The Wilmingtonian., 1886-09-11
Beware of widows.

%NN'f''NN~
ratified dismaily.
But in spite of the cheeriess prospect, NAL
verin Trayers whistled cheerily to himselfas
he roasted the driving wind and made his
way through the dry, fast.fallng snow to-
wards his home.
',I'l put IL under her door tonight" he
was saying to himself, with a smile in his
hazel brown eyes.
Here his meditations were interrupted by
the sudden opening of the door as he reached
the threshold, and by sharp voice exclaim-
ing:
Hurry up, for PHYS sake, Malvern, and
don't be a-lettipg the snow into the house."
And Malvern obediently hurried in as he
answered with a smile;
mo danger of that, Priscilla. There's
net a snow mountain"
"There's mighty nigh it, then," growled
his sster-in-law "But you don't seem to
mird a-tramping over TO the post-oflice in
such storm, and all for nothin' I'll be
bound Get any letters?"
mo" returned Malvern meekly.
Il told you So" retorted Mrs. Priscilla
in q tore of triumph.
Sac was worthy woman and welded the
domestic septre in her bachelor brother-in-
law q establishment with wisdom aud mod
GRAFTON.
But as there is no rose without thorn,
Mis- Priscila's really exec mt qualities were
really dimmed by the possession of sharp
tongue.
~ Al, Ia1.,. 4 1,
self as he sought the privacy of his own
apartment. ''5he didn't ask if got birth
day card, so of conse | wasn't obliged to
tell"
And carefully drawing large, square en-
velppe from his overcoat pocket, he drew
out the card and examined it carefully.
1t was a very pretty cald with fancy
border surrounding wreath of forget me-
nots and orange-blossoms, which encirced
pair of doves with silver wings, represent
ed as billing and cooling very atIectionately.
On the reverse side was simple couplet
in print:
las to the oak tree clings the vine,
So my true heart will cling to thine.r
The sinltle was not very appropriate one !;
but in Malvern's eyes it was the pink of
excellence.
He was very bashful man-so bashful in
fact, that he had passed his thirtieth birth
day and was still bachelor.
This fact was thorn in the side of his
sister-in-law, and many were the lectures
she had delivered to him on the subject but
alas with no avail.
He could have shouldered his musket and
gone into battle without tremor but when
it came TO make love to pretty girl, his
heart and nerves both failed him. And yet
Malvern-poor fellow-was in love.
He had of late mustered up sufficient oour-
age to escort Electra Feyersham and her
stepmother "a widow to church, and to a
picnic or skating party or other merrymak-
ing on several occasions.
Eat to his misfortune be it told he found
it easier to pay attention to the elder lady
thar to the daughter, and, as a consequence
the E.ossips of the town had begun to con
meet his name with of Mrs. Ignatia Fever
shaIn, much to their own amusement.
Now Electra was the prettiest girl in the
village, with her sole-black eyes, aud cheeks
that matched the scarlet chrysanthemu she
wora in her nut-brown hair while her step
mother was a snowy and not uncomely will
a sharp eye to the main chance, and no de
cded objections to adopting some othel
name in the place Of Feversham.
Malvern Travers, though bashful, was no
wanting in decision, and he had recently de
ternined that if he could only be ereasonably
well assured thar Electra would not refus
him, he would manage to "make her al
offer" Ill some fashion.
n
It was the morning before Electra's birth
day, and Electra was baking hard in tn
kitchen.
Her stepmother believed in early break
fasts, and Electra was up before daylight o
short winter mornings.
The savory odor of broiled ham greete
Mrs. Feversham as she came briskly click
ing down stairs, a placid breakfast shaw
hugged tightly around her shoulders.
'Ahem is that snow sifted under th
door P' she asked herself, as the reached th
bottom step.
A closer inspection assured her it was no
"Why it's-it's birthday card"
And hastily seizing the mssive she steI
ped into the parlor to examine it privatel,
''For Electra Well, do declare Who
it from | wonderP There's no harm
opening birthday card, so I'll just see viii
it is"
And carefully prying open the enveloI
Mrs. Feversham beheld tastefully-decort
ted sheet of cepaper, on the inner side
which were some written words, which 81
proceeded to read
"MIss ELECTRA Il shall pass your hon
at sunrise tomorrow morning it is yol
birthday. If l see your face at the windo1
shall take it as a sign that you are willir
to occept my card
Yours sincerely,
MALVERN TRAvERs."
'Oh, indeed Y Mrs. Ignatia grew red
the face as she comprehended the purport
the words. 80 it is her he's been comil
to see, hey? Ill have finger in that p
Mr.. Malvern Travers I'll take charge
this document myself. And it won't
Eeetra's face you'll see at sunrise Y
And carefully secreting the paper, 5
hurried out to The warm diniDg-room a
ha .paitinor hraoLfasE