The morning call., 1893-02-11

N0G ~ gington. widow of
OO~~o>~S two years, whose hus-
band. with that wise forethought which
some men do possess. had left her comfort
ably ''wen fixed" as the phrase goes, sat at
a cheerful CRATE fire In the parlor of hand
somely furnished fiat in the most aristo-
cratic portion of the western part Of the
city.
Reclining on a Turkish chair upholstered
with 81 so old-rose brocaded silk. the SUBJ
dued light that came from several jets
through rose-tinted globes that ornamented
the silver-plated gas fixtures east glow
upon the features of Widow Sngginton that
hid the burrows that old Father Time during
a period of sixty short summers and sixty
long, dreary winters had plowed on her
once beautiful, yet still intelligent-lo0king.
face.
She was surrounded by c0terie Of near
and dear friends, near and dear because she
was rich and entertained In a most extrava-
CANT style. To them Widow Sniggingt0n
was recounting tales of the long ago. how
in her youth she had won the love of this
one and that one, and went over the time
when she was finally wooed and won by
the one who translated her from glddy girl
hood TO stately wifehood.
"Ah," said she in a languid manner.
which she had acquired while spending
portion OF her inheritance on the Continent.
II am really astonished to see 30 many
young girls of this city going 10 the road
that leads to an old maids grave"
THAT suggests TO me" interposed Will
liam Henry Harrison Heutly, that we have
with us tonight the charming Miss
Jacquelne TOoprecise, young lady who,
l aha sorry to say, gives indications that she
has purchased through ticket 10 travel by
the route you mention"
"Your remarks. sir" snapped the charm
ing but naughty Jaequeline ToopreciSe,
'are personal, impairment, and l must say
| never expected to hear such words fall
from your lips and she buried her face In
q seventeen dollar lace handkerchiaI-a
Christmas gift from Widow Sniggington.
NO intention TO Offend" aDOleSellcally
said William Henry Harrison Hently;
''ony prompted TO make the remark because
! have watched you and noted the many eX-
cellent offers you have refused during the
past twenty years"
Come, children" patronlzingly said the
widow, This kind OF talk must cease. Let
Us talk of something else; for instance"
and she held up her be jeweled hand, do
YOU not admire that beautiful opal and dia-
mond marQuise? 1t was given me by one
of my dearest friends" Then SHE extended
her hand for William Henry Harrison
Renily to obtain better view OF the jewel.
"And do YOU know" she continued alter
William Henry Harrison Hently had ex-
pressed his opinion, lit IS my intention to
leave this when l die, 10 our sweet friend
JacQuene.
On hearing these words JaeqGeline slowly
raised her head, removed the delicate lace
'kerchief 10 show face free from the trace
of tears. and said with a tone full Of joyous
Anticipation, Really, my adorable friend,
you are too good, too kind; you know you
are"
IF that is your intention. my dear Mrs.
SniggingtOn," suggested Mrs. Feberlee of
Octavia street, would it not be a capital
idea to make some provision Of that sort IN
your will? For, you know. life Is so uncer-
tain. and you know"
Thank you for the suggestion" inter-
rupted the widow. but let me tell you"
she continued, falling from continental con-
yersati0n 10 everyday slang, "when Ne
linda Anatasia Sniggington is sent for she'll
know what she's about and don't you for
get it"
Il was month after the scene above de-
scribed that there was sorrow In the elegant
flat OF the Widow SngginGtOn. The cur
tains in all the rooms we're drawn and
those who moved about tTOd on tiptOe over
the soft carpets lest they should make a
noise that would disturb one who lay on
bed in my lady's chamber.
The light in the chamber was turned low
lest the glare should disturb the occupant OF
the couch.
But ali this was useless, for the occupant
Of the couch, which had been smoOthed
down by loving hands, was unconscious to
all that was going on. II was Widow Snig-
gnglon. She had been stricken by what
tie attending physician declared was
hcmiphlegia, which, IN ordinary English,
IS an attack Of palsy. followed by apoplexy
and death.
The adjoining rooms were crowded. and
those therein surrounded the man Of medi-
cine as he emerged from the sickroom.
They all. IN husbed voices, simultaneously
asked, What are the chances2'
IL tone OF voice that 50 well becomes a
physician who expects $50 a visit. he in
formed them that there was no hope and
before the setting OF the sun the services Of
a fashionable undertaken one of those who
charge a high price for materials aud add Is
per cent to the bill for style, would have to
be called in.
At this moment Jacqueline, who had beer
sent for and had been informed that her
friend had been suddenly stricken. entered
and in tremulOus voice asked, rs there
any hope? When she was apprised that
there was none she said, Poor Mrs. Snig-
gington, ard she didn't know what she was
doing when she was called for"
a cambria handkerchief which does duty
excep; on occasions Of state came from the
ufUtHH VI bdN4utiiilC , NY oAClibNS Ibthtb
and with 1t she wiped away genuine tear.
not one OF these makeup ones, and then
she asked. Did she say anything after she
was siricken?'
"Ouce. while was with her." said the
doctor. 81 heard her mutter Jacque. but of
course did not know what she meant"
81 Know" uttered Jacqueline, SORROW
fully. ''She wanted me TO give me that mar
quise Now I'm sure it's lost 10 me for
ever" and Jacqueline laid her 35-year-od
head on the shoulder of a sYmpathizing
friend and wept, the others Joining.
As the tears were falling a relative Of the
dying widow, who had been hastily sum-
moned, appeared. and learning the condition
Of affairs, said. in an authoritative voice,
"As Pun the Oldest Of the family. it's my
duty to secure everything, and see that
nothing gets away"
This relative approached the dying
woman, and, in the most unceremonious
manner, removed from her fingers the rich
rings that adorned them. Then he insti-
tuted a search OF the bureau-drawers, and
treasure after treasure he deposited in his
capaci0us pockets.
"Hoid." exclaimed Jacquelne, as the rola-
tive was about to lay his hands on pearl
necklace, which she had given the widow
but short time before, chose precious
beads are mine; | loaned them TO the
widow, and You must not take them"
Jacqueline placed them in the bosom of
her dress, and in stage whisper muttered
i've saved that much, anyhow"
Then William Henry Harrison Hently
stepped forward and folding up hand
some japanese screen, worked in gold
thread and varegated silk. out of which
were made birds and animals such
as never were seen on this planet, said
as he walked out, and wnked with his
other eye, Il paid Sl2 fsr this screen for a
Christmas present for the widow, and as
she won't have any need for screens from
this time out III take it home. 1t shan't
adorn any Gilbert-street parlor, not il
| know it."
where are you going with that, what
ever you may call it?" asked the relative.
intercepting William Henry Harrison
| Hently.
Il loaned that to the widow and I'm going
| TO take II home" was the reply