Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-02
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The Morning Story
WIDOW DOW.
By Clnricc Gaines.


cottages had been an addition to his
sadly out of repair, and a great deal
of money had been spont upon 1t: stin
the agent had made many complaints
about dissatisfied tenants.
Jay reread the letter.
About this Widow Dow" said tho
agent, she lives In the last cottage
at the very edge OF the woods. and
she says that some Of the trees should
he cut down because the shade makes
her place damp. tell YOU. she ought
not to make complaints when she is
behind with her rent
'Pshaw! muttcred Jay, ;hrusting
tho letter into his pocket. I'll run
down there myself and have il ont
with Mrs. Dow. If the trees really
are nuisance, they shall be removed.
and I'll talk 10 her about the rent If
shan't nag her for it-not with yours
truly idiing his time around in steam
yachts and motor cars
The next day, quite unknown to
Agent Green. Jay Dickson alEhtcd
from the train a, the Doriltou Station
and took a short cat through tho woods
to reach his property.
He hung over the Widow Dow's
fence and shifted approximately at the
flowers which riotcd in the tiny front
yard. mignonctte. hcliotropc. roses.
sweet alyssum. oid-fashioncd pinks,
forget mc-nots. sweet williams, bal
sans. riCold-what bewildering
variety. with little pansy faces perking
up around the borders.
y glance At the windows of the
house showed him that the Widow Dow
might he poor and needy, but at least
she possessed the soul of an artist,
for she had made the last cottage a
litt1o ~ hen
There was no sign OF poverty in the
well-kept garden, in tho luxurious
furnishings of piazza and summer
house. Jay glanced up at the trees
and decided that an entire row must
come down to bring sunshine into this
little place. He pictured the Widow
Dow bent. middle-aEed woman fuss
ing In her loved garden
Are you Mrs. Dow" persisted Jay.
The woman looked at him shrewdly
"I am Armada Dow" she admitted
"Mr Green wrote to me about you.
Mrs Dow: he said YOU wanted some
trees cut down l VIII see him about
the matter"
Jay, puzzled At finding his agent
had rented one OF the cottages to
other than white people, pursued his
way through the street toward the
agents Office. Near his destination no
was just in time to snatch a young
al
acinG automobile.
AS 1t was. they were both flung
against the curbstone. and the young
woman lay pale and white against
Jays arm.
III show YOU" volunteered a woman.
and she led the way toward Jays row
If cottages
She passed them all until she came
to the last one. the abode OF the Widow
DOW
Il Will go inside with you. The
ioctor is on his way now" she said,
as she opened the gate.
He was not prepared for the huge
black woman who waddled across the
;arden with a heavy foot. Her woolly
nair was tied up in a snowy turbnn
and her white gown was immaculate.
clear outer here" she ordered.
waving mighty hand at the abashed
owner. They amt no loafers lowed
heah bouts
Il am MIR. Dickson said Jay quiet
"Lawsy me, | dunno's ever hcerd
OF YOU. MIR Dickson" she sneercd.
''Mebbe Eoull be the President next
time, huh"
and she took the slender. unconscious
form In her arms and bore her upstairs
where the village doctor arrived in a
few moments.
Jay Dickson. wandering rcstlcssly In
the little garden. could not rid his mind
agains, his should:S. II was IA pale.
spirituelle face. framed in rich. red
hair that grew low on her forehead.
The lashes that lay on her creamy check
were thick and dark and curling. What
color were her eycs?"
What allied him. anyway? he asked
himself fiercely. Never before had he
cared about the color of women's
eyes!
The doctor came down and spoke to
him.
Her arm is broken" he said. would
YOU mind helping me while l set il?
Her old servant is 100 hystcrical To he
Of any use"
Jay Dickson went up into 4 charm
ing rose pnpered room. where the love
~ woman lay irn~. upon n snowy bed
The black woman sobbcd In n corner.
Go down stairs. Armada: I'll call YOU
after It's over. Don't be foolish; there's
no danger" urged the doctor. good
naturedly
"I;s her working arm" shifted ANA
da. as she went out
Mrs. Dow is an artist" explained
the doctor in low tone. as he went
about his task with deft fingers. She's
heen having hard shedding. under
stand. and guess losing the use OF
- go 1890 ~ ''isillt Weeks won't
help any"
81 am Jay Dickson. the owner Of
these cottages. came down TO see Mrs
Dow" explained Jay. feeling unrenson-
ably elated because his divinity wa.
the Widow DoW-and free,
She can't talk business for awhile
vet" Erowlcd the physician Youth
have TO come down again"
oh, expect to remain in Dnrilton
for several weeks" said jay. chccrfullv.
and presently he went 10 the hotel ana
tclephoned FOR his motor car and some
clothing, End then went back 20 Inquire
after the health of the Widow Dow.
she am feeling quite sna't sir"
said poor Armada. who had learned
that il was jay Dickson who had saved
her mistress from death itself. Thon
she bent over and whispered guarded
" In his ear: Please. sir, hone
YOU wont be too hard about that rent.
POOR Miss Lucy IS most wore out trv
lng 70 collect money that's due her
nd now her working arms broke. I
cellar II shan't take In washing TO
'c!p out''
Dickson gladly gave promise. and
5tranGcly contcntcd at the outcome
If affairs, this most !,nurac,IcaI Of