The daily critic., 1890-06-02
THE SONGS OF A SIREN
EnFapped a Congressman Who
Neglected His Wife,
And az his Death He Left Her $4,000.
His widow VIII Contest
the Legacy.

There are whlsperings Of an inter
esing lawsuit soon to be begun by the
handsome widow Of a dashiug ex. Con
gresham hailing from a State CON
siderably north of Mason and Dixon's
line, says a Washington dispatch to the
New York Times During their resi-
dence in Washington some three or
four years ago both husband and wife
were prominent figures in Wash.
ington society, and the hand
some house which they leased
in the vicinity Of Dupont Circle
was the scene of numerous small enter.
tainments characterized by a degree Of
elegance attainable only by persons of a
refined taste with large means at their
command The fact that husband and
wife were rarely to be seen together
outside their own home did not give
rise to much comment, as it was gen
orally understood that when within that
home they were as devoted and united
In their aims and interests as could be
desired.
The wife was not only beautiful. but
on all occasions one Of the most fault
lessly. gowned women to be found In the
National Capital She had the indescriba-
bic art of imparting 10 whatever she
wore a marked personality. Her en-
trance to any asscmblagc, whether an
afternoon reception or full. dress even.
ing ball, WAS the signal for a general
turning Of heads In her direction
Wherever she moved whatever she
wore. she was 'thC cynosurc Of all
eyes.
siNGEp ny A SINGER,
Not long before their departure from
Washington, at the expiration Of the
Representatives term, wiseacrcs began
to nod their heads, and like a ripple
over society spread whisperings OF his
growing infatuatiOn for a certain foot
light favorite, to whose siren songs he
listened night after night from a con-
splcuous seat among the orchestra
chairs as near the stage as possible.
The wiseacres noticed how, night after
night, there was handed over the foot
lights a floral tribute of roses the mag
nihcence OF which eclipsed all others,
and which would have beggared an
ordinary purse. They further noticed
that the handsome man I'm the Conspicu-
Gus seat served as a magnet for the
singers most bewitching glances, aud
so, putting this and that together, they
did some random guessing which after
all did not fall far short Of the truth.
HE LEAVES HER $4,000.
Finally, when the whisperIngs were
voiced aloud In substantial statements,
Il came 10 be understood that the Rep
resentatiyes wife was not only ware
Of the state Of affairs, but that though
outwardly as gay butterfly as before,
she was secretly consuming her heart
with grief over the detection Of her
husband, whom she sincerely loved.
That the songs Of the siren had touched
not only a sentimental but a financial
chord In the husbands heart seems
pretty evident, for % ose who profess TO
know the true inwardness Of things
aver that, having finally undertaken to
back the company of which the
siren was the bright particular star aud
tide il over a financial difficulty, be
came out Of the transaction a loser by
S26, 900. Soon after this his health be
gan 10 fail, and, though every aid which
skill could devise was invoked In his
behalf, medical science proved OF no
avail and few months ago the heart
broken wife was left a widow. When
the viii came 70 be examined II was
found 10 contain a clause relative 10 a
Gift Of $4,000 which was 10 be at once
paid over by the executors TO the siren
10 enable her 10 continue her musical
studies. This clause the widow declares
shall never be carried into effect aud 10
that end she will at once openly contest
the matter in court