Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-07-04
THE WIDOWS ARRIVAL.
A Love Story.

a Love Story.
II was steamer day" at Sitka and
amid all the joyous stir and excitement
that the monthly boat brought US was
one forlorn. unhappy man. Tom Doug
las watched his friends as they eagerly
opened their letters and listened VITA
assumed interest to the bits OF news
they were anxious 10 share, for at oitAa
the population thrCpgs TO the WhaTl
when the steamers whistle IS hearo
and wait the coming of the ship and the
distribution OF the mails. The people
crowd into the tiny postolhce on tne
dock and watch impatiently Tor the
longed-for home letters.
But Toms home letrer was not
comfort to him. well, she is really
coming" he thought, "a month from
to-day. if the steamer is on time. l
will be a married man; worse luck.
How can I ever tell Natalia, dear llttLe
girl! I wouldn't Willingly hurt her
tender feelings for a million dollars, as
hard up as l am" and Tom whistled
Tueiully.
Tom Douglas was a naval officer ana
before being stationed at Sitka he had
been on duty a winter in Washington,
where he plunged into society with that
gay abandon that only a sailor knows,
Tor after three years at sea . young Iel-
low is quite ready for the rush ana
whirl Of the gay capital. All houses
we're open to the handsome Lieutenant
but there was one where he was espc-
cially welcome. The hostess was
pretty widow CT some 26 or 27 years OF
age. Her husband, who had died soon
after their marriage, seemed not TO
have laid a very strong hold on her az
fections, for after mourning him decor
Ously for a year she blossOmed into the
gayest OF the gay and her house be-
came q center for the young officers
who had been the friends Of her hus-
band.
It was there that Tom spent most of
his time. He dropped in during the
morning and discussed the newest gos-
sip OF the latest magazines and came III
for cup Of tea in the afternoon and
remained till her coy parlor was empty
save for himself and her.
Are you going to the assembly to-
night?" he would ask.
"Will you be there, Tome Mrs.
Deering had such good-felloWship
way of using her friends first names.
Yes. I presume So"
well, then, I am going the little
widow would reply.
And that was the way the winter
passed, Tom running in at all hours,
privileged to smoke or read, to talk or
listen, the most INDUCED of all her
callers. When his orders came for bis
immediate removal to Alaska he put
the document in his pocket and went
as usual to the CHEEKY home OF Mrs.
Deering He told her the news, and
was really surprised and hattered by her
reception of it. She took both his
hands in hers and the tears gathered
in her bright eyes.
ooh. Tom" she said, 81 hate to have
you go"
Now, it never occurred to Lieutenant
Douglas before, but at this moment the
idea did come to him., that he was in
love with the widow. He drew her to
him and kissed away her tears, and be-
fore he knew it he was engaged TO Alice
Deering
He left soon after, arranging to have
Alice join him later in the summer, but
owing to the loss of a distant relative
the heir Of whose modest estate she
was, her coming had been greatly de-
layed. 1t was now more than a year
since Tom and she had parted in Wash
ingtOn. In the meantime Tom had
whiled away his leisure hours in the
somewhat narrow circle OF Sitka soci-
ETY., but in that narrow bound he had
found a fair Russian flower that he
knew bloomed for him. Though Tom
had not made love to Natalia-he was
too honorable for that-they had been
together constantly and each knew in
stinctively what was in the others
heart
= believe I'll go and tell Natalia
all" Tom continued to muse, right
now, for of course, as a gentleman and
officer l am bound to keep my word,
and my word is given to marry Alice,
hang it, l wish l had never been born.
She too poor girl, may discover that
my love has somewhat cooled. II it
ever was love it never was the same
feeling have Tor dear, little Natalla,
bless her loving heart"
So Tom went to Natalia and told her
that he was engaged and that another
month would see him married.
Her delicate face whitened, but, con-
trolling herself, she said:
Il congratulate you, Mr.. Douglas"
Then bursting into tears, she turned
away. The sight Of her tears was too
much for Tom. Embracing her tender
~, he said: Il love but you, Natalia,
darling. Oh, that / had met you first!
MY fondness for Alice was but fleeing
thing and my love for you will last for
ever"
Pressing warm kisses on her lips, he
held her close.
Leave me, Tom. 1t is right for You