Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-17


satisfied until she had her own way, and
waited to hear all she had to say on the
subject before speaking conclusively.
| The lady finally remembered that she
had seen picture, in an art gallery on
Fifth avenue, of, she thought, Cleo
| patra, and that one hand was bent and
resting beside the head, the other cast
across the form and holding fan made
Of the feathers of rare birds. The widow
| desired the hand up by the head, as she
had really exquisite arms, and the sleeve
of the lace dress was flowing. With
! one arm like that, and the brilliant
whiteness of the other peeping through
the meshes of the lace, there was hardly
man in existence who would not risk
a limb TO have both around his neck.
The widow was a. length set out in
that matter, with the head gently lean
ling back on gold and crimson pillow,
the chin slightly raised to bring forth the
whole swan-like outline of the throat.
Little white-satin shoes that looked like
toys were placed on her feet, and the
French maid retired several times to ad-
mire her work, and fell into ecstacies
over it. The widow was complete at
three o'clock, and the young ladies
took their position in the trout
room. The maid went upstairs to recon-
noitre from the front window, and calm
and peace reigned through that anxious
house. The lawyer delayed, and the
widow became uneasy. She called her
daughter and asked if she was sure he
would come. The daughter was quite
sure. The French maid was summoned
and asked her opinion. She was certain
he would not fail. The widow was not
comfortable, and wanted drink. They
gave her lemonade, the maid holding
the glass to her lips with napkin under
it for fear of drop falling somewhere
She had then to carefully wipe the lips
with the corner Of lace handkerchief,
and add little rose salve to keep the
ruby glowing.
All then returned to their posts, and
fifteen minutes elapsed. They seem like
years to the widow. She was not only
in a state of high expectation but get
ting hungry. The daughters friend was
noted harpist, and part of the perfor-
nance was that, as soon as the lawyer
was seated in the back room she should
play something soft, suggesting moon
light and fairies. When the lawyer fell
before the shrine she was to change the
music to the old French song, "Comme
jet'aime," so as to give the widow
chance to say "That music speaks my
heart" The maid advised that the
daughter sing the song, as she had sweet
voice and could give it feeling, but the
widow said "No, her daughter singing
the song would remind him of the
daughter, and that he was about to be-
come a step father. 1t would not do
at all.
As the young friends fingers swept
the harp the widow called out to stop,
as the sound vibrated on her nerves and
irritated her. She had fixed upon
smile, ard did not want to lose it. She
needed something to eat, and the maid
placed an olive between her lips and
af.erward removed the stone. The
widow was growing tired and beginning
to feel that the whole business would be |
a failure. when sharp pull came to the
bell. The ladies rushed to their stations,
and the maid upstairs. The butler /
opened the door and called the maid. |
He did not know whether the lady was
in or not. The maid came down and did /
not know either. She requested him to
go into the back roopAsaas the young
lady had friends in the front, and she
would go and see if her mistress were at
home. She had long hunt.
In the meantime the lawyer became
accustomed to the light in the room
and could discern objects. All of sud |
den his glance encountered the lounge, |
aud he fell back--what a revelation!
His movement reused the lady, and she !
turned with little cry. At the same
moment a tiny foot stepped to the |
floor, and the lawyer was en-
tranced. The widow sat up aud recov-
cred her surprise at seeing gentleman
in the room, and being discovered in a
moment of dreamy forgetfulness. She |
lang for the maid, and when that person
appeared, chided her for not knowing
she was there. The maid excused her.
self and went away. Then the harp rang
out in the front room, and the lawyer
fell at the widows feet, declaring he had |
been blind up to that instant, but the |
whole fragrance and beauty of creation |
were revealed to him, and he would seize !
II on the snot if he darad
The music on the harp changed under
the direction of the daughter and the
maid, who were watching through an
opening between the folding doors. An
easy chair had been placed carelessly by |
the lounge, and the lawyer accidentally |
took it. AS he did so be touched the !
widows hand and inquired how she felt
toward him. She answered according |
to agreement, and laid her head upon
his shoulder. He was detained to din
ner. On returning to the drawing Dom
he took advantage CT a moment con-
trived by the widow when they were
alone. He approached her slowly and
timidly, and she thought at last he was
going to propose. She became anxious,
nervous and feared she would break
down before he could declare his love.
The lawyer began cautiously, as became
his craft, and the lady hung on to every
word. He explained his position, and
she assured him there was ample means
in the family. He did not, however,
wish to be pensioner on his wife, and
as his affairs had lately prospered he had
concluded to change his condition. The
widow almost tainted at the word
"wife,n but with great courage and
effort bore up. She wished, though, he
would come to the point, and the next
moment he did So
81 have never seen such grace, such
beauty, such sweetness as have this
night, he said.
Eyes, yes" CALCULATED the widow,
breathless.
"And l have the honor, madam, he
went on. 'sto ask for the hand
eyes, yes! the hand" and she put
hers out to him, he took it and con-
tinued:
eyes, the hand of your daughter
She swooned and fell back on the
sofa.
He was compelled to call for help and