The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-04-20
THE WIDOW KNEW

"Dick Hartley goes to see Mrs.
Robinson every day, they say"
Why, he's engaged to Helen Eas-
ton, you know"
Il know, my dear; but if l were
Helen Easton I'd break it off. was
at Mrs. Robinson's this very morning,
and she had just received a big box
of Merinets from him. Yes, she show
ed me the card. Innocent little widow
innocent little mink"
Thus started, the report of Dicks
attention to the Widow Robinson had
reached Helen's ears. and the poor
girl was thrown into a state of mind
that could be endured no longer.
OH" she sighed. as if protesting
to herself. "Dick-and that Mrs. 10
binson lit cannot be true. And
yet have felt that he was changing
toward me. He has not been here for
three days Oh, what shall | do?
will not believe it! | will not! | will
go and call on Mrs. Robinson this very
day so that-that people won't think
| am jealous. Dck-Dick, how could
you?"
Bitter tears filled her eyes, but she
wiped them away determinedly. Slow.
ly she rose and went to her room, and
there dressed herself with care, as
women always dress for the benefit of
their rivals. She was tall and stately,
with a cloud of rudy hair and brilliant
gray eyes, softened by long dark lash.
es. When she gazed at herself in the
mirror she was well satisfied that her
severe tailor gown showed her beauty
to good advantage.
In ten minutes she sat in Mrs Ro.
binsons little French drawing-room,
and in a few minutes the owner of it
was welcoming her vivaciously.
Mrs. Robinson was small, dark and
very chic Helen's heart sank as she
looked at her rival. The little widow,
taking no notice, apparently, of her
visitors rather stiff manner, was chat.
ting away making commonplace re,
marks requiring no answers,
81 am going to tell you what a love
ly gown you have on she said. you
know, when | was a girl at school, we
had a lady principal, a tall stately
creature who had evidently had little
social advantages. One day, as she
was giving a group of us some points
on etiquette as she called them.
said to us that there were three
DIS never mentioned in polite so.
ciety' We all waited, really expect.
ing her. l think, to begin with the
devil: but no, disease. dress and do,
mestics constituted her list. You know
how schoolgirls give nicknames we
christened her Polite Society then
and there. The memory of that alb
surd little incident clings to me yet
and whenever | am tempted to com
ment on some lovely gown | always
feel a sense of guilt.
She laughed, and went on: you are
so tall, Miss Easton you put me al
great disadvantage and | really think
that's the most cruel thing one woman
can do to another. Yes, it is positive
ly cruel"
Helen Easton leaned forward.
mo Mr.. Robinson" she said. her
voice vibrating with emotion and her
hands gripping the arms of her chair.
"That is not the most cruel thing one
woman can do to another. When a
woman, beautiful and young, knows
that another woman loves a man, and
that he is pledged to her and she still
tries to lead TINS man away from the
one who loves him-truly, that is the
most cruel thing" Her voice broke,
but she went on: "And-and-that
poor creature who sees her lover
taken from her-can you imagine her
misery, her powerless misery? That
broken heart will lie at the door of the
the other woman"
Her words were a mere whisper,
and her gray eyes were trimming
with tears. She rose unsteadily. The
little widows eyes were misty, too.
and her tone was also low.
But remember Miss Easton, infat.
uaton is not love"
For a moment they stood In silence.
Then Helen said:
81 must CO."
"Wait a moment" said Mrs. Robin.
son. She went over to the piano and
took from vase a great cluster Of
Merinet roses, saying with emotion:
"These should be yours. Let me give
them to you"
They fell into each others tender
embrace, and then parted, each too
much overcome to trust herself to
speak.
The little widow stood 1t the win
dow and watched Helen go down the
street.
81 told the TRUTH" she said to her
self. ut is only infatuation-with
him. But with me- Alas! l am
experienced and know what love is.
l am happy only in the thought that |
do not believe that he loves me-
Sophia Gates Kerr