The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-08-15
The Rival Widows.

The Rival Widows.
She was very pretty little widow,
and though nearly forty, with COM
plexion as fresh as though she had been
fifteen years younger, and hair of love-
ly 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 glancing
at it, and if there happened to be any
disorder or unbecomingness, she would
hasten to her room to remedy 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 unmar-
ried men at the "Lake Hotel' of an
age suited to these fair widows, and of
them the major was by far the most i'm
portant.
Time and again had he appeared
smitten with the charms of some fair
lady, and time and again drawn back
just as the fact was becoming patent to
lockers on.
This time, however, the major was
undeniably smitten. Some said that
he was in love with the golden locks of
the blonde widow, while others insisted
that the dark eyes of Mrs. Langley had
won him captive.
The major himself was evidently un
decided upon the subject, being alter
nately in attendance on one or the
other.
And so the two ladies, beneath sur
face of extreme politeness, were at dag
gers drawn with each other. The bru-
nette 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 little
pet dog beside her, she reclined upon
her lounge at the time of her afternoons
siesta.
The day was warm, and the doors of
all the ladies' apartments opening upon
the corridor were ajar. Most of the
fair inmates were taking the beauty
sleep.
"Lie still, Puck" she said, as the
silky little spaniel awoke from his nap
and became restless.
Puck submitted for 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 was aroused from the
beginning of her nap.
1t was the dog that woke her. There
he was flying round and round the
room, dragging after him what looked
like, yes, most decidedly like-the head
of Mrs. Belton!
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
a light of mingled surprise, amusement,
and triumph sparkled in the eyes of the
handsome brunette, as she surveyed the
unexpected prize.
Then, with wig in her hand, she soft
ly glided into the passage, paused out
side Mrs. Belton's door, and took a
cautious peep within.
There reclined 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 to-
gether, would not have made 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
suspiciously 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 neice'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 sa-
loon, and promenading on the lake ter
race.
Mrs. Bolton, listening to the music,
grew tired of staying in her own room.
She could not possibly show herself in
public for 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 permitted
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,-
"Did you ever see the Indian scarf
dance, Mrs. Gaylord2'
Mrs. Gaylord had not; and the
major begged a description of it.
'sI would show it to you if had a
scarf, or if Mrs. Bolton would be good
enough to lend me hers for a moment. "
The blonde widow colored 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 do? How
could she refuse, with the eyes of all
upon her, and especially the majors
eyes, who already looked little sur
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