Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-03
THAT WIDOW.


sort OF fond admiring tenderness
at the bright eyed, damask checked
little woman who was industriously
brushing his coat.
As she gave it a shake to complete
Inc process a letter fell from one OF
the side pockets-a letter addressed to
II. Matchley, ESQ.," in a dainty femi-
nine handwriting.
"A letter from LADY," she cried
out, the merry sparkIes of mischief
coming into her eyes. "Oh, Hugh,
who is she?"
"That is my secret, Mrs. Matchley,"
he returned with assumed dignity.
rs 1t on business?"
Certainly 1t is on business he
answered. give me my hat; there's
a darling. And now goodby until 4
o'clock"
4 Mamie Matchley had been farm
er's daughter, and, although she had
lived in the city since her marriage
with the thriving young lawyer, her
heart still longed for the scent OF
apple blossoms and new mown hay
with an indescribable yearning.
As she glided around the room,
intent on her various household
duties, a knock sounded at the door.
ITS that tedious, gossiping old
Mrs. Bonneau," said Mamie to her.
self. snow | am in for an hour OF
neighborhood news. Good morning
Mrs. Bonneau. Are you well today"
81 am tolerably WELL" she answered
gloomiy-"as well as one can be in
this vale of tears
"Why what's the matter nowP'
Mamie asked REFRESHING a smile.
"Do you mean, Mrs. Matchley, that
you have never suspected the presence
Of the canker worm that is gnawing
at the bud of your domestic happi'
ness?' asked the old dame.
"What in the name of common sense
do you mean?"
"Ah, these wives-these innocent,
deluded, unsuspecting wives!" she
groaned. "If you had disguised your
self this morning, Mamie, and follow
ed your wretched husband to what he
called business
"Well?" gasped Mamie.
"You would have seen sights that
would have curdled the very blood in
your veins
y "What sights?' gasped poor Mamie,
involuntarily remembering the mys-
terious letter and feeling herself grow
red and pale under the answering
goggles Of her torturer.
swell, IL you really insist" said
Mrs. Bonneau, evidently enjoying the
moment, 81 must tell you. was at
the Andes hotel not Is minutes since
dear! dear! to think that should
,vhave to tell the talc-and he came
there all smiles and sweet looks, to
see the bold faced widow not dressed
in decent mourning" with a down
ward glance at her own funeral habill-
ments, "but all streamers and jet
clasps and necklaces, sat in the cor
ner with my veil down, so that nc
could not recognize me.
"'The carriage is ready, Mrs
Arnott,' said he. Pray let us lose no
, time-my wife suspects nothing as
yet And II you'll believe me, away
they went in carriage
81 do not believe it," broke from
Mrs. Matchleys lips.
"But ] asked the waiter afterward
'Lor', ma'am,' says he, that's the
gent as has been coming to see Mrs
Arnott every day for week.
81 don't wish to alarm you, my
] dear, but If they have eloped you
won't have the least difficulty in OBJ
tanning a divorce. Goodby, my dear
I'd stay longer, only ! have an ap
|, pointment at H."
And away rustled Mrs. Bonneau
leaving musty smell of Grape and
: dye behind her, while Mamie stooc
looking blankly out of the window al
|, II the sunny sky of her young life
were turned to leaden darkness al
!, ready.
+, "He will come back to II he carei
for me-" she kept repeating to herself
"He said he would be here at 4, ant
/, II he comes not ! shall know that hi
. has ceased to love me-"
How the hours dragged along
!. How spiritless it all seemed to poo
!, Mamie. And when the hour OF
!, drew near an awful dread came upol
her lest she had looked her last upoi
Hugh's face.
But punctually as the clock strucl
, her husband appeared in carriage
:. "Oh, Hugh, Hugh, ] am so glad!
:. she cried incoherently as the opel
barouche drove up to the door AM
she saw Hugh's dark eyes shininl
cheerily from beneath the shad
ow Of his broad brmmed Panam
hat.
"Nannie, what ails you?" aske
Hugh as he aighted and handed hi
!. wife into the carriage and little Alic
" climbed up on the seat to look int
her mothers heavy eyes and cried:
:, mamma sick? Mamma feel bad
:, Allie so sorry"
/" AT that moment the carriage stoT
= ped in front of pretty little cottag
u literally yelled in crimson roses an
= spice scented boneysuckles.
J "Oh, what lovely place." erie
/, Mamie, reused for an instant froI
y y her melancholy torpor.
= "Would you like it for a hom'
y Nannie?' asked her husband.
;, "Would you like IL? Oh, Hugh
" D,,@ 49,, Iy,o,,, mo oon't nHnrl uuob