un-
married men at the Lake Hotel" of
age suited to these fair widows, and
Of them the major was by far the most
important.
Time and again he had appeared
smitten with the charms of some fair
lady. This time, however, he was
undeniably smitten. Some said that
he was in love with the golden locks
Of the blonde widow, while others IN
sisted that the dark eyes of Mrs.
Langley had won him captive.
The major himself was evidently
undecided upon the subject, being al
ternately in attendance on one or the
other.
And so the two ladies, beneath q
surface Of extreme politeness, were at
daggers drawn with each other. The
brunette wid~w was certain that had
she the field to herself, she could
bring the major to her feet with little
trouble.
So she was thinking, lis with her
little pet dog beside her, she reclined
upon her lounge ut the time Of her
afternoon siesta.
The day was warm, and the doors
Of all the ladies apartments opening
upon the corridor were ajar. Most of
the fair inmates taking the beauty
sleep.
Lie still, Puck" she said, as the
silky little spaniel awoke from his nap
and became restless.
Puck submitted for a few minutes,
and then noisclessly sliding to the
floor, slipped out into the passage and
sought amusement in his own way.
1t was not five minutes after this
that Puck's mistress was aroused
from the beginning Of her nap.
1t was the dog that awoke her.
There he WAS flying round and round
the room, dragging after him what
looked like, yes, most decidedly like
the head Of Mrs. Bolton
Mrs. Langley sprang up, for no
other lady at the hotel had precisely
that color Of hair. 1t was-good
heavens! it was wig.
Here was u discovery indeed! And
a light of mingled surprise, amuse-
ment and triumph sparkled in the
eyes of the handsome brunette as she
surveyed the unexpected prize.
Then, with the wig in her hand,
she softly glided into the passage,
paused outside Mrs. Belton's door
and took Il cautious peep within.
There reclined the tair, plump, lit
tie widow herself, fair still, though
her snowy complexion and delicate
features We're set off by Il only q thin
mist of short golden hair, which, if
twisted altogether would not have
made Il stran as large as her little
finger,
Mrs. Langley gently tossed the
ruined wig upon the floor, and retir-
ilg to her own room closed the door
securely upon Puck.
Mrs. Belton did not come down to
tea though her aunt did. The old
lady seemed considerably upset, and
glanced suspiciously around upon the
faces Of the ladies.
But all looked so innocent, and all
especially Mrs. Langley-inquired
SO naturally us to the cause Of her
niece absence that her doubts were
quieted. They could know nothing
about it.
1t was u lovely moonlight night,
and there was music and dancing in
the saloon, and promenading on the
lake terrace.
Mrs. Bolton, listening to the music,
grew tired of staying in her own
room. She could not possibly show
| herself in public for a day or two in