Connecticut western news., 1890-12-10


 To atar her bosom with a summer flower.
 -HpipAAnfm Wilson In Freeman's Journal
 THE WIDOWS WAGER.
 Widow Deane sat at the front win dow of her little parlor one morning busy with some kind of fancy work which showed of her plump, well shaped hands, with the wedding ring sparkling on her left one, to the best advantage. She was a very pretty widow, and no one was better aware of the fact than she was. Her snug fitting dress set of e plump and trim figure as any in D0wnsborough, and nowhere in the neighborhood could you find brighter pair of brown eyes or more disable, charming face.
 wonder why young widows are al- ways pretty and charming? No matter ! how plain they may be before their hus- bands '.go 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! It is strange that such should be the ; cas-, 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 8 man came oppo- ite at her gate.
 'Is that you, MT. Fields?' she called out cheerily. Good morning; pleasant weather, isn't it, after the shower last night?'
 sT "Beautiful," stxmmered Mir. Fields, blushing as delightfully."- as a woman could have done and appearing as awk- ward as an overgrown schoolboy on his int morning at school.
 "Wont you come inY asked the wid- 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.
 T-I can't this morning." stammered Hr. Fields. "rd like ton- with look full of bashful admiration into the wid- owls pretty face; 'sbut I'm rather in 8 hurry, you sec"
 Come in this evening, then" urged the widow, sscan't you? It's very lone some. Iwish you would, now, really, MT. Fields"
 "II winr' answered MT. Fields. "pn bring my chess board and men along, if you've no objections, Mrs. Deane."
 "I should be delighted to see you," an- swered the widow smilingly. '1 am sure I can beat you, MT. Fields"
 ''I shouldn't wonder" answered MT. Fields. "Erm no match for women," he added, with very rosy face, and wondering how he was ever bold enough to say it.
 .Oh, you, naughty manln cried the wf4ow N shall beat you just to pay you for thatl See if don'tp'
 "I dare say," responded MT. Fields as he bowed good morning. "What 8 charming creature she isF' he thought as he passed on. ''Pd be perfectly happy if she was Mrs. Fields" Here he had to hlush ct the idea of any woman's being Ara Fields "Ido believe she likes me, but wouldn't dare to ask her for any thing. Every time I think of such a thing my heart thumps just like ham, mer against my ribs. IT 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 those 9d maids should take it into their heads tb ask 8 fellow to have them! And of course they wouldl Good gracious! I'd never dare to tell them no, and I'd sooner be in the bottom of the sea than to have any of themr'
 , W Nr. Fields broke out in cold perspi- ss1ian M over at the bare idea. , xS"NhAt a funny manp' said the pretty widow to herself. with 8 soft little laugh, as MT. Fields went on down the road "pm sure he'd like to ask me to be Mrs. Fields, if he dared to, but he ham't pluck enough. How he does blnsh when l look at him! I was very near laughing in his face, he looked SO confused. l like him ever so much, and don't think I'd answer him Mo- if he szaske1 me-s certain question:. but I don't believe he could muster up courage enough to ask it. don't see why he need be SO bashful. I'm sure I'm not at all digniied or distant"
 The widow looked more charming than ever when she sat in the parlor waitin9 for Mir. Fields that evening. She had on a neat brown dress of just the precise shade to show off her clear complexion; and the little knot of blue ribbon at her throat was the next pretty color, and the white rosebud, which she fastened over her pink ear, made her look as youthful as she did the day she married Archie Deane, six years before. She sighed softly when she looked at the plain wedding ring upon her finger. Archie had been dead three years and over.
 A step on the path announced that some one was coming. Pretty soon some one knocked. She went to the door and admitted MT. Fields. -
 SH3lought it was you" she said, talk LII 8;hat ssTake that easy chair, Mir Feads- I'm 30 glad you came over. get 60 lonesome" and little sigh gave emphasis to the words.
 MT. Fields sighed too. He got lone some sometimes in his bachelor guar ters, but he wouldn't have dared to say % for the world, with the widow bright eyes looking full into his face.