Middletown transcript., 1891-05-28

AltOgetner, tne irdsclOle captain
thought, Cad the finest woman I've
seen for years!" For the widows form
fully equalled her face, and she was
handsomely dressed. ,
81 am, madame" he repeated.
+" Where is your luggage?"
Here it is. I am alone-that is,
with the exception of my nurse and
baby. I have to travel SO much now,
and always alone"
Tears seemed very close to the
lovely widows lovely eyes, and a
mournfully appealing tone touched
even the ironclad heart of Captain
Muggins.
"All right, ma'am. Have noth-
ing to declare, suppose?"
" Nothing. Please examine my
trunks, for / long to rest, and my
baby has been quite seasick, poor
darling p
The trunks were examined careful
Iy; for, however fine woman the
widow might be, duty before senti-
ment was the captains motto.
Nothing was found, and the trunks
were passed.
The widow took her baby from the
nurses arms and hushed it to sleep.
as it had evinced signs of disquietude
by beginning to whimper.
/" A fine child, ma'am," said the
captain, who hated babies like poi
son.
Is he not beautiful, my Henri p
the image of his dear-ohI p s. sob
completed the sentence.
He was beautiful-at least as much
as could be seen of him, for he was
one mass of silk and embroidery, his
rosy face half concealed by ilmy
vail.
He is a fine fellow-how old.
might he be?" the captains parboiled
eyes shone with interest; he admired
the widow more every moment.
"Seven months to-morrow-poor
little darling to think how much he
has travelled !"
He has, ma'am ?"
Yes; by his dear fathers very
strange will, | live six weeks in Paris
and six in England. alternately"
Rather troublesome for you,
am"
"Oh, l don't mind for myself"
said the bewitching widow, with
swift upward fash Of her adorable
eyes but my poor little boy fancy,
l might risk his health, might even
lose him." here she seemed about to
give way to her feelings. but just then
as the captain murmured, "Oh, l
hope not" alphabetically, the bonnie
came up to say that the carriage wait
ed, and with hurried +" Thank you
SO much-good-by," the beautiful
widow disappeared.
"Ah! that's something like
woman" calculated the captain, as he
resumed his official duties. He felt
that Providence had been guilty of
gross injustice in not providing him
with Just such a wife, instead of poor.
faded. weak-eyed, heart-broken Mrs.
Muggins.
In three weeks the beautiful widow
returned to France, and in six weeks
she again had her luggage examined
by the captain, who became more
deeply interested than before. This
sort of thing continued for nearly a
year. Captain Muggins was now
violently enamored of the lovely
widow. who long ago had informed
him that her name was Mrs. Cecil,
and that her husbands death had left
her very wealthy, though sadly in
convenienced by the terms Of his
strange will.
Master Henri throve apace; he
grew wonderfully large and heavy,
and was remarkably good baby-so
quiet.
He is quite a sailor" said the
captain, as he stood examining the
trunks after rather a stormy voy age.
Yes; and, poor darling, he cried
SO very dreadfully during the pas
sage, he is quite worn out"
When the widow and the captain
had become acquainted year or SO,
the head officer of the department
sent for Captain Muggins one day.
He received him in his private
office. and remarked, as soon as he
saw him:
81 sent for you, Muggins, for l
know you are very sharp"
"Thank you, sir," replied the cap
tain, pleased by the compliment.
Well, Muggins, have something
rather unpleasant to say
Eyes, sir"
The captain felt rather alarmed.
"I've received information that a
noted smuggler has been getting
ahead of us for year, bringing over
diamonds, laces, etc.-thousands of
pounds worth of valuables. I have
known it for some time; but though
I've tried every way, I'm blowed if l
can spot him."
The captains face grew redder.
81 hope, sir, that you don't imagine
l neglect my duty?" he said, humbly.
Like all other bullies, he was a
great coward.
No, don't. But it is quite pos.
sible that some one has been a little
too smart for you."
81 scarcely think that possible"
said the captain.
"Well, well, the thing Is that the