The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-08-13
THE NEW TENANT.
BY COUSIN UNE,

when 1t became known that the house s'oyer
the way" had been rented. We pr1deJ our.
selves on having quite an arIstocIatlc little
or two rented houses, We always teit anxious
about new arrival.
Inc new tenants were to arrive on Mon
day, and When We young folks gathered at
our Usual cIoIr pi.>c.lce, the matter was
fuliy discussed. Pnlllp ling, the rising NJ.
D., gave DIS nIs opAion tnat Jney Wound
De Two OLD maids, VITA a number OF birds
and cats. Gertle Black, with merry twin
HE III Aer roguIsn eyes, SAID:
Don't you ~lsn, Neii, 1t may be a rich
WIDOW, win two or taree nauusome sons
WHAT an addition they would be to our
clrcIe."
|! What need | care if it were so-hadn't
PnLlp. Perhaps | looked TINS, tor they all
laughed, although l had not spoken a word
II reply.
On Monday the furniture arrived, and
toward evening carriage containing two
iaaies. 1he mouse Was speedily put III order,
and in weeks time tne excitement had
somewhat subsidized, although no one had
as yet seen the new tenant. On SATURDAY
our munster called at the cottage, and on
NNhs-oy q SSAo1iSC ldOg III i.4c
ter pew-a lacy IRON the crown OF her
head TO the tips vi her Oalnty boots. You
needed oniy 20 eiance at ner to see tins.
How beautiful she was. l, a woman, was
ready TO acknowledge 1t at rirst signt. Her
naAe Was Mrs. Lee, the minister 0auga-
ter Informeu us just the name wnlcn suited
tnis lovely widow. About Az, should judge,
as l stuoled ner sitting IN church TINS oaD-
batn morning. Sucn giorlous dark blue
eyes, oencale white skin, with just the
talntest pink on either cneek, reminding one
OF the heart OF shell; mouth and chin
taultiess; rather smaA ana slender; the
turn OF ner head was perfection itself.
l had just arrived at this conclusion as the
benedlctIon was pronounced, and awoke as
from delicious dream. " nat was this love
ly young widow to me, that l should make
a STUDY OF her!
Mamma and / called, and learned during
our visit That Mrs. Lee had sought our
quiet village Tor change OF air. We were
introduced to her aunt, an elderly lady,
VINO took charge of the little household,
leaving uer niece to perfect quiet and rest,
as prescribed.
Mrs. Lee inquired the name of our ply
siclan, and was told DR.. Philip Ring (my
Pnllip, as they all called him). Why did
l WISH ne mad not been named, ana That
mamma had recommended old DIR. Foster!
and, above all, why was so strangely drawn
toward MIS-. Lee!
At par ling she pressed me to call fire.
quenty. SAe loved young folks, she said;
and how often did | find myself running
over during the summer that followed.
A few says after my first call, was sur
prised to see Philip open the little gate
that led to the cottage, and, after ringing
the door bell, be instantly admitted Later
in the day ne tod me Mrs. Lee was very Ill,
not dangerously 50, but with one OF her
old attacks.
rs sac not lovely" asked.
More than lovely" he answered. "She
has engaged me professionally during her
stay III tie village.
Need l tell you what followed-of Philips
love for this beautiful woman-yes, a wom-
ten years older than himself; OF his
mad worship, MS utter neglect OF old friends.
From this time he was her constant compan-
ion in drives and walks, winch were fire.
quent. All his hopes in life seemed CEN
tered In the new tenant; and yet l could
not blame him, for l soon learned to love
her, too. l saw that people watched, and
saw they pitied me; yet l was strangely
lHOlueTtut. w nat i lcft NJ SSCIc6 uOnc
should ever know.
And SO the summer passed, and Septem-
Der approached. She would leave US in
November What had the summer brought
to me! A nemeless pain-a JOY and sorrow
blended
Tonight, however, had promised to take
tea at the cottage. During the evening she
played, and we sang few duets. What
ricn, clear voice she had; how well our
voices Blended (my own being fine con-
traito) as We sang
Gently, gently signs the breeze,
Like a whisper through the trees.
Like the song of seraphs bright,
Breathing to the world goodnight. good
night!'
'.Now, for coy chat she said, rising
from the piano. She told me of the two
lovely boys laid away in the churchyard,
of her beloved husband, loved so dearly,
mourned so deeply, laid to rest by their
side five years ago, of the disease which
might at any moment call her to join them
in the spirit land, of the happy summer
just passed, winch my friendship had glad
dened. l felt at this moment would have
been willing to make any sacrifice to have
kept her with Us. Philip came in during
the evening At half-past ten arose to say
goodnight.
She followed us to the door. Turning i'm
pulsively | threw my arms around her, and
kissed her. | had never done before.
What prompted me to do so now: She re-
turned my embrace, exclaiming warmly:
God bless you, darling!"
Turning abruptly to Philip, she said:
"Take good care of Nellie; she is treas
ure. Goodnight"
was surprised next morning by an early
visit from Philip. He told me that Mrs. Lee
was dead; he had been sent for toward
morning, to find her dying.
We stood together, and gazed on the be-
loved dead-lovelier even in death than in
life. A perfect white full-blown rose mes
tied in her bosom. | had no need to ask
whose hand had placed it there. My own
floral gift l placed within her perfect hand
On her dressing table lay note directed
to me; when opened it contained draft
for SS 0nn bar hast loya Thew 1ai1