The Washington herald., 1906-12-17
A WIDOW WORDALOGUE


By HELEN ROWLAND.
Just beyond that hilI,' said the bach
e.or. refining his horse and pointing with
his crop and an impersonal air, ARE a
church and a minister, who for a small
consideration would put an end 90 all our
doubts concerning matrlmony.
The widow turned in her saddle and
considered with her head on one side.
That" she said wistfully. would be
nice and romantic. but wouldn't it be
bit dangerous-rushing into marriage
ITS dangerous" sighed the bachelor.
whichever way you 90 into It. But most
people would never Marry at all If they
didn't grit their teeth and shut their
eyes and rush
we ought TO think twice protested
the widow, Ticking the hem Of her habit
peuslvely with her little silver-handled
crop.
Everybody ought to, agreed the bach
elor. but nobody does. II they did, there
wouldn't be any marriages
But we must tax II over declared
the widow decisiyely. preparing 10 dis
mount,
The bachelor Ieaped from his saddle and
held out his hand.
We've talked it over he grumbled.
ION both sides and around the edges, and
crosswise. and upside down
Now" began the widow, seating her
self on the topmOst rail Of fence, when
the bachelor had finished lettering the
horses. IF we should marry
If" The bachelor raised his eyebrows
in establishment I thought it was all
settled Didn't I propose 10 your
Many proposals. said the widow, gaz-
ing dreamily out over the hills, but Few
are accepted. Everybody would call 1t
marriage Of convenience she added ir-
relevanuy.
convenience The bachelor leaned
hack against the fence and regarded the
widow with mild amazement. Where,
he continued, will the convenience come
in7 OF course. If dividing my income in
half and giving up half my clubs
"AU your clubs Mr.. Travers, inter
rupted the widow decisively.
And my latch key"
And my independence" sighed the
And my poker games and stag par
ties and
Cocktails" interpolated the widow.
And your-er-amusemen I'm
ished the bachelor, dehantly.
'.Why-what amusements2' asked the
widow. CHANGING Up with surprise
well. Bobby Tailor. for instance
replied the bachelor, with his eyes on
the distance hills.
Robbie isn't an amusement" pro-
tested the widow He's a-er-friend."
And that longhaired poet" con-
tirued the bachelor. counting of on
the fingers Of his gauntlets with the
handle Of his crop.
He's so perfectly harmless, Mr..
Travers. pleaded the widow.
And the boy who lives around the
corner"
when I had just gotten him well
trained. sighed the widow, sadly.
Never mind" said the bachelor,
soothingly. There viii be gains as
well as Iosses-of-Of course"
'I-suppose so" agreed the widow,
doubtfullv. You'll gain the right 10
pay my miIliner's bills" she added more
cheerfully.
eyes" said the bachelor. ruefully.
and you'll gain the right TO four out
OF five of my chiffonier drawers and to
three-duarters Of the best trunk, and
two-thirds OF the wardrobe, and"
THE privilege Of arguing with
your cook" interrupted the widow
iaconicaIly, "and Of doing your mend
ing and waiting up for you at nights,
and Of keeping your dinner hot"
After all" unused the bachelor,
STUDYING the end of his crop with a
serious face. perhaps marriages Of
convenience aren't so bad"
WHAT" The widow nearly lost her
balance on the topmOst rail of the fence,
she turned so suddenly
Il mean" explained the bachelor
when YOU compare them to the ordinary
marriage of Inconvenience, like-like most
Of them OF course, marrying for title
or money. or a home. or an income is like
buying a gold brick
What is a gold brick?" interrupted the
widow impetuOusly.
TITS something you pay for and don't
get" explained the bachelor patiently
Like a cream pun with no cream IN
slider" asked the widow interestedly.
Yes" agreed the bachelor, "or a watch
that won't go, or a honeymoon without
love, or cake without sugar In II, or an
empty champagne bottle. Or-COunt BOni
/ de Castellane," he finished triumphantly.
But the Countess of Castellane didn't
pay for anything she didn't get?" object
ed the widow.
mo but she got a lot she didn't pay
for" remarked the bachelor cynically.
Nevertheless, persisted the widow, cit
isn't the girl who marries for a title who
gets-er-'gold-h ricked' not when she gets
the title, any way. And she ought not to
be disappointed nor to regret her bargain
| just because she has to take lot of
other things along with it, like unhappi-
ness and neglect and establishment.
You've got TO accept the taxes and the
J responsibilities and the bills and the