The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-07-31
THE WIDOWS ADONIS.
From the Argosy.

FROM Ulie arSoSy. s tgl Isl
Fitzgerald Brandon was one OF the
lucky mortals treated with material
partiality by that tickle jade, fortune.
No stepdame irowns fell to his share.
no chilling chances, no rebuffs. Every.
thing went well with him.
Did he speculate imprudently, the
speculation, however unpromising
was certain to do we'll; did he back
rank outsider for a great race, it was
almost certain OF a place. Fortune
always befriended him. He generally
rose winner from his post-prandial
rubber, not because his skill was ex-
traordinary, but from sheer forcs OF
luck; and it was on record that on
one occasion he broke the bank at
Monte Carlo.
He was, besides, extremely hand
some, though on a liliputian scale; for
Fitzgerald Brandon was not only one
OF the luckiest but also one OF the
smallest Of men. He stood just
five feet five in his boots,
but his neat little figure, al
ways dressed in the most perfect-it-
ting chefa-d' oeuvre of Smalpage or
Poole, was so erect, so dapper and SO
well proportional, that any short
comings OF stature were readily for
given and forgotten by his numerous
admirers OF the fair sex. For, what
ever the lady novelists may say, wom-
en- are not so utterly devoted to those
lords OF herculean built and super
human physical strength who invari.
ably figure in the pages OF fashionable
fiction.
Little Fitz was, in his way, quite a
lady killer, and as he was we'll known
to be rich as we'll as a lucky man
his lines generally fell in pleasant
places. His position in society was
assured, and many fair demoiselle
moving in the very best circles would
have been willing enough to sh his
fortunes
But little Fitz seemed reluctant to
don the matrimonial letters; he es-
chewed the society OF the demoiselle a
marier, preferring the maturer charms
OF ladies who already wore the mar
rage ring and yet could enjoy a firtar
ton without fear OF scandal
In short, little Fitz was q devoted
admirer of that privileged class, young
and pretty widows.
Perhaps he fondly imagined he was
less likely to be s'caught" by these
bereaved sirens than by young debu-
tantes still under the maternal wing.
At all events. he was nearly always
to be seen, with one or other of these
fair ladies, who having dotted their
weeds, and bloomed out again in all
their pristine brilliancy.
And that is how he won the soubri-
quet by which he was known in every
club IN London of .sThe Widows
Adonis"
Just look at the fellow? How any
woman can take up with such con.
ceited little coxcomb lean t imagine y
said Maitland, of the Fiftieth ORA
goons-a "heavy" dragon in more
sense than one, for he rode fourteen
stone and was more remarked for his
breadth of shoulders than quickness
of vito his fidus Achates one morn
ing in the row.
There's no accounting for tastes, .
muttered the other, pulling his mus
tache and darling envious chances at
little Fitz, who was seated between
two Of the prettiest young widows in
London and seemed nightly to relish
the position. II should have thought
a charming womanli like Mrs. Desmond
So" He did not finish the sentence,
but glared fercely at the dapper figure
OF little Fitz, who was Laughing and
chatting gaily to his fair companions,
If looks could kill, what wholesale
slaughter would 60 on in this highly
civilized metropolis of ours.
Jack Carnforth, Heterogeneous off
shoot OF an ancient family tree, would
have given q good deal to secure pref.
ty Mrs. Desmond and her fortune
which was said to be considerable. AT
/. one time she had accepted his homage
with apparent pleasure, but since
Fitzgerald Brandon had crossed he1
path. she had turned deaf ear to the
penniless young ATTACHES pretty
speeches. Poor Carnforth, in spite q
his good looks, felt that he was hope
less out Of the running, for, though
Brandon might be, as Maitland said
"a conceited little coxcombe,n it was
impossible to deny that he possessed
the art OF making himself agreeable.
The two ladies, between whom this
miniature Paris was seated. were as
antagonistic to each other as Matt.
land and Carnforth were to the object
OF their rivalry; for the two pretty
widows were rivals and hated each
other cordially, though they called
each other "dear Minna" and dear
Clementina," and before the eyes d
the world posed as great friends and
allies.
In appearance, the two ladies con.
trasted well, and each hattered her.
self that her friend was an excellent
! foil, to her own charms. Minna Des-
j mond was a tall, handsome brunette
with fine eyes and magnificent black
hair, while Clementina Somers was a
fairy-like blonde, with dazzling 5,mm IA.
Y Il q Il x HHa-4ff -