Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1890-12-02

ca-s'. but II sfeins to hc TIE ELECT which
widowhool has on them.
Widow Dsane heard stcI- coming
down the rad AMI lcanel out to -. wis
was going 10y just as man came oppo'
aic At her gate,
ia that you. Mr.. Heldsy- she called
out ch~crily. "Gooi morning; pleasant
weather. isn't n. after the shower LAT
nighiy'
"i,.auiifni.- stammercd Mr.. Fields,
blu.hing a delightfully."- A. a woman
could have done and appearing ~ awk
wari a. nm oy.rgrUwu schoolboy on hi'
FIR, morning nj school.
Won't yen come I'M asked the wid
ow. smiling very sw-c,ly. =. she brushed
hack her curls. which would pcrsis, In
falling About her r-y face In the mot
charming confusion. as she ieanci oui
~ the window
"i-i can't this morning" sianmer~l
Mr. Fields. "Id like to- with look
fuli of hashfnl admiration into the wid
ow'. pretty face; "but I'm rather In q
hurry. you scc.-
Come In thi. evening. then. urged
tho widow. cant your IT. very lone.
som.. wish you would. now. rally,
Mr.. fields-
"I-Iwillf' answered. Mr.. riellA "fll
bring my chess boaf,l and men along. II
you've 10 objections. Mr.. Diane
II should L. delighted o. - you. an.
swer,d the widow sinilingly. n am
surc can bcat You. Mr.. Fields"
Il shouldn't wonder" answered Mr..
rields "l-Im no match for women.
be- added. with . very ru-y face, and
wondering how ho was ever bold enough
90 lay u.
"oh. you naughty man cried The
willow. Il shall b-at you Just 30 lay
you Tor that sco II don'tr'
Il iArr say." responded Mr.. Fields a.
he bow~i gooi morning "Wha, a
charming creature che is'' be thought n
hs passed on. "rd be perfectly happy
N .he VA. Mr. rslds.- llsrc h- hal o.
blush ai the idea ~ any wOinan's bsing
Mr. Fields Il DO believe she likes rnc,
bat ! wouldn't dare to ask her Tor any
thing. Every time think % such q
thing my heart ,humr- jus, Ike ham
mer against my nib IL wish ths
women hal their rights. Then they'd
have 10 do their share - popIang ths
question. anil the like. What n Martha
Jan. or Mi.. sfoonsr Or sOm. a tho~s
old maids should take u into their hcs.i'
10 AK fellow 90 have thsml And Of
course they wouhl Coed graciOus' I'd
never dare 90 tell them no. and III -consr
L. in the io,iom % the "a than io ha,s
any ~ them
Mr Fields broke cut In cold pcrpi'
ration all over nj Oh. barr idea
what a funny man. said the prr,ty
widow 90 herself. with q -oft litils
laugh. NJ Mr. Fields went on down ihs
rad. 'rm SURE he'd like 90 a.k me n
bc Mr. Fields, N be dArcd 90. but h.
hasn't pluck enough. How he doos
blush when I look az hint Iwas very
near laughing In his face, hs looked -
confused. like him ever ~ much. and
I don't think III answer him NO. II he
Nkci me a certain question: bat ! don't
believe be could muster mp cOuragc
enough io ask u. don't -e why hs
need b. ~ bashful. I'm SURF I'm no, ai
all dignifei OF distant"
The widow looked more charming
than ever when she at In th. parlor
waiting for Mr. Fields that evening.
She had ou n heat brown drcs- of Just
the precise shade to show of her clear
complexion: and the little knot of blue
ribbon at her throat was the neat pretty
color. AMI the whit. rosebud, which she
fastened over her pink ear. male her
look n youthful ~ she did the day shs
married Archie Dcanc. six years before.
She sigho,l softly when she looked nj thu
plain wedding ring upon her finger.
Archie hal b-cn dead thrce years and
over.
A step ON tho path announced that
some one was coming. Pretty soon -ofns
one knocked. She went to the door and
admitted Mr.. Fields.
II thought IL was you.- she said. tax
Ing his hat. Take that easy chair. Mr.,
Fields rm - glad you came over.
get 40 lonesome and u little sigh gave
emphasis 30 the words.
Mr.. Fields sighed too. lie got lone
some sometimes In his bachelor quar-
ter.. but he wouldn't have dared 20 say
20 for the world. with the widows
bright eyes looking full into his face.
The widow at down and cha,tel
away In het lively fashion. Mr.. Fields
kept watching her when he could do -
without her SEEING him. Once she look
ell up suddenly AMI caught his eye hIe'l
on her face. and then he turned NJ r~l
~ the roses In the window. and Just The
fAintest tings of carnation came intc
her cheeks. Il made her look ever q
much prettier. Mr.. Fields thought III
almost wished she'd look Up again and
catch him watching hsf. " sh1d blush
In that way. lnnocent mAn; he nevei
drcamed that the widow was ~ vel
aware of his admiring glancs- ~ he WA
"oh. our game of che~sr cried th>
widow suddenly. II was very near for
getting al about IT, Did you bring th'
board. Mr.. Fieldsr
Il put them on tho side table," nm
swered Mr.. relda
The widow nuttered about and got th'
chessboari and men. snd drvw her chail
up opposite Mr.. FieldA.
81 promis~d to beat you.- she said. ar
ranging the board on little stand be
tween them. I'm going to do 20 II
possibly can. Mr.. Felds." with IN arcl
glance into his face.
xr. Fields happened 10 b sdminnl
her brown curls - shs LOOKED mp. ant
The fact that shs detseted him In ths ac
% discoucerted him that hs knockst
over the chesmen che had arranged
and then he had 70 help her ~ theu
again, and their hands came In cootac
on tho board. Somehow the touch o
Tie widows plump, white hsnd md
him thrill Ill over With delightful -
| saiioa, end ~ woudsssd. u u accidsnta
tssrh q ~ nsguss aGss>sa - - q