The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1889-1889, 1889-02-13
THE LITTLE WIDOW.

just hey ond the ems in the hollow the
full moon was rising up, n great globe
Of pearl And from her low seat be
meath the over-hangIng honeysuckles
Pertha Wyman saw and felt all this
ummer leauty with the faint, blissful
languor of tropic dream.
"BeithaV
Paul Fordham crossed the broad rib /
bon of moonlight that iluttered over the
piazza and cameto sit down at his
fance's feet
You are like picture to night. Der
tina; do you know it,
Am ~
Miss Wyman was accustomed 10 adu-
lation and took it very coolly, with only
q royal smile flung down to her adj
mirer.
She was like picture-fair and gra-
cious, with blue eyes and great coils of
golden hair bound about her head, while
even in the uncertain twilight you could
see that the color on her cheeks was
softer and more tendcrly tinted than the
blossoms of the great oleander at her
side.
Hush, who IL that" she said, with
little start, as light footstep sounded
on the matted hall beyond
"Only your aunts companion, Mrs.
Raymond. BY the way. Bertha. what
very interesting little thing she is
such child widow, with those big,
black eyes, and the heavy lashes that
seem actually TO weigh down her eye
lidsl She makes me think of one of
those exquisite South American birds,
all grace and sparkle"
81 never could account for the taste
of you men," said Bertha, half con
temptuously.
mo, but she is beauty, by Jovo /
can tell you what, my fair Saxon en-
press, IL hadn't lost my heart irrevo-
cably to you, long before ! ever saw
| Mrs. Raymond, there's no telling what
might have happened
He spoke jestingly, but Bertha drew
away the hand he had taken rather
coolly.
1T is not yet too late, Paul, IL you
really admire Zaidee Raymond so en-
Enthusiastically"
"Berthav
Miss Wyman laughed, strange, I'M
natural laugh Up to this moment her
lips had never tasted the bitter cup of
| jealousy; now it seemed as If the draught
was maddening.. How dared Paul Ford
ham, her botrothed lover, speak in
terms of commentator of any woman
save herself.
Bertha was one of those unfortunate
creatures who have what is termed "a
high temper" and all her life 1t had
been unbridled. She had never learned
the lesson of self -control, and it was too
late to begin now.
She went up to her own apartment
earlier than usual that evening, not be-
cause she was particularly weary, but
because she wanted to punish Paul
Fordham, who was fond of moonlight
and sentiment and delicious July even
ings, for his unwarrantable noticeof her
aunt's dark eyed companion.
As she sat at the window, brushing
out the wavy, feathery gold Of her mag
nificent hair, the sound of voices on the
piazza below arrested her attention. She
listened moment, holding the golden
masses away from her head, with her
scarlet lips half apart. 1t was Paul
Fordham and Zaidee Raymond.
81 thought So" she murmured, under
her breath. 1T would be no bad speeu-
lation for the poverty stricken widow to
vile Paul Fordham and his wealth into
her nets. knew she was artful, despite
her innocent, childish ways; but If she
dare come into collision with me she
shall be crushed-crushed rs | would
strike noisome insect to the ground. y
She sat there, silent and motionless,
for well-nigh half an hour; then there
came soft tap ut her chamber door.
: Come in, said Bertha.
And Mrs. Raymond. entered.
II beg your pardon for disturbing
you, Miss Raymond, but were you aware
that you had left your bracelet on the
piazza floor2 Here it is"
ut takes you and Mr.. Fordham some
time to discover the loss of bracelet
said Bertha, tauntingly. II am really
sorry to have given you the trouble Of
SO heightened search.
Zaidee Raymond's cheek flushed pain
fully.
IF you would but allow me to confide
in you, Miss Wyman," she faltered,
drawing step or two nearer. to the
naughty Saxon beauty. Mr. Fordham
has told me-"
II do not wish to become the, reposi-
tory of your confidence" said Bertha,
with chilling abruptness, "nor do | care
what Mr.. Fordham; chooses to tell you.
Good night
And she motioned Mrs. Raymond i'm
peratively from her presence.
II should have struck her In another
second" she murmured to herself, tear
ing the lace frill away from her throb-
bling throat as if its slight pressure i'm
peded her free respiration. 81 have
seen,the nurses shrink away from me as
a child, when my temper arose. There
was murder in my eyes, they said l
think murder was in my heart when |
stood there facing that treacherous,
black eyed woman. Let her beware
how she ventures to come between me
and minep'
Unconscious Paul Fordham If he
could only have known, as he paced up
and down the dewy lawn, smoking his
cigar, the thoughts that were passing
: through the mind of his lovely be-
trothed
Bertha" he said, the next afternoon,
as they stood together by the great,
spicy sweet briar bush, "do you know
TINT had quite chat with Mrs. Ray
mond last nightY'
81 am aware of it, answered Bertha,
inditferently, STOPPING to gather scent
ed spray.
And, by Jove, Bertha, the little crea-
ture had the most romantic life, to"
Il dare say" said Bertha, turning
abruptly away "The breeze is too
strong out here. | think had better
go back TO the library"
Paul stared at his companion in
utter bewilderment.
u suppose that mems She doesn't