The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-11-18
THOSE WIDOWS WEEDS.

Zurich. The tourist season was Just
beginning; the table d'hote was suf-
ficiently crowded to be interesting,
without the feverish hurry and scram.
bic that mark the height of the sea-
son, and we were in that leisurely, go-
as-you-please frame of mind charac-
teristic of couple OF hardworked men
just emanclpated from the sitting
drudgery of London Office work, and
now pausing for day or two at the
first stage of their summer holiday.
With the exquisite sense of freedom
from all obligations and engagements
the feeling of relief from all irksome
duties, and the exhilaration of change
OF scene and encourage, there comes a
disposition to take a laZily observant
interest in everything around, above
ali In the appearance, characteristics,
and demeanor of ones fellow-travelers,
however well worn and familiar may
be their types. The anxious English
mauon, suspicious of strange dishes
the burly paterfamilias airing his
.short-syllabled t'rench--the metallic
voiced Amerlcaine, with her calcula-
tions and guesses-the obese Teuton
supplementing the axiom that fingers
were made before forks, with a cor
ollary that knives were intended to be
used before either-the bushy eye
broNe ed Frenchman, With his servieite
tucked under his chi---all these types
ad seen 4 hundred times before,
h was port of our holiday feeling
a. he beginning of our trip that we
81 oud be renewing our acquaintance
with them once again.
had just recovered from the
&C 'mplation of quartet Of our own
co rywomen, whose skinny gar
D. 5 ana angular outlines went far
I dstify the cartoons wherein for
,rs are wont to delineate the sal
len characteristics Of the British fe-
male. when an app3rition of very
different character arrested our atten-
IL In the act of taxing their seats
little table near us were three
po.sons: a middle-aged, gray-haired
clergyman; pleasant-looking homely
LADY. obviously his wife; and @ young
g.fi With very beautiful blue eyes and
a i.o.usion of golden hair. She SEEM
tx 10 be not more than twenty-one;
brt re blue eyes were sad and pensive;
al IA the thick clusters OF the gol-
de- hair rested-a widows cap; while
her perfectly fitting black dress, with
Its broad white linen collar and cuffs.
Is "2ycd to the utmost advantage the
u:-IGiat!ng lines of full and graceful
figure.
J ga2ed with admiration at this
charming vision, to whose blooming
youth and beauty the sombre garp OF
kT,
30 riquant and touching a contrast;
but on turning to NJ. in the expectation
Of meeting in his face a reflection OF
my own emotion, l was surprised to
hnd in the attentive scrutiny with
which he was regarding her an eX-
preston which could not quite under
stand. NJ can make his face as in
scrutable as a door knocker when he
likes and his look at this moment was
absolutely undecipherable. All could
make out was that he was regarding
SOM one whom he did not like. How
ever, was not to be put off.
Smart young widow over there"
said I.
Him." said NJ, deliberately. How
do you know she's a widow"
She wears the uniform, anyhow"
said |. DO you know who she is,
them"
NJ. put down his knife and fork, leanv
his elbows on the table, and said:
That is Tom Heatherington girl"
Not really? Then she wears that
dress for him? Poor thing!"
Poor thing!" echoed NJ, in a tone
whose dryness and want of sympathy
Jared unpleasantly upon me.
Fer it was pathetic little story. one
that had found its way into the news
pare ;, and had aroused general sym
pa hY and interest Suicide on the
I a Wedding" so ran the head
lint md so shouted the newspaper
bC; thankful for so attractive an ad-
We. ament OF their wares. The even
II apers sold well that night, ana
el d passengers in suburban trains
81 ed their eyes TO peruse the grew
So. detalls-how the bridegroomelect
ha ,lired to rest the night before the
Vt tHs-day, apparently in his usual
nc 4 and spirits-how the best man
b. o. s!asted alone, and attributed his
US. d's delay in appearing to his maxi
'Et ne elaborate toilet proper to the
cciAipg, the best man went up stairs
tc his room and found the door lock-
ef acw, as no knocking could make
hin answer the hall porter broke open
tho door; and the chambermaids
shEeAed, and there was general tur-
mcli aud excitement and wonder
throughout the hotel, for he was lying
mere In bed, dead some hours, and the
laulanum bottle stood on the table by
the btdside, hard by letter addressed
to his. betrothed-all this had, for the
noaee, ministered sweetly to the NOR
BID sensationalisnl OF the day, and
many hearth had been cheered. and
many dinner eaten with better anne
tite. for this dainty hors doeuyre
Poor mani" said the ladies. II pity
the girl said the gentlemen.
"Spashul," said the newspaper boys
and all were satisfied.
1t was distinctly djsagreeable of NJ.
not to share in the general feeling. But
then, he is queer sort of fellow, and
he happened to like ION Hetherlngton,
and he happened to be down there a.