Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-04-02
HIS GREATEST MOVE.
BY EMMA NJ. WISE.

NUT tue III t11 year OF NTS. OSBOOu >
widowhood had passed away every body
in Lebanon commenced to say it was a
shame that she didn't marry again.
There had been time half year be-
fore when it seemed as though there
was possibility of her doing such
thing, and then the vacillating public
had thrown up it's hands in horror and
had declared that to SO desecrate the
memory of loved one in such short
time was sacrilege pure and simple,
and that no right-minded woman would
think of bestowing herself as helpmate
upon another before the lamented Os-
good was cold in his grave. -Four years
and half was hardly sufficient time
for person to attain state of frigidity,
reckoning by Lebanon standards. But
when her cousin, who had been visiting
her for short time, went back east and
the severely censurcd widow very clear
~ demonstrated that her intentions
had been entirely misunderstood, Leb-
anon, collectively and individually, be-
gan to lean toward the other side of the
fence, and it wasn't long till it had
jumped clear over and was equally loud
in it's renunciations of a woman who
was selfshly Withholding the light of
her comely countenance from some poor
wayfarer whose path might need illum-
lining by her presence.
Perhaps the one person in all Lebanon
who was most sincerely grieved by Mrs.
Osgood's Oft repeated and. evidently
meant assertion that she had no desire
to renounce her widowhood was Joseph
Lawrence. Lawrence was a retired pol
itician, who for some twenty-odd years
had served his country in one capacity
and another, but who had at last
grown tired of originating and execut-
ing schemes for the party's aggrandize-
ment and had settled down on the pro-
cceds realized, which, though large,
were not commensurate with the pro-
digious amount of work which he had
conscientiously performed. He had long
looked with covetous eyes on Mrs. Os-
good, and even when the report that she
had pronounced her ultimatum in re-
gard to second marriages was tripping
from tongue to tongue, the natural
buoyancy of his nature prevailed and
he bolstered up his spirits with the
hope that the widow had wisely de-
clined to set up the true secret of her
heart to be pecked at by social davis.
Hope did not allay suspense, however,
and in order to relieve the troubled
state of his mind he decided to content
himself no longer with secondhand de-
cisions, but to apply directly to the
court of justice as administered by the
widow, for a verdict.
Mr.. Lawrence's experience as poll
tician had bred in him an air of extreme
urbanity when in the presence of wom-
en- and children taken as a collective
part of a voters possessions, but dealing
with one of the opposite sex at close
range and as distinct individual was
something rarely essayed by the erst-
while willy manager, and the morning
when he called on Mrs. Osgood to learn
whether or no there were good grounds
or the rumors then afoat his manner
gave evidence of trepidation such as
he could not remember ever to have
foundered in before. The candid greet
ing which his hostess always extended
to callers, instead of putting him at
his ease, only served to bewilder him
the more and, with bluntness which
would have filled his diplomatic soul
with horror in political move, he
went at the subject that was responsible
for his visit.
Mrs. Osgood," he said, between asth-
matte catches of his breath, 81 hear it
said throughout the village that you
never intend to marry again. My neigh
bors-your neighbors-our neighbors
consider this not only folly but q
positive wrong on your part. see,
more clearly, perhaps, than any other,
the fallacy of your conclusions and be-
seech you TO reconsider, if gossip has re-
ported you correctly. Mrs. Osgood, do
you mean never to marry again?"
The lady's face was tinged with a
slight flush, and she hesitated a mo.
ment before answering.
Really, Mr.. Lawrence" she replied,
at length, your question is a very
pointed one, and 1 was trying to de-
eide whether or not you have a right
TO expect an answer. But as it is a
HHGUeT Oh WHICH L nave uO TcoSou W
maintain any particular secrecy. don't
mind telling you that L am decidedly
prejudiced against second marriages.
Such a course might be pardonable in
some cases, but in this instance, never"
Lawrence's countenance was elongated
to ridiculous degree.
"Since you have positively stated that
much" he hazarded, perhaps you will
tell me what is your reason"
She turned in her chair till her gaze
rested on the figure of a boy, who was
training vines in the garden beyond
the wide driveway.
my life belongs to him." she said,
softly, and the tears welled up in her
pretty eyes and trembled on her long
lashes. "He is my only child, and SO
long as l can keep him with me 1 shall
have no desire for another companion.
When he marries, which time, please
heaven, will never come while 1 live,
then l may consider the ACCESSIBILITY of
choosing another husband"
Lawrence sighed. In his calculations