The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-15
The Little Widow.

At Chenille road . large, squarely
built house of somewhat ancient appear
ance. lived an elderly lady. her two sons
and her niece, the latter OF whom had
been engaged to the elder son, Edwin,
for the last ten years. and who seemed
as near her wedding day at the time OF
her betrothal as at the time our story
opens.
But Miss Lancaster was seemingly con-
tent with life until the little cottage on
the opposite side OF the road at last se-
cured a tenant, a circumstance which Mr..
Edwin seemed to take an extraordinary
interest In, since the tenant was re-
markedly prepossessing nttle woman-a
widow, rich in the possession of q small
annual income and a pretty face.
Miss Lancaster gave way to grief and
was found one day by her younger cousin.
Herbert, sobbing as II her heart would
break. on the sofa.
whats up BELIEF said he anxiously.
You haven't been yourself for some time.
What's troubling your
And Miss Lancaster's pride, which had
been dissolved in her tears, gave way
altogether, and she confded her woes to
her sympathetic listener, and asked his
advice as to whether she should give his
brother his freedom.
Nonsense" said Herbert warmly.
''Ted's all right. It's the woman's fault.
You know men are susceptible to pretty
women who run after them. He's lots
fonder Of you
That evening Herbert made up his mind
to interfere for the first time in other
peoples business. Edwin was going bit
too far and the affair, must be stopped.
He unused for a long time on the best
manner Of doing II, and at last decided
that the wisest thing to do was to make
love to the widow himself, even at the
risk Of offending the young lady he had
set his affections upon.
And he did, too, and found making
love to the widow an easy and pleasant
undertaking. Nearly every evening he
spent at the cottage, and the little widow,
delighted at her new conquest, became so
cold about her former one that success
for his scheme was promised from the
first. She was SO pretty and had such
winning manners that before long the
younger brother began to excuse the elder
for his infatuation and feel sorry for him
and his unfortunate engagement
One afternoon after escorting the widow
home from q walk, Herbert thought OF
Grace, with pang of dutiful reproach.
and, getting on his bicycle, rode or
whistling to call upon her.
When he arrived at the house he found
Grace chatty and cordial. but with an en-
tireiy different manner about her, which
profoundly puzzled him until ne caught
the sparkle of a ring upon her finger.
You will be pleased, know, to hear
that am engaged" she said, half shyly.
And ] am sure you will be able to
congratulate me, since you intend to COM
NIT matrimony yourself"
Herbert rode Off home for all he was
worth. But when he reached Chenille
road he was so absent-minded that he
wheeled his bicycle straight up to the cot
tage, and before he knew what he was
doing ne found himself In the back gar
den of the widows snug little home.
Strange enough. there was Mrs. Law
renee sitting upon the garden seat and
looking so youthful and charming that he
felt quite confused at his audacity and
nervously accepted her invitation to sit
down.
AZ came" ne began, "to make q clean
breast Of everything to you. I haven't
treated you fairly, Mrs. Lawrence. l."
Dear, dear!" said the little widow,
brightly. whats all this about? You
haven't anything to reproach yourself
dOOuI- OOH YOU 5uppOSS u AnOW PeIIect-
~ we'll why YOU have made yourself so
amiable to me all along?"
''How you must despise met groaned
Herbert.
mot at ALL" smiled Mrs. Lawrence.
81 admire you for It. You did It for
that other woman's sake, and a disinter-
ested motive is always a commendable
one"
do you know what people are saying
of us?" said Herbert, regretfully.
'No-what?" asked the widow, in limo
cent wonder.
THAT we are engaged to be married"
'How absurd" said the widow, family.
els 1t so absurb?" demanded the young
man. els It Blanche?"
'Ridiculous!' said the little widow, as
her head fell gently upon his shoulder
Cincinnati Herald.