Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-10-25
A WIDOWS LOVE.

that Tx Monthly boa brought was n
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 Sitl1a tho
population throngs to the wharf when
the steamers whistle is heard and waits
tho coming Of the ship and the distribu-
ton of the mails. The people crowd in
to the tiny p~ostolice ON the dock and
watch impatiently for the longed for
home letters.
But Toms home letter was not a
comfort to him. "Wcll, she is really
coming, y he thought, "a month from
today, if the steamer is ON time. 1 win
DO a married man; worse luck. How
can / ever tell Natalia, dear little grill
i wouldn't willingly hurt her tender
feelings for 81, 600, 600, as hard up as I
am. And Tom whistled r~uefully.
Tom Douglas was q naval officer and
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 n sailor knows,
for after three years at sea a young fell
dow is quite ready for the rush and
whirl Of the gay capital All houses
were open to the handsome lieutenant,
but there was one where he was espe-
cially welcome. The hostess was a pref
ty widow Of some 26 or 81 years Of age.
Her husband, who had died soon after
their marriage, seemed not to have had
a very strong hold ON her affections, for
after mourning him decorously for q
year she blossomed into the gayest of
the gay, and her house became a center
for the young officers who had been the
friends of her husband.
1t 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 a cup of tea in the afternoon and re.
manned till her coy parlor was emrty
save for himself and her.
care you going to the assembly to-
night?" he would ask.
"Will you be there, Tom?" Mrs. Deer
ing had such a good fellowship way of
using her friends first names.
Eyes, I presume So"
"Well, then, I am going" the little
widow would reply.
And that was the way the winter
passed, Tom running in Mt 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, he put
the document in his pocket and went as
usual TO the CHEEKY home Of Mrs. Deer
ing. He told her the news and was real
ly surprised and hattered 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 come to him that he was in
love with tho 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,
tho heir Of whose modest estate she was,
her coming had been greatly delayed. 1t
was now more than a year since Tom
and she had parted in Washington. In
the meantime Tom had whiled away his
leisure hours in the somewhat narrow
circle Of Sitka society, but in that mar
row bound he had found a fair Russian
flower that no 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 ~instinctiyely what was in the
others heart.
II 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 1 wish l had never been born.
She, too, poor girl, may discover that my
love has somewhat cooled. If il ever
was love, it never was the Same feeling
Ihave for dear little Natalia, bless her
loving heart.
SO Tom went to Natalia and told her
that ne was engaged, and that another
month would SEQ him married
Her delicate face whitened, but con
trolling herself she said;
II congratulate you, Mr.. Douglas. ,
Then, bursting into tears, she turned
away. The sight of her tears was toe
much for Tom. Embracing her tender
ly, be said: ~ love but You, Natalia,
darling. Oh, that / had met you first
MY fondness for Alice was but a feet.
ing thing, aud my love for you viii
last forever"
Pressing warm kisses ON her lips.
he held her close.
Leave me, Tom. II Is right for you
to keep your word, but you should have
told me Of your engagement before. W.
hal hest part now. GOcdby.
but can't / come to see you, Ma.
Italia, o. 66uali'
why certainly not, mr. Douglas.