The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-04


regiment. Although he had
little opportunity to display his
on the field of battle, he was
always a ''hail fellow well met with
his associates lie was quite suscep-
tible to female charms, often told
stories Of his conquests in that line,
and was recognized as a lady's man.
On returning from the field of glory,
in 1898, he had influence enough to
secure a position in the New York
Custom House as an inspector. 1t was
while thus employed that he met the
charming young widow who proved
his undoing.
His military title chung to him in the
Custom House service, and every one
who knew him addressed him as cap
tain
One day, while on duty on steam
ship wharf in Jersey City, watching
the passengers as they came ashore
from Southampton steamer, he espied
a lady who walked with the gentle,
modest step of young widow.
She was followed by a nurse wear-
ing the cap and apron of a French
bonne; and in the arms of the nurse
was baby in long and flowing white
robes.
The captain was on the alert.
The lady came up to him. and, throw
ing back her long crepe veil, addressed
him in deep, musical accents:
"You are a custom officer sir?"
81 am,' responded the captain rather
gruffiy.
Now, the widow was sufficiently
beautiful to dispel the suspicious of
even Captain Gideon Muggins. and
just the style of beauty he would be
sure to admire.
The widow was beautiful, with
clear, brown eye-or, rather, two of
them-velyet lidded, heavy frnged, full
and languid, prone to be cast down
modestly and upraised suddenly, to the
no small confusion of the luckless male
bystander
She wore the full attire of woe. A
small crepe bonnet. with slight frost
work of white under brim, rested on
her glossy black hair. Such hairl way
ing and shining. and blue-black.
Her brow, so smooth and broad. was
undisigured by lunatic fringe or bang.
Her eyebrows were black and delicate,
but straight, not arched Her nose
might be trifie large, but it was beau
tifully formed; and her mouth was
charming, the lips so full, so tempting
in their proud arch, the coloring so
fresh and rich.
Then her complexion was of a soft,
Tuddy. indescribable brunette tint. i'm
possible to picture in words, but
wholly attractive; her chin was so
finely nodded and her throat full and
round.
Altogether, the gay captain thought
"the finest woman Two soon for yearsrn
For the widows form fully equaled
her face, and she was handsomely
dressed.
Il am, madam, he repeated "Where
is your baggage?9
"Oyer yonder. / am alone-that is
with the exception of my nurse and
baby. ! have to travel so much now,
and always alone"
Tears seemed very close to the
widows lovely eyes. and a mournfully
appealing tone touched the heart of
Captain Muggns.
"All right, ma'am. Have you much
Baggage?"
Not much. Please examine my
trunks, for long to rest, and my baby
has been quite seasick, poor darling"
The trunks were examined carefully:
for, however fine woman the widow
might be. DUTY before sentiment"
was the captains motto.
Nothing dutiable was found, and the
trunks were passed.
The widow took her baby from the
nurses arms and hushed it to sleep.
as it had evinced signs of disquietude
by beginning to whimper.
- fine child, maam." said the cap-
tain. who hated babies like poison.
SIS he not beautiful, my Henry? The
Image of his dear-ohl' a sob com
pIeted the sentence.
He was beautiful. at least as much
as could be seen of him. for he was
one mass of lace and embroidery. his
rosy face half concealed by a filmy
veil
HE is a fine fellow; how old might
he be?' The captains eyes shone
with interest; he admired the widow
more and more every moment.
"Seyen months to-morrow-poor little
darlingl To think how much he has
travelled
''He has, ma'amY -