The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1895-07-24
A WIDOWS LOVE.

A WIDOWS LOVE.
1t was "steamer day" at Sitka, and
amid all tho joyous stir and excitement
that the monthly boat brought was one
forlorn, unhappy man. Tom Douglas
watched his friends as they eagerly
opened their letters and listened with
assumed interest to the bits of news they
were anxious to share, for at Sitka the
population throngs to the wharf when
the steamers whistle is heard and waits
the coming of tho ship and the distribu
tion Of the mails. The people crowd in
to the tiny postoffice ON the dock and
watch impatiently for the longed for
home letters.
But Toms home letter was not q
comfort to him. well, she is really
coming" he thought, "a month from
today, if the steamer is on time I will
be married man; worse luck. How
can ever tell Natalia, dear little girl !
wouldn't willingly hurt her tender
feelings for 81, 000, 900, as hard up as
am. T" And Tom whistled ruefully.
Tom Douglas was naval officer and
before being stationed at Sitka he had
been ON duty winter in Washington,
where he plunged into society with that
gay abandon that only n sailor knows,
for after three years at sea young fell
low is quite ready for the rush and
whirl of the gay capital All houses
were open to the handsome lieutenant,
but there was ono where he was espe-
cially welcome. Tho hostess was pref
ty widow of some 90 or 81 years of ago.
Her husband, who had died soon after
their marriage, seemed not to have had
very strong hold ON her affections, for
after mourning him decorously for
year she blossomed into the gayest of
the gay, and her house became u center
for tho young officers who had been the
friends of her husband.
It was there that Tom spent most of
his time. He dropped in during the
morning and discussed the newest gos-
sip or the latest magazines and came in
for cup of toa III tho afternoon and re-
manned till her coy parlor was empty
save for himself and her.
caro- you going to the assembly to-
night?" no would ask.
Will you be there, Toinf'' Mrs Deer
ing had such good fellowship way Of
using her friends first names.
Eyes, presume SO. y
"Well, then, / am going" tho 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 his
immediate removal to Alaska, no put
tho document In his pocket and went as
usual to tho CHEEKY home of Mrs. Deer
ing. He told her the news and was real
ly surprised and flattered by her recep-
ton of it, She took both his hands In
hers, and the tears gathered in her bright
eyes.
"Oh Tom, she said, "Ihate to have
you CO."
Now, it never occurred to Lieutenant
Douglas before, but at this moment the
idea did como 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 1t 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 distant relative,
the heir of whose modest estate she was,
her coming had been greatly delayed. 1t
was now more than q year since Tom
and she had parted in Washington. In
the meantime Tom had whiled away his
leisure hours in the somewhat marrow
circle Of Sitka society, but in that mar
row bound he had found a fair Russian
flower that he knew bloomed for him.
Though Tom had not made love to Ma
talia-he was too honorable for that
they had been together constantly, and
each knew instinctively what was in the
others heart.
''I believe I'll go and tell Natalia
all" Tom continued to muse, fright
now, for Of course as a gentleman and
officer am bound to keep my word,
and my word is given to marry Alice
hang It'll wish had never been born.
She, too, poor girl, may discover that my
love has somewhat cooled. IL 1t ever
was love, it never was the same feeling
I have for dear little Natalia, 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:
~ congratulate you, Mr.. Douglas -
Then, bursting into tears, she turned
away The sight of her tears was too
much for Tom. Embracing her tender
ly, no said: ~ love but you, Natalia,
darling. Oh, that I had met you first
My fondness for Alice was but feet
ing thing, and my love for You will
last forever. +"
Pressing warm kisses ON her lips,
he held her close
Leave me, Tom. 1t is right for you
to keep your word, but you should have
told me Of your engagement before. We
had best part now. Goodby. +"
"But can't I come to see You, Ma
Italia, as usualf"
"Why, certainly not, Mr.. Douglas.
It would only 10 painful, for we can
never, from this time forward, be any
thing but the most formal Of friends -
Tom was touched by the simple dig
nifty Of the young Russian girl, whose
quiet life had been spent by the sea-
shore under the shadow Of the noun
tains, far from the noise Of city or