The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-07-24
THE WIDOW YONSON.

kissed her daughter, kindly addressed the
young men, and then told the SenorIta
that she would like TO see her, for a mo-
ment. before she went home. Then she
retired TO her own quarters again, leav-
ing behind her an assortment OF mixed
emotions.
There was TO be a grand masked ball
the next night at the Casino Espanol. and
the Bostonian was urging the Senorlta to
reveal to him the character OF her cos
tune or to wear some distinctive token
by which he might recognize her He
wanted to dance with Ter, he said as
many times as custom would allow; and
she had told him that he would then
dance with her not AZ all, for there was
an insuperable reason why he should not
"Insuperabie reasons as We all know,
are like fences: the bigger they are the
more mankind wants TO climb over them.
So the young man felt that indeed he was
now really and truly in love with her, and
must win and keep her, come what might,
would or should.
She fenced with him while. then coyly
told him that he could know her by
little knot of black ribbon which she
would wear on her left shoulder Shortly
after she FASTENED away to keep her ap-
pointment with the widow, leaving Mr..
Foster the prey TO a curious sensation.
which he fOndly imagined was love. At
all events the brother was at last alarmed
and so was his fancee, both for different
reasons and both resolved to checkmate
the game II IT were possible.
The ball was a brilliant affair, and n
great success. judging by the toilets Of
the women and the amount Of champagne
drunk by the men. There was one anx-
ious spectator, who danced little and
drank less. but who prowled about rest
!essly, seeking something or somebody
until well after midnight. Many a fair
domino halted and teased him, but after
carefully scrutinizing her costume he
would absently reply 10 their badinage.
then dart away in keen pursuit again.
II was near ! in the morning that hs
saw at last the knot of ribbon affixed to q
shoulder plump ard daZZlingiy white, ard
breathed a sigh, az he felt h.s quest was
ended. He knew Just what 70 do, for he
had been planning and scheming all the
night. Obtaining the incognita's assent.
he withdrew with her to a distant palm
screened corner OF the vast room, where
he opened upon her his full-charged bat
terles Of love.
He knew the senorlta could understand
buE HfLif EIlEN6fs 80 HdN 'VEDiHiANTi VI
memory some most impassioneG phrases.
such "a LUZ Dc mi ama'-lignt Of my
soul; Angelica &c mi corazon"-littlc
angel Of my hcart-&c. between which
and others Ike ne sandwiched his decIa-
ration o. undying love.
The full-thrOated beauty with the Ia
ven hair and shapeiy shoulders. t0yed
neryOusly with her fan. as this torrent ~
love poured forth. and at last whispered
hesitatingly: But you do not know, per
haps, 10 whom you are making these
pfotestations. 1 -"
"Oh, yes. I do. ] should know you
among a thousand. I knew you by intui-
ton. paiomita mia (rny little doVeJ But
still. unmask. and let me knOw--let me
see for myself that you -"
He could not walt, but imprinted a kiss
full upon the ripe red lips before the
domino was wholly removed. then. With a
gasp, fell back a pace. for there before
him stood-nCt the sEnorlta, out the
widow YonsOnl
He vas for moment stunned, but he
we'll knew what was incumbent upon =
man OF honor under the circumstances
Since the widow Johnson had accepted
him. he could do no less than accent the
situation. For, he was a man Of honor
CopyrigAt 1909 Daily story Psbl!sAlhs csnpsaTJ