The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-09-05
THE LITTLE WIDOW
BARLEY DALE

that every one near enough to hear her
was convulsed with laughter, and there
was wicked, challenging look in those
Irish eyes that at once made Miss Dur
ham buckle on her armor.
She called to Durham to go and sit by
her, and took care that Mrs. Clifford had
not chance of speaking to him till $780,
when she retired with her chin in the air
and her meek brother in tow.
To the establishment OF everyone, Dur
ham returned TO the drawing-room in
about hall an hours time. saying he had
come 10 fetch d volume of sermons. If
he had. he remained 10 laugh al some of
Mrs. ClifTord's anecdotes until she pro-
posed game OF billiards, when five or
six OF us adjourned 10 the billiard room,
Durham among the number. | must do
him the justice 10 say he refused at first
10 join us, but Mrs Clifford would not
listen to him, so he yielded
I'll make him smoke tomorrow night
and play pool the following" whispered
the little widow 10 me as she beguiled
Durham into marking for US.
Mrs. Morgan and Warren played against
Mrs. Clifford and !. while old Morgan a
retired stockbrOker, smoked and looked
on, and Durham marked and paid the lit
tie widow elaborate compliments in an
old-fashioned manner, which amused her
highly. He was evidently smitten, and
the wicked little woman encouraged him,
| belieye solely to annoy Miss Durham
She rather snubbed Warren. who could
scarcely take his eyes off her. while she
treated me already as an old friend At
II o'clock she retired, saying that as I
suffered from insomnia i must not sit up
later, so we left Warren and the Nor
gans i'm the, billiard-room, and Durham
cTspt grietly into his room. which was
next 70 ,Wine.
In the morning / happened TO be read
ing the paper in the dining-room, while
Mrs. Clifford was discussed by her own
sex.
a most Objectionable person. my dear.
with no ser.e of the fitness of things
said Miss Durham. still smarting under
the annoyance OF having Mrs. Morgan i'm
puted unto her as sister-in-law. "She
has no sense of color. or she would never
wear a pink rose with her red hair" said
plan girl named Green.
Mrs Clifford's hair was glorious brown,
with rich golden Fights In IL, md | had
given her the rose. ] merel'- eoughed.
lit is a pity she has s"-h brosue. -
said Mrs. Morgan, who mad a Cockney
twang herself.
That is OF no consequence, IL is so
slight. and there is no vulgarity about
the Irish accent; I'm fact, ind IL is Fath-
er q relief 10 a certain twang; but her
ffippant manner is tar more to be regret
ted. and I greve to see that the gentle
men of tie house encourage it," said Miss
Durham, who never lost an opportunity
OF snubblng Mrs. Morgan. and who, OF
course. meant her last remarks for me.
Yes; he- manner is not good style; IL
IS a pity, because that, OF course, IS
fatal" said Mrs Morgan with fndlity,
from which there was no appeal
quite. but then one is liable 10 NEE,
that kind OF person In place of this
description" said Miss Green, who was
nothing II not exclusive.
Il wish We met more OF Mrs. Clifford 5
sort" said !, as ! left these ladies 70
continue their charitable criticisms
which. / have no doubt. waxed still more
severe in my absence
Mr. Durham had appeared at breakfast
earlier. looking as IL butter would not
melt In his mouth, and was now surrep-
tltiousIy talking TO the little widow IN
the. conservatory. She disappeared soon
after 10 my annoyance. and did not see
her again till luncheon, when shr told me
she had eeen writing letters all the morn
/ Ing, and intended 10 enjoy heiseh ali the