Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-04-27
HE NET HER ONCE.

ionable promenade. The day was bright,
and felt vexed that 1 had Inadvertently
picked up my umbrella instead of cane.
However. the annoyance soon merged into
qualification, for suddenly the sun disap-
peared, and a drenching shower scattered
the pedestrians in every direction. Ny um-
brella proved of little avail, and nearing
the Hotel - ran up the steps leading TO
the ladies' entrance. Hastily opening the
outer door, was soon IN the vestibule.
There stood woman whose appearance
shall never forget. She was Of medium
height and plainly, though fashionably
dressed. Her face was not beautiful, but IL
was strikingly intellectual, and, further
more, IL possessed that charm called by the
English fetching. That she was Of gentle
birth instinctively felt confident, but what
impressed me more deeply was the express
sion OF grief. OF trouble, which the first
glance at her face revealed. She also ap-
peared quite unable TO control her nervous
ness. Pretending to allow my closed UNI
brella to drip before entering the house,
stood almost at her side, glancing out the
glass paneled door and watching her at In
tervals. She showed In every motion she
was not at ease.
At Atlength, without knowing what prompt
ed me to do so, said;
Pardon me, but may be Of any service
TO your"
IF might borrow your umbrella for a
few moments, shall be under lasting obli-
cations TO you"
She refused politely but firmly my re-
peated efforts to persuade her TO let me call
a cab, and saying, IL will return IL TO you
here" she tripped rapidly down the steps
and turned in the direction OF ''up town"
l entered the hotel and lighted cigar
AS i sat smoking, at peace with the world,
wondered What 1t was that SO troubled
the little woman. My cigar finished, re-
turned through the corridor and again stood
in the vestibule. The sun Dad reappeared
and was shining brightly. stepped aside
to allow woman TO enter, and was about
to close the door for her when she said:
"Sir, think these are for you"
With this she handed me card, tube
rose almost hidden in tbree leaves of Eng
lish ivy and my umbrella l glanced at the
card, IL read, Mrs. Alfred B." 1t was
the name Of man beside whose deathbed
had sat years before in Arizonal Above
the name was written with pencil, with
many thanks for the courtesy Of q stran-
ger"
Was this poor old B---'s wifei Over and
over again | asked myself this question.
Though B. and had been chums in old
cavalry days, and had known him to be q
married man, yet had never met his wife
UnaccountabIe as 1t may seem, this woman
filed my thoughts. threw down the even
ing paper impstiently and went to the play.
It was useless. l still saw that troubled
face.
"Surely,"I said mentally, IF B-'s wife
In In trouble, ! may claim acquaintance
with her through his memory, II not by the
was stupid in me not to have asked the
maid where she lived But perhaps the
card bears her residence. Yes, 'S4 - ave-
nue. will call tomorrow"
rested badly and arose unrefreshed. BY
70 o'clock | was well on my way toward
her dwelling. passed 50 and thought
hers is the second door beyond. Alssi A
large bow of black Grape encircled the bell
knob, and the long ends hoated languidly
In the breeze.
''This explains her uneasiness," !" / said as
passed by rapidly. 81 wonder IL It Ia her
motheri Possibly child. ! will see by
the newspapers" --r-r.
went to my club and there one after the
other read the death notices. "Strangep
muttered. II will learn later" But later
the result was the same. Perplexed and
strangely uncomfortable / sought various
diversions, and with a splitting headache
the next morning once again wandered
toward her house. The Grape was still
there. No sign Of life was visible-the
closely drawn curtains shut all from my
view. First on one corner, then on the
other, l spent most Of the day watching
the house. The evening papers were again
| scrutinized. Absolutely nothingi What
| did 1t meani
The following day found me once more
at my post. AT noon hearse turned into
the avenue. followed slowly. 1t stopped
before her door, and just as / was passing q
casket was being borne down the steps. II
| was not her child; the size of the caskel
gave me this much information. looked
back. Several persons clothed In deer
mourning were entering the two carriages
at the door, AS they slowly progressed
followed in their wake l felt positive o.
their destination. | was near the steps o.
the church as the persons alighted from
the carriages. Yes, that must be she.
To be sure, could not see her face beneath
the heavy veil, and was conscious of SOM
change in her figure but this ! attributed
to the somber apparel.
/ entered the scantily filled church an,
occupied one of the rear pews. The word
Of the old clergyman scarcely reached me
A hymn was sung; prayer followed
Then up the aisle In slow procession move'
those who wished to take a farewell look q
the dead.
"Will she think IL vulgar curiosity
met" asked myself as took my place 1
line. "She will see me, Of course, as pas
her pew"
, But she did not The head thought Z
be hers was bent down as IL in prayer.
neared the casket, and there stood longs
, than ! should have done, spellbound. II
troubled look had entirely disappeared, an
In its place shone an expression Of heavenl
, J composure.
took from my buttonhole the tubero,
and laid 1t upon her breast. The card
: among my most valued POSSESSIONS
+. Philadelphia Times.