The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-12-19
THE WIDOWS WAGER.

hands, with the wedding ring sparkling
ON her left one, to the best advantage.
She was very pretty widow, and no
one was better aware Of the fact than
she was. Her snug fitting dress set off
as plump and trim figure as any in
Downsborough, and nowhere in the
neighborhood could you find brighter
pair of brown eyes or more hssable,
charming face.
wonder why young widows are al
ways pretty and charming2 No matter
how plain they may be before their hus-
bands Ego the way of all flesh," straight
way after that event takes place and
they come out in black dresses and the
other etceteras of mourning toilet
they are voted bewitching and so pretty!
case, but it seems to be the effect which
widowhood has on them.
Widow Deane heard steps coming
down the road and leaned out to see who
was going by just as a man came oppo-
site at her gate.
''Is that you, Mr.. Fieldsy she called
out cheerily. "Good morning; pleasant
weather, isn't it, after the shower last
night"
Beautiful" stammered Mr.. Fields,
blushing as delightfully."- as woman
could have done and appearing as awk-
ward as an overgrown schoolboy ON his
first morning at school.
won't you come INF" asked the wild
ow, smiling very sweetly, as she brushed
back her curls, which would persist in
falling about her rosy face in the most
charming confusion, as she leaned out
of the window.
IL can't this morning." stammered
Mr.. Fields. "I'd like to- with q look
full Of bashful admiration into the wild
ow's pretty face; "but Pm rather in a
hurry, you sec"
Come in this evening, then" urged
the widow, cant your It's very lone
some. wish you would, now, really,
Mr.. Fields"
IL will" answered Mr. Fields. "Tll
bring my chess board and men along, il
you've no objections, Mrs. Deane"
81 should be delighted to see you," an
swered the widow smilingly. ~ am
sure can beat you, Mr.. Fields"
~ shouldn't wonder" answered Mr..
Fields "I-Im no match for women, u
he added, with very rosy face, and
wondering how he was ever bold enough
to say it.
"Oh, you naughty manl' cried the
widow. II shall beat you just 10 pay
you for thati See # don'tr'
~ dare say" responded Mr.. Fields as
he bowed good morning. "What q
charming creature she isr' he thought as
he passed on. "rd be perfectly happy
If she was Mrs Fields" Here he had tc
blush at the idea of any woman's being
Mrs. Fields. 81 do believe she likes me
but / wouldn't dare to ask her for any
thing. Every time think of such 9
thing my heart thumps just Like ham
mer against my ribs. II wish the
women had their rights. Then they'd
have to do their share of popping the
question, and the like. What if Martha
Jane or Miss Spooner or some of thost
old maids should take it into their heads
| to ask o fellow to have them! And Of
course they would! Good graciousl rt
never dare to tell them no, and I'd sooner
be in the bottom of the sea than to have
any of them"
Mr.. Fields broke out in cold perspi
ration all over at the bare idea.
"What funny man" said the pretty
widow to herself. with soft ittl,
laugh, as Mr.. Fields went on down tht
road. ''Tm sure he'd like to ask me t.
be Mrs. Fields, if he dared to, but h,
hasn't pluck enough. How he doe.
blush when look at him! was very
near laughing in his face, he looked 81
confused. like him ever 80 much, ant
don't think I'd answer him No. if b,
asked me certain question: but dom
believe he could muster up courag,
enough to ask it. I don't see why h,
need be 30 bashful. Tn sure I'm not O.
all digniied or distant"
The widow looked more charming
than ever when she sat in the parlol
waiting for Mr.. Fields that evening
She had on a neat brown dress of jus
the precise shade to show off her cleal
complexioni and the little knot of blu,
ribbon at her throat was the next pretty
color, and the white rosebud, which sh,
fastened over her pink ear, made he,
look as youthful as she did the day sh,
married Archie Deane, six years before
She sighed softly when she looked at tn,
plain wedding ring upon her finger
Archie had been dead three years anC
over.
A step on the path announced tina
some one was coming. Pretty soon SOM
one knocked. She went to the door ant
admitted Mr.. Fields.
81 thought it was YOU" she said, tax
ing his hat. "Take that easy chair, MIR
Fields. I'm SO glad you came over.
get 80 lonesome" and little sigh CAV,
emphasis TO the words.
| Mr.. Fields sighed too. He got lone
some sometimes in his bachelor quar-
ters, but he wouldn't have dared to ga,
30 for the world, with the widow
bright eyes looking full into his face.
The widow sat down and chatte,
away in her lively fashion. Mr.. Field
kept watching her when he could do O.
without her seeing him. Once she look
ed up suddenly and caught his eye fixe.
on her face, and then he turned as re,
as the roses in the window. and just tn
faintest tinge of carnation came int
her cheeks. 1t made her look ever 8
much prettier, Mr.. Fields thought. H
almost wished she'd look up again am
catch him watching her, If she'd blus
In that way. Innocent man; he nevel
dreamed that the widow was as wei
aware of his admiring giances as he was
''Oh, our game Of chess" cried tn,
widow suddenly. 81 was very near for
getting all about 1t. Did you bring tn,
board, MF. Fieldsy'
II put them on the side table," an
swered Mr. Fields.
The widow fiuttered about and got tn.
ohessboard and men, and drew her chai
up opposite Mr.. Fields.
~ promised TO beat you," she said, ar
ranging the board on a little stand be
tween them. "Pm going to do 30 II
possibly can, Mr.. Fields" with an arcl
glance into his fana.
Mr.. Fields happened to be sdmirini
her brown curls as she looked up, an,
the fact that she detected him in the &C
80 Disconnected him that he knocks
over the chessmen she had arranged
and then he had 10 help her set then
..k dn, and their hands came in contac
ON the board. Somehow the touch Q