Connecticut western news., 1906-08-16
HnHn1erlcan
 WldoW
Copyright, 1906, by P. c. Eastment
By LOURENE RICHARDS

told by the landlord:
 You will be glad to learn that have a compatriot of yours here. She has been here a week. She is widow. believe she comes from Chicago, Can ada"
 Sure it isn't Philadelphia, Mon tanaP asked the judge.
 T will at once find out all particu- lars, your excellency."
 "Never mind just now. I'd like a few hours rest before meeting the widow, American or otherwise. If you will be so kind, you needn't mention to her that 1 am here I came away from my home i'll Boston, California, to escape a widow, and, you see, don't want to bump up against another too soon. We Americans always want to walk around awhile before getting acquainted"
 Tt is so, your eXcellency, and your wishes shall be respected" said the ob- sequious host.
 ''How does tie widow happen to be here alone?" inquired the judge with out much show of interest.
 ''Her brother is at Lyons, France. He is a buyer of silks for Americans. He will soon be here.'
 ''Is she good looking and rich?' ask ed the judge.
 Had I known, your excellency, that Chicago, Canada, had such handsome women I should have gone there for my second wife. As for riches, she has my best rooms and orders what she wants. My bill against her will be very much.'
 ''Think she's on the marry?"
 'When I saw you, sir, and knew that you were an American I said to myself:
 "'He comes from the same country. He looks like widower. He appears to be rich. Why should not the wid- over marry tine widow and thus make each other happy?"
 Thanks for your interest in the case, old man, but go slow. An Amer ican widower and an American widow will always find each other in good time if you leave them alone. Just leave it to us."
 They met at the table, but were not introduced. A sharp eyed person would have noticed that they were sizing each other up. Two days later, as the widow sat on the veranda with a book in her hand, the landlord and the judge approached, and the former indulged in a dozen bows and scrapes as he said:
 "I have the utmost felicitation in presenting Judge Fordham to Mrs. Chatham"
 The judge found the widow to be woman not much over thirty. She was bright and Keen and self possessed. She found the judge to be man of about forty-eight, hale and hearty and inclined to be frank spoken. Of course they became interested at once, and after a few minutes the landlord re- entered the office to say to his wife:
 To-day, Marie, have done a noble thing. The widower will marry the widow, and when they return to Amer fca they will probably live in New York, Arizona, and be happy all their days Did I not tell you when we were married that as landlord 1 should be a magnificent success ?'
 Neitber the Widow Chatham nor Judge Fordham had a story to tell. It came out casually in conversation that she was the widow of Chicago whole sale grocer and had taken the trip abroad at the instance of her brother Tom, who was a silk buyer for New York house and who would soon be with them. It came out the same way hoI tlNn bench in New York and was now talk ing it easy abroad while his bonds went right on piling up interest. They found themselves agreeing on almost all subjects, especially on the greatness of Chicago and the purity of American politics, and now and then the landlord looked out to smile and turn to his wife with:
 Marie, compliment me on my mag nificence The widower and the widow are becoming more and more interested in each other"
 The judge rather took charge of Mrs. Chatham after the first day. They rode out together, they boated together, they climbed the hills together. The subject of love wasn't even hinted at, but there were other persons than the landlord who smiled in a knowing way.
 There was just bit of mystery about the brother. He was to arrive at such a time and such a time, but he didn't arrive. It was all the fault of the silk men, he wrote. They were taking things easy and refused to be hustled He would be along in good time how ever. and in one of his letters he wrote that 1t would be pleasure for him to meet the judge. The judge smiled grimly when this extract was read to him. He seemed to doubt it.
 After their acquaintance had lasted two weeks and one day just after telegram had been received by ttss widow the judge strolled into the rail road depot and found her about fc take a train-that is, he thought sEt was. She had no baggage and appear ed to avoid observation.
 When she saw that she was discov cred she made some excuse and left the depot in his company. She was a bi glum for awhile, but soon rallied anG was very gay that evening. Two day: