The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-07-07
HE NET HER ONCE.

brella proved Of little avail, and nearing
The Hotel ----- ran up the steps leading to
the ladies' entrance. Hastily opening the
cutter door, l was soon in the vestibule.
There stood woman whose appearance I
shall never forget. She was Of medium
height and plainly, though fashionably
dressed. Her face was not beautiful, but it
was strikingly intellectual, and, further
more, 1t 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.
Atlength, without knowing whatprompt-
ed me to do so, said:
Pardon me, but may be OF any service
to you3p
.'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
cab, and saying, u will return it 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 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 had 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 a card, tube
rose almost hidden in three leaves Of Eng
lish ivy and my umbrella. glanced at the
card; it read, MRS. Alfred B" 1t was
the name Of a man beside whose deathbed
had sat years before in Arizona! Above
the name was written with pencil, with
many thanks for the courtesy Of a stran-
ger.'
Was this poor old BIS wifes Over and
over again ! asked myself this question.
| Though B. and / had been chums in old
cavalry days, and had known him to be a
married man, yet had never met his wife.
Unaccountable as it may seem, this woman
filed my thoughts. | threw down the even
ing paper impatiently and went to theplay.
1t was useless. still saw that troubled
face.
Surely, l said mentally, ''if BIS wife
Is in trouble, may claim acquaintance
with her through his memory, If not by the
instrumentality Of the umbrella episode II
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
Irested badly and arose unrefreshed. By
u o'clock | was well on my way toward
her dwelling. I passed 50 and thought
hers Is the second door beyond Alasl A
large bow of black Grape encircled the bell
knob, and the long ends foated languidl!
In the breeze.
'sThis explains her uneasiness," said al
passed by rapidly. II wonder If it is he
mothers Possibly child. | will see b.
the newspapers"
Invent to my club and there one after tn
other read the death notices. "Strangel'
muttered. II will learn later" But late
the result was the same. Perplexed AM
strangely uncomfortable sought variou
diversions, and with splitting headach
the next morning once again wandere'
toward her house. The Grape was still
there. No sign of life was visible-th
J closely drawn curtains shut all from m
view. First on one corner, then on th
other, spent most of the day watchin
the house. The evening papers were agai
scrutinized. Absolutely nothingl Who
did il meanf
The following day found me once mol
at my post. At noon hearse turned int
Z the avenue followed slowly. 1t stoppe
0 before her door, and just as was passing
t casket was being borne down thesteps.
. was not her child, the size Of the caskt
gave me this much information. Ilooke
back. Several persons clothed in dee
|. mourning were entering the two carriag'
: at the door. As they slowly progressed
followed in their wake. ! felt positive
their destination was near the steps
the church as the persons alighted fro
: the carriages. "Yes, that must be she
C To be sure, | could not see her face beneat
b the heavy veil, and ! was conscious Of son
/ change in her figure, but this | attribute
!. to the somber apparel.
. entered the scantily filled church Al