A DISCONSOLATE WIDOW.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2502, 6 September 1890, Page 6

A DISCONSOLATE WIDOW.

Th« interior of an elegant flat in the most fashionable p.»rt of New York. A handsome young ladv, not-more thin twenty-five years of -age, sits on a sofa and fondles a little longhaired skye-terrier. which she has given the not -inap^iupdate name of “ Dudy.”

When a New York laxly, and more particularly a young lady, amuso3 herself with a pet dog. it is s ifo t > infer that she has nobody else with whom siie be fanulhr—no child, no lover ■end no husband. From tbe fact that the lady is dressed in black and seems to be in line spirits, it is also safe, comparatively speaking, to infer that she is a widow.

And why should Mrs. Jackson not be happy ? ssho. had never loved her late husband. She was forced to marry him by her parents, and •«he suffered martyrdom, as much from liis •sporadic affection? as from his insane j xilousy. Now that his life of dissipation anu cruelty sraa over, wh* should she not indulge in the innocent pleasures of fife from which she has been shat out by her exacting husband ? Hexperiod of * 4 mitigated affliction”—for it could not well be called “ a heavy bereavement*’— would soon be over, aud theu she could go to balls and theatres, and into society. Mrs. Jackson had a maid, Fanny, who was thoroughly devoted to her mistress, anti who also had what might be called a very level head. Fanny vras ia the habit of imparting advice to her mistress, and generally speaking, it was very good advice. **lf I were you,” said Fanny. “ I would not think of going iutoseciety for the present.” 44 And why not f asked the widow.

44 You knov," replied Fanny, “ that you are only to receive the interest on your late husband's fortune. Ttmprincrpalgoesib his wealthy uncle. Now, this uncle doted oh his worthless nephew, your late husband. This wealthy uncle is going to call on you to-day. If he finds that vou have already forgotten your late husband he will probably retain the money, but if he finds that you are a disconsolate widow, and are still bewailing your loss, ho may refuse to ■accept the money, and you will be very wealthy. At arty rate the experiment is worth trying. You must bury your face in your handkerchief and sob like ‘ a good fellow.’ ” 44 You are quite right-, Fanny, but the trouble is that I can’t look sorry to save my life.” “ If you could only make your eyes look red as if you had been weeping it might have a good effect.” 44 It is impossible far me to affect emotions that I do not feel. Besides, I despise money.” 4 * You may despise money, bat you cannot he indifferent to the things that can be purchased for money. With money you can go to Europe, or you can have your own carriage and horses: you might even marry a second-hand English Duke; and remember that your own fortune ia limited.” 44 I’ll do the best I can, but I am afraid that my grief will be so plainly artificial that nobody will be deceived,” replied Mrs. Jackson. Just theu the bell rang and the rich uncle of the late Mr. Jackson was announced. Fanny showed him into the parlour and said that Mrs. Jackson would appear in a few minutes. 44 Now,” said Fanny to herself, 44 what shall Ido ? If she does net look like a weeping Niobe she will lose 20Q,000d01. and slie no more looks like an inconsolable widow than I do. Ha ? I have an idea-.”

Mrs. Jack-oiPs weakness was dogs. When 6he appeared on the streets she was accompanied by half a dozen canine pets of as many different breeds, but her chief pet was the little skyeterrier, Dudy, already mentioned. Dudy happened to he in the hall. Fannie seized him aud gave his stumpy tail a cruel twist, Then 6he bit the howling dog’s ear, and shut him up in the almost air-tight x-efrigerator, whefe his howls could not be heard ou the outside.

On hearing the piteous howls of the dog Mrs. Jackson rushed out of her room in mortal terror.

44 What’s happened to Dudy?” 44 He is dead,” replied Fanny, hysterically. * 4 He was frisking about, aud he slipped through the banisters and fell all the way down to the first floor. But your uncle is waiting. Go right into the parlour.” With eyes filled with real tears the wretch e>? woman staggered into the parlour, and, throwing herself on the sofa, sobbed us if her heart would break.

44 Merciful heaven •!’’ said the old geutlcmau to himself, ‘‘such grief as this I have never witnessed before, and he has been dead over a month. How 6he must have loved him !” The old gentleman endeavoured to console the heart-broken woman. He spoke to her of the wisdom of Providence, and urged her to voly on the consoluttoa of religiou, but all in vain. Yon can’t feel his loss I Lx,” she sobbed. 44 1 feel his loss deeply, for I loved him dearly.'* 44 Then you knew him,” said the widow. *' Of course, I could net know him as well as his wife, but I appreciate his excellent traits g, character.** “Did—diil you ever see—see him dance?” asked the widow. “Dance? Yes, I saw him dance several times at the house of a friend, who had a little social gathering.” “ Aud such tricks as he could do.” “ Tricks ? I remember now of his entertaining the company at a dinner.” 44 And he was so faithful. No other woman could persuade hint to follow her. He never rtn away from me in his life. “ I sunpose not, I suppose not,” replied the old gentleman, somewhat mystified. “When anybody tried to take any liberties with me he would show them his* teeth at once.” 44 1 am glad to hear that he protected bis wife like a gentleman should ; but. my dear madam, console yourself. We uil must die atone time or another.” With quivering chin and a lump in his throat the old gentleman took his leave. Next day Mrs. Jackson received a letter from her visitor, inclosing aU»o a legal document. In this letter he sa:d that after witnessing her grief over the death of his nephew he would not accept a penny of the fortune, to which lie would not have been entitled, anyhow, if the marriage had not been without risue. It ie hardly necessary to state that the widow recoycred Lgr good spirits, particularly when she found that ** Dudy” wasstil! alive, although bis stay m tke refrigerator gave him rheumatism in hfe hind legs.— S<*r York VTorkf.