Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-14
THE WIDOWS WAGER.

busy with some kind of fancy work
which showed off her plump, well shaped
hands, with the wedding ling 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 a more kissable,
charming face.
wonder why young widows are al
ways pretty and charming? No matter
how plain they may be before their hus-
bands ego the way of all fesh," 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!
1t is strange that such should be the
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.. Fields?" 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,
"Wont you come in?" 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.
"I-I can't this morning." stammered
Mr.. Fields. "I'd like to- with look
full of bashful admiration into the wild
owls pretty face; "but I'm rather in a
hurry, you see."
"Come in this evening, then," urged
the widow, 'can't you? It's very lone
some. 1 wish you would, now, really,
Mr.. Fields"
CT will!' answered Mr.. Fields. "Tll
bring my chess board and men along, if
you've no objections, Mrs. Deane."
81 should be delighted to see you," an
oWCICu luc WluOW SulluIlSlN. Il ulQ
sure can beat you, Mr.. Fields"
81 shouldn't wonder" answered Mr.
Fields Tim no match for women"
he added, with very rosy face and
wondering how he was ever bold enough
to say it.
"Oh, you naughty mani" cried the
widow. 81 shall beat you just to pay
you for that! See if I don'tr'
81 dare say" responded Mr.. Fields as
he bowed good morning. "What a
charming creature she isp' he thought as
he passed on. "Td be perfectly happy
il she was Mrs. Fields" Here he had to
blush at the idea of any woman's being
Mrs. Fields. II do 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. IL 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
old maids should take it into their heads
to ask fellow to have them! And of
course they would! 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 themw
Mr.. Fields broke out in cold perspi-
ration all over at the bare idea.
"What funny man!' said the pretty
widow to herself, with a soft little
laugh, as Mr.. Fields went on down the
road. "I'm sure he'd like to ask me to
1,a al Ja ha 10 1,,t l~
hasn't pluck enough. How he does
blush when 1 look at him! was very
near laughing in his face, he looked SO
confused. l like him ever so much, and
1 don't think Id answer him No. if he
asked me certain question; but I don't
believe he could muster up courage
enough to ask it. 1 don't see why he
need be SO bashful. I'm sure I'm not at
all dignified or distant"
The widow looked more charming
than ever when she sat in the parlor
waiting for Mr.. Fields that evening.
She had on 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 tina:
some one was coming. Pretty soon SONS
one knocked. She went to the door and
admitted Mr.. Fields
81 thought it was you," she said, TAX
ing his hat "Tal1e that easy chair, Mr.
Fields. I'm SO glad you came over.
get SO lonesome" and little sigh gave
EN- )hasis to the words.
Mr.. Fields sighed too. He got lone
some sometimes in his bachelor quar-
ters, but he wouldn't have dared to say
SO for the world, with the widows
bright eyes looking full into his face.
The widow sat down and chatted
away in her lively fashion. Mr.. Fields
kept watching her when he could do SO
without her seeing him. Once she look
ed up suddenly and caught his eye fixed
ON her face, and then he turned as red
as the roses in the window, and just the
faintest tinge of carnation came into
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