Middletown transcript., 1901-05-25
Ten Days In Love

6ooooooooooooooooooooo0ooo
u1D I'D ever tell you of my
- love for the widow?'
NO." replied Williams,
TO "Let's have it"
E1 ''Well," said Hugh
Remington, leaning back in his great easy
chair. 'T met her in Paris"
''Met whom?'
"Oh, never mind who. Be content
that am telling you the story, and don't
ask for names. thought of her as the
widow 1t is sufficient title"
"Well, won't interrupt Go on"
So Hugh continued:
II was calling On my old friend, Mrs.
Lee, and while waiting for the servant to
tell her of my arrival, an odd piece of
bric-a-brac in the corner of the room
attracted my attention. I got up and
went over to examine it. While thus
engaged the door. opened. / turned,
thinking it was Mrs. Lee, when, oh!
what beauty met my sight!-so small
that she looked like a child, large deep
blue eyes that came out from under a
mass of light golden curls, a small nose
and a rosebud of a mouth. She was
dressed in deep mourning, and l thought,
as looked at her, that 1 had never seen
a more beautiful picture. She didn't see
me until made a slight movement
which startled her. Coming forward, I
said:
{" Il frightened you, did not%
Yes; I was not aware that there was
any one in the room. You are waiting
for Mrs. Lee?' and she gave me the
sweetest of smiles, showing most per-
feet row of teeth.
"Before I could answer, Mrs. Lee
appeared and introduced US. Mrs.
was on short visit to Mrs. Lee prior to
her departure for her home in America.
I was glad Of that, as l should then have
the pleasure of seeing her again.
"The evening passed only too quickly,
and 1 rose with an apology for staying
so late. Mrs. Lee invited me to dine
with them informally the next day. She
said her friend preferred being quiet, so
they should be quite alone. You may
be sure I accepted the invitation, and
was there promptly at the hour. The
widow was more charming than the
previous evening. longed to stop the
hours from rolling on. Having been in
the habit of dropping in at Mrs. Lees at
all hours, my frequent-almost daily
visits were not noticed as anything
strange or unusual.
''Mrs. Lee thanked me for coming to
them in their loneliness, and the widow
would give me one of her sweet smiles,
and I was thankful in my innermost
heart that it fell to my lot to cheer them.
So the weeks passed Until the time came
for the departure Of Mrs. Lees friend.
''Now, I had intended going over to
America in month or two on business,
but when found that the widow was
to sail in ten days 1 began to think that
the business was very imperative. The
more I thought of the matter, the more
important it seemed t. In, to GO.
DO you know any one going over
on the 15th?' the widow asked me in
her dove-like way.
No one but myself I answered.
Business has called me to America sooner
than expected
"'How delightful from the widow;
while Mrs. Lee exclaimed:
ooh, Mr.. Remington, am SO glad
Couldn't bear the idea of my friend
going entirely alone; and you, of all
others, will know best how to take care
Of her.
awe then began to make our plans
making visit of few
days to some friends in London, I was
going direct to Liverpool. Mrs. Lee and
drove down to see our friend of, and I
looked forward to meeting her on board
the steamer. Ny last days in Paris were
spent in saying goodbye to old friends
and buying presents for sister Nell, who
had married an American, and the chill |
dren. I got every novelty that I could |
find, and felt well pleased with my selec-
tion. At last I was on the steamer, and |
stood looking at the ship moving away. |
By my side was the widow and thought |
that had never seen her look SO lovely. |
exulted in the acknowledgement that |
she knew no one On board. was her only |
friend, consequently l should have her
III to myself; this was $50 I said to my
elf what had been longing for. Was
in love? That question had not oc-
,urred to me. felt supremely happy,
md thought the situation delightful. l
vas ready to do anything for this fair
:reature. She had only to command; 1
vas all eagerness to obey. I soon had
N opportunity of showing my devotion.
''The following morning I came out
IN deck very early, and was surprised
o find my little lady already there. She
ooked very miserable and very pretty
The morning salutation over, asked her
low she had slept.
6" 4 haven't slept at ALL she said, in
fretful, childish way, which 1 thought
harming. Such noise all night she
ontinued, 4 could not get to sleep; and
he smells are simply dreadful. | must
AVE another room. I'd sit up here all
light rather than sleep in that horrible
,lace again. Don't you think, Mr.. Rem
ngton, if you ask the captain or some
,ody, he would give me another state
oom?' and her big eyes looked inquir-
ngly into mine.
" Certainly said. 4 will go at
nee to see about it, and if there is no
,ther, you shall change with me. Take
ny room which is a good one, and as
Ion't mind either noise or smells, your
4