The Washington critic., 1886-10-16
A LOVERS QUARTETTE.
BY PENN SHIRLEY.

can I, salu MT. IcTrln, HIS rcprOaCn-
full gaze fixed upon the fly prone
nading the widows plump wrist. II
had hoped on reflection you'd come to
consider my proposal favorably, but 1t
seems you think you couldn't be happy
with me-"
81 couldn't be happy with Rox-
anna" responded the lady, impetu-
ously; then, checking herself, she
flushed like the woodbne at the win
dow, and in her turn gazed down upon
the i,inerating fly.
"Oh, if you refuse me on account of
sister, Mrs. Deery, l really can't take
No for an answer" cried her suitor,
looking up with an encouraged air.
The widows gaze never swerged
from the insect, now chatting its stiff
fened little legs upon her thumb.
You'd have no trouble in getting
on with sister, I'll wager" pursued
the eager wooer. You rarely see an
r.tempered woman"
"Yes, that's just it. Mr.. Perrin;
Roxanna's too perfect" broke forth
the lady, brushing away the fly with
startling energy. ut would iidget me
u
chosen vessel, and I'm only common
clay"
The widow Deery common clay in.
deed Mr.. Perrin would have divined
the contrary unaded by the oilicious
sunbeam which darted In at that in
stant to point out her manifold attrac
tions. Being deeply in love, he took
advantage of his opportunity to pay a
handsome compliment and to renew
his suit
For one Intoxicating moment his fair
listener wavcred, but the moment
passed.
Hush, please, Mr.. Perrin! Don't
say any more about it," cried she, with
willful toss of her bewitching curls.
Il might care for you" tremor in
her voice was very nearly his undoing
I'll might care for you, but couldn't
breathe with Roxanna. Think how
my little boy would worry herl She
wouldn't speak an unkind word, but
every time he left sticky fngerprints
on door / should feel that she was
wishing that he and his mother had
stayed away.
II might'-Mr. Perrin paused,
shocked at his base impulse. Had he
actually been about to remark that he
might provide sister with another
home ?-sister, who, but for devotion
to his interests. might now be matron
izing home of her own? Dear, faith
full Roxannal Could he ever requite
her for those weary years Of Watching
beside the couch of his helpless, dying
wife? The full measure of her self
sacrifice he had not known at the time,
but he now had no doubt that for
l. 70, alN., l,,I 4
carded Joel Kirby. No, no; sister
should never be requested to vacate
the dwelling over which she had ruled
rims credit be it stated that in the
ardor Of his passion for the little widow
he closed his lips upon the disloyal
words that perchance might have won
her, and strobe forth from her cottage
rejected lover.
"If Kirby should want RoXanna now
as much as, according to accounts, he
wanted her before he went to Califor-
mia, why, 1t might straighten things"
mused he, plodding despondently along
the path through the fields; "but they
say he has his eye on his cousin Martha
Naturally he would be looking for
somebody younger than sister; she
has faded. There's an odds in women. 3"
And the lovers thoughts reverted to
the buXom widow, little younger than
Roxanna, yet no more faded than a
morning glory at sunrise.
Mr.. Perrin's feet had traversed the
meadow and assembled the slope of the
pasture adjoining the highway ere his
mind caught up with them. Then he
murmured half audibly, Il wonder
whether Kirby did call this afternoon ?
When | saw his team coming over the
ridge, 1t struck me might as well steal
off through the orchard. Considering
he's in the neighborhood looking up
his old friends, he can't ciyilly pass by
RoXanna; and | wouldn't be hin
drance in case
His soiloquy merged in low whistle
of satisfaction. He had reached the
bars opposite his own gate, and at the
gate, his forefeet deep in hollow
paved by their impatiencc, stood Mr..
Kirby's gay sorrel.
At the spectacle, Mr. Perrlus heart
bounded within him, and he clutched
the topmost rail for support. Should
he lead the forgotten horse away to the
stable, or should he by so doing appear
to take too much for granted? lie de
sired to be hospitable, he desired to bt
exceedingly hospitable, but he must
not convey the impression that he wa,
overZealous for brother.in.law, and
thus annoy RoXanna. Sister was SC
fastidiousl
In unprecedented excitement the
habitualy easy'going man debated
within himself regarding the course
of conduct betting this exceptional
occasion, and finally Judged it best tC
interfere with the probable wooing il
no particular. Accordingly he crepl
quietly around to the porch door, with
II surreptilious glance at the sitting
room window in passing, A brisk fir,
of chips revealed TO him his rather
prim blonde sister seated in low
rocker before the hearth, and Joe
Kirby leaning against the mantel neal
her, volubly dlscoursing,
They've opened the ball without
me, guess" unused the skulking host
facetiously, rs he hitched his chail
- along TO the kitchen stove to warm his
feet in the oven. Seeing that it's the
first visit, must say Joel stays it out
well. Unquestionably he means busi
ness. What's to prevent? He's first
rate fellow, and'il make a kind hus
hand If | wasn't sura nf that