The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-02
THE RIVAL WIDOWS.

lovely golden yellow. disposed abou
her head in a series of eurls, which
was simply rayishing.
| She was evidently vain of it. for sh.
never passed mirror without glanc
ing at il. and If there happened TO b,
any disorder or unbecomingness, shs
would hasten to her room 10 remedy it.
AT least so Mrs. Langley said; bu
| then, some of the ladies whispered
among themselves that Mrs Langley
the tall. handsome brunette widow
was Jealous of Mrs. Belten.
There were but two or three unmar.
ried m at the Lake Hotel" of an
age suited 10 these fair widows, and o
them the major was by far the mosi
important.
Time and again had he appeared
smitten with the charms of some faiI
lady. and time and again drawn back
just as the fact was becoming patent
TO the lockers on.
This time. however. the major was
uudeniably smitteu. Some said tha,
he was in love with the golden locks oil
the blonde widow, while others insist
ed that the dark eyes of Mrs. Langley
had won him captive.
The major himself was evidently un-
decided upon the subject. being al
ternately IN attendance on one or the
other.
And so the two ladies, beneath sur
face of extreme politeness, were at
daggers drawn with each other. The
brunette widow was certain that, had
she the field to herself. she could bring
the major TO her feet with little trouble
So she was thinking, as with her lit
tie pet dog beside her, she reelined up
on her lounge at the time Of the after
moons siesta.
The day was warm, and the doors
OF all the ladies apartments opening
upon the corridor We're ajar. Most OF
the fair inmates were taking their
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 noiselessly 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 aroused from the be-
ginning of her nap.
L
he was flying round and round the
room, dragging after him what looked
like, yes. most decidedly like,-the
head of Mrs. Beltonl
Mrs Langley sprang up, for no other
lady at the hotel had precisely that
shade and color OF hair. 1t was-good
heavens 1t was wig!
Here was discovery. indeed! And
q light of mingled surprise, amusement,
and triumph sparkled in the eyes of
the handsome brunette, rs she surveyed
the unexpected prize.
i hen. with the wig in her hand, she
softly glided into the passage, paused
outside Mrs. Belton's door. and took
cautious peep within.
There reelined the fair, plump. little
widow herself. fair still. though her
snowy complexion and delicate features
were set off by only thin mist of
short golden hair, which. if twisted all
together, would not have made a strand
as large as her little finger.
Mrs. Langley gently tossed the ruin
ed wig upon the floor, and retiring to
her own room, closed the door securely
on Puck
Mrs. Bolton did not come down to
tea, though her aunt did. The old
lady seemed considerably upset, and
glanced suspiciousiy round upon the
faces of the ladies.
But all looked so innocent, and all
especially Mrs. Langley-inquired so
naturally as to the cause of her niece s
absence. that her doubts were quieted.
They could know nothing about it.
1t was 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 which time
she might have her wig restored to its
normal condition.
Why, therefore, should she not take
advantage of the moonlight obscurity
to enjoy herself as she might be per-
mitted?
Mrs. Langley stared, and the major
frightened, as they saw her step upon
the terrace. Her face was shaded by
the folds of a silk scarf, which. falling
to her shoulders, entirely concealed
her head. Thus. she said. she must
protect herself from the dews and the
breezes.
They were all seated in group when
Mrs. Langley said,-
Ibid you ever see the Indian scarf
dance, Mrs. Gaylord"
Mrs. Gaylord had not; and the major
begged description of it.
II would show it to you if / had a
scarf, or if Mrs. Bolton would be good
enough to lend me hers for a mo-
ment.n
The blonde widow eolored in the
moonlight. and murmured something
about taking cold.
"You could not possibly take cold in
this summer air. and you shall have
my zephyr said Mrs. Langley. with
her sweetest and most persuasive
smile.
What could Mrs. Bolton doP How
could she refuse. with the eyes OF all
upon her, and especially the major
eyes, who already looked a little sur
prised at her hesitancy.
Suddenly thought flashed upon her.
She raised her eyes and looked steadily
at her rival. She saw it all in a mo-
ment; her secret had been discovered,
and tomorrow, without doubt,it would
be made known.
For an instant her heart failed her;
but then she nerved herself to a brave
resolve.
Il am very sorry that I cannot LET
you have the scarf she said. in a voice
which faltered despite herself.
"Whys" persisted her merciless tor
mentor. with an air of innocent sur
prise.
because was hard to say,
after all-''beeause have not my wig
on.
..Floral" gasped Mrs. Gaylord.
Il shall have to make clean breast
of it, she said. with a little laugh.
lone of the ladies' pet dogs-was il
not yours, Mrs. Langley?-got hold OF
my wig this et ening, and has complete
ly spoiled it.
The major turned his eyes upon her
with sudden and glad surprise.
so you wear wig, madaml So do
I. How rejoiced am to lind q lady
who happens to be in the same predica-
ment as myself! Why. [ would have
married long ago but for the haunting
fear of shocking my bride with the
knowledge of my bald head.
Then there was a tableau. Mrs.
BeIton blushed and smiled-a glad
smile; the major looked delighted. ant
Mrs. Langley's face was white as sh.
turned away.
II lost my hair in a severe illness
and it has never grown again." Mrs
Bolton explained. Il had il made VI
into wig. So you see it is my owl
hair. after all.
When the company broke up at tn
Lake Hotel, It was perfectly wei
known to everybody that the maio
| and Mr. RolSur. - GO ~ r-a1-nd