The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-04-17
HIS GREATEST MOVE.
BY EMMA m. WISE.

After the fifth year of Mrs. Osgoods
widowhood had passed away every body
in Lebanon commenced to say 1T was
shame that she didn't marry again.
There had been a time half year be
fore when il seemed as though there
was possibility of her doing such a
thing, and then the vacillating public
had thrown up it's hands in horror and
had declared that to SO desecrate the
memory of a loved one in such a 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
Tor a person to attain state of frigidity,
reckoning by Lebanon standards. But
when her cousin, who had been visiting
her for a short time, went back east and
the severely censured widow very clear
IL demonstrated that her intentions
had been entirely misunderstood, Leb-
anon, collectively and individually, be
gan to lean toward the other side of the
renee, and it wasn't long till it had
jumped clear over and was equally loud
in its renunciations of woman vino
seifishly 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 retired pol
itieian hn fnf txyanty-n11
had served his country in one capacity
and another. but who had at last
grown tired of originating and eNecut-
ing schemes for the party's aggrandize-
nent 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 coyetous eyes on Mrs Os-
GOOD, and even when the report that she
had pronounced her uItimatum 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 i'll order to relieve the troubled
state of his mind he decided to content
himself no longer with secondhand de-
eisions, bat TO apply directly to the
court of justice administered by the
widow, for verdict.
MIR. Lawrence's experience as a 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
| ..hether or no there were good grounds
| Tor the rumors then afloat his manner
| gave evidence of a trepidation such
| he could not remember ever to have
| floundered 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 a bluntness which
would have filled his diplomatic sou:
with horror in political move, ne
| went at the subject that was responsible
| for his visit.
| Mrs. Osgood," he said, between asth-
| matte catches of his breath, Il hear il
| said throughout the village that you
never intend to marry again. My neigh
bors-your neighbors neighbors
| consider this not only folly but a
| positive wrong on your part l see.
more clearly, perhaps, than any other.
| the fallacy of your conclusions and be
secch 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
| slight flush, and she hesitated mo
ment before answering.
Really, Mr.. Lawrence" she replied
| at length, your question is a very
POINTED one, and | was trying to de
eide whether OF not you have a right
| to expect an answer But as il is
matter on which / have no reason t.
maintain any particular secrecy don't
rind telling you that l am decidedly
| preiudiced against second marriages.
Such course might be pardonable III
| some cases, but in this instance, never.
| Lawrence's countenance was elongated
to a ridiculous degree.
''Since you have positively stated that
much," he hazarded, perhaps you Will
tell me what is your reason"
She turDed iii her chair till her gaze
rested on the figure of 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
4 lashes. HE is my only child, and 50
| long as / can keep him with me L shall
have no desire for another companion.
| When he marries, which time. please
! heaven, will never come while 1 live.
| then / may consider the advisability of
| choosing another husband"
| Lawrence sighed In his calculations
| of prospective happiness the widows
| son had never been considered an un-
known quantity, and he knew to de
| gree of commendable eNactness the age
of the young hopeful in question. He
wouldn't be 16 until the following De-
| cember. The prospect was not very
| encouraging. Under the laws of the
state it was highly improbable that he
should take unto himself a wife before
he was 21, and. viewing the matter even
| from that extraordinarily favorable
| standpoint, the old mans heart grew
| heavy with apprehension as he thought
of the years that must necessarily
tion of his plans.
4 $50 L may take that answer as final,
| / suppose - he suggested meekly