Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1879 — TEN DAYS IN LOVE. [ARTICLE]

TEN DAYS IN LOVE.

It was a cold night in January. People were hurrying along through the blinding snow-storm, battling with the wind that howled and moaned out by turns its story of woe. Hugh Remington and his friend Williams, glad to be out of the storm, had settled themselves in gown and slippers for a quiet evening at home. The shutters were closed and the curtains drawn, and on either side of the hearth was placed the favorite chair of each. These friends had lived together in their bachelor quarters for more than two years. Everything in the Apartment showed refined taste and wealth. Some said that it all belonged to Hugh, and that he made it a home for his friend. No one, however, knew this to be true. Hugh was quiet and reserved, seldom spoke of his affairs to anyone, never laid any special claim to anything, but allowed it to appear that all things were equally shared. After the evening papers had been read aud discussed, the two sat talking of days gone by, of little episodes in their lives. Hugh was in a talking mood, and had told several good stories of his past life; stopping suddenly, he exclaimed: “ Did I ever tell you of my love for the widow?” “No,” replied Williams. “Let’s have it.” “Well,” said Hugh, taking another cigar, and looking very serious as he leaned back in his great easy-chair, “ I met her in Paris.” “Met who?” “Oh, never mind who. Be content that ! am telling you the story, and don’t ask for names. I thought of her as ‘ the widow.’ It is a sufficient title.” “Well, I won’t interrupt. Goon.” So Hugh continued: **l was calling upon my old friend, Mrs. Lee, and while waiting for the servant to take her my card, an odd piece of bric-a-brac standing in the corner of the room attracted my attention. I got up and Went over to examine it. While thus engaged, the door opened. I turned, thinking that it was Airs. Lee, when, oh! what a beauty met my sight!—so small that she looked like a child, large, deep blue eyes that came out from under a mass of light, golden curls, a small nose, aud a rose-bud of a mouth. She was dressed in deep iuouming> and I thought, as I looked at her, that I had never seen a more beautiful picture. She didn’t see me until I made a slight movement, which startled her. Coming forward, I said: “ ‘I frightened you, did I not?’ “* Yes; I was not aware that there was anyone in the room. You are waiting for Mrs. Lee?’ And she gave me the sweetest of smiles, showing a most perfect row of teeth. “Before I could answer, Mrs. Lee appeared, and introduced us. Mrs. was making Mrs. Lee a short visit prior to her departure for America. I. was glad of that* as I shouldthen_have the pleasure of seeing her again. “The evening passed only too quickly, and I arose with an apology for staying so late. Mrs. Lee invited me to dine with them, informally, the next day. She said her friend preferred being quiet, so they should be quite alone. You may be sure that I accepted the invitation, and was there promptly at the hour. The widow was more charming than, on the previous evening. I longed to stop the hours from rolling on. Having been in the habit of dropping in at Mrs. Lee’s at all hours; my frequent, almost daily, visits were not noticed as anj thing strange or unusual. Mrs. Lee thanked me far.

coming to them in their loneliness, and the widow would give me one of her sweet smiles, and Iwas thankful in my inmost heart that they were lonely, and that it fell to my Iqt to cheer them. So the weeks passed, until the time came for the departure of Mrs. Lee’s friend. “ Now, .1 had intended passing a month or two in England before coming home, but when 1 found that the widow w.as to return in ten days, I began to think that my duty called me back to my business. The more I thought of it,’the more important it seemed to me to go. •• Do you know of anyone going on the fifteenth?” the widow asked me, one evening, in her dove-like way. “•No one but myself,’ I answered. * Business has called me sooner than I expected.’ •• ‘How delightful!’ from the widow; while Mrs. Lee exclaimed, ‘Oh, Mr. Remington, 1 am so glad! 1 couldn’t bear the idea of my friend going entirely alone, and you of all Others will know/ best how to take care of her? “We tyien began to make our plans. Mrs. —— intended making a visit of a few days to some friends in London. L -•fit going direct’ to Liverpool: "firs. Lee and I drove down to see our friend off, and I looked forward to the pleas—uro of meeting her on board the steam-

er. My last days in Paris were spent in saying * good-by’ to old friends, and buying presents for Sister Nell and the children. I got every nouveaute that 1 oould find, and felt well pleased with my selection. At last I was on the steamer, and stood looking at the ship move away. By my side was the widow, and I thought that 1 had never seen her look, ao lovely. I exulted in the knowledge that she knew no one on board, zwas her only friend, consequently/should have her all to myself; this was (so I said to myself) what I had for weeks been longing for; Was lin love? That question had not occurred to me. 1 felt supremely happy, and thought the situation delightful. I was ready to do anything for this fair creature. She had only to command; 1 was all eagerness to obey. I soon had opportunities of showing my devotion. “ The following morning I came out on deck very early, and was surprised to find my little lady already there. She looked very miserable and very pretty. The morning salutations over, I asked her how she had slept. “ * I haven’t slept at all,’ she said, in a fretful, childish way, which I thought charming. * Such a noise all night,’ she continued, * I could notget to sleep; and the smells are simply dreadful. I must have another room. I’d rather sit up here all night than sleep in that horrid place again. Don’t you think, Mr. Remington, if you asked the Captain or somebody, he would give me another state-room?’ and her big eyes looked inquiringly into mine. “‘Certainly, 1 said. *1 will go at once and see about it, and if there is no other, you shall change with me. Take my room, which is a good one, and as I don’t mind either noise or smells, your room will suit me well enough.’ ” Here Hugh leaned over his chair to knock the ashes off his cigar, and said to his friend: “I must have had it pretty bad—eh, Williams? —to have said that, for you know that I can’t endure either a bad odor or a loud noise. But I forgot everything when under the influence of those eyes, and when she exclaimed, *Oh no; I couldn’t let you do that,’ I felt that my fate was sealed, and that I should take the noise and the smells.

“The next thing I discovered was that my lady had no sea chair. There was only one left, and that had been spoken for; but I paid double the amount, and the chair was mine. “ ‘ You are so kind, Mr. Remington,’ she said. ‘ I don’t know what I should have done without you. I am not fit to travel alone,’ she added, in childish tones. _ “ I longed to press her to my heart and tell of my love; and if she would but let me, it would be the joy of my life to care for her. I looked aM this; I am sure I 4i<L—ButTthere were too many people around for me to speak. She sat with her hands folded in her lap, and looked divinely unconscious. “The third day out the weather became bitterly cold. •“I am almost frozen,’ said Mrs. ing to wrap around me, and shall have to stay below, and, oh dear! it is so uncomfortable there!’ The face turned up to mine was that of a spoiled child. “Now I had a fine English rug, which I had used at night, for you know everything at sea is so horribly damp. It had been a great comfort to me, and I knew that I should miss it. But what of that? I couldn’t see the woman I loved suffer. So I got it, and tucked her all up in it. Her delicious smile repaid me for the sacrifice. “ * Oh, how nice!’ she said, as she put her hands under the warm rug. ‘lt seems to me, Mr. Remington, that you have everything to make one comfortable. I never heard of such a man. I am so glad that 1 came under your care!’

“Iwas so love-stricken that I did not reflect upon her apparent unconsciousness of the fact that I had deprived myself of these comforts in order that she should be made comfortable. She l seemed to take it for granted that I was a sort of traveling missionary, with extra wraps, state-rooms, chairs and anything else that one might need; and I was such a slave to her fascinations, that, had she asked me to do the impossible, I should have attempted it. “ Every day I had it upon my lips to tell her of my love. Each day courage forsook me. We walked the deck day after day. She would put her little soft hand on my arm in the most confiding way, look up from under her curls, laugh her low, sweet laugh, and ask the most childish, innocent questions.

“We were walking this way on the sixth day out. I had carefully rehearsed my part, and was about to tell my story. Her conversation seemed to lead to it, for she said: “‘You will come to see mewhen you are in New York, won’t you, Mr. Remington?’ “ ‘ Nothing,’ I said, ‘ would giye, me greater pleasure.. L - . “-• You will come often? Promise to dine at our house once a week. You won’t forget me?’ and the blue eyes sought mine. “I looked into them, and my look told what my tongue had refused to say. I pressed the little hand close to my heart, and after a pause said, below my breath, ‘Forget you!’ and I was about to pour forth my love when she gave a little scream, and cried, ‘‘Oh, my veil!’, There, sure enough, was the confounded blue thing sailing before the wind, and all the passengers, it seemed to me, after it. Of course 1 had to go too, and make believe try to capture it. I never hated anything spjmuchas 4 did that yard of ..blue gaffze. I couldn’t go back and continue my story from where it was so suddenly broken off, and indeed the widow seemed quite shy of me. “The incident had given the passengers an opportunity to speak to her, and when 1 joined her (without the veil, for it had, I hope, struck bottom) she was surrounded by a grottp of people. I had no chance that day, per the next, to get her to myself. I tried to think of something that I could do or show her that would amuse and detain her. It seemed as though I had exhausted all my resources, when at last a brilliant idea occurred to me; I would show her the presents I had brought for Sister Nell. They were all in my little sea trunk, and I knew that she couldn’t resist their attractions. She came up on deck bright and beautiful as ever. •

‘“lsn’t it delightful,’ she said, ‘to think that to-morrow .we shall be at home? I can hardly wait for the time to come; and yet’—and het voice dropped into the dearly-loved soft tone —‘the voyage has been a most charming one, owing to your kindness,’ she added, brightly; -"llonged to launch forth my tale of love, but thinking it more prudent to wait until 1 had secured her wholly to myself, I asked her, in the most ordinary manner, if she wouldn’t enjoy

looking at some little- trinkets that I had picked up in Paris. Her eyea sparkled. “‘Yen, indeed,’ she said. ‘Nothing oould be more delightful than to get a glimpse of Paris while at sea.’ “T went below and got all my pretty nouveaules, and brought them up to her. Placing a chair in a quiet corner, and well hid from the other people, then drawing mine up beside.her, I began showing one by one my collection of odd things. “ ‘Where did you get them, Mr. Remingtonß I I hunted all over Paris, and found nothinghalf so pretty. What exquisite ports bonheurs!' and she slipped one after another of my carefully chosen bracelets onto her little plump wrists, and turned them first on one side and then on the other.

“I knew Nell’s taste, and had searched for something uncommon, and was well pleased with what I had bought. But Nell and everything were forgotten with this bewitching creature oy my side, and when she made a move to take them off, I’said, laughingly, of course, *Oh, don’t disturb them; they look sowell where they are, and it is so pleasant, you know, to get a glimpse of Paris while at sea.' “She kept them on, and lopened the other boxes. There were rings, crosses. medallions, chatelaines, and many other ornaments of curious design. The widow decked herself, and was in high glee. A child oould not have enjoyed it more. I watched her with loving eyes, told her where each one came from, and helped fasten them on. “ * I feel like an Indian Princess,’ she said, ‘ and ought to have a throne and a crowd of kneeling courtiers, and the picture would be complete.’ “ ‘ Can’t you imagine a throne?’ I said, ‘ and take me for kneeling courtiers. Wouldn’t my love compensate for the admiring crowd?’ “ She lookea up quickly, and was about to answer, when one of those eternal old bores that, no matter when you cross, are always to be found on shipboard, came up, and began telling of his early reminiscences; what the sea was twenty years ago—as though the sea had ever changed—and how, when he had first crossed, his friends never expected to see him again. He had maae his will, and they parted as though he were to be forever lost to them. I assure you that I silently wished in my heart that he had never turned up again. Without saying a word, I got up, took my boxes, and left my Indian Princess. I was thoroughly angry with the old fellow for interrupting our tete-a-tete, and seriously annoyed with Mrs. for listening to and answering him. I made up my mind that that game had been played long enough. I would ask her the simple question the first chance I got, and know my fate at once. But the chance did not come as soon as I expected it would. “ She went to her room with a sick headache, so she said, and I paced the deck alone. We were a long way up the harbor when she made her appearance the following morning. She said that she had hurried with her packing, thinking that we were nearer than we really were to the city. “ ‘ Oh, Mr. Remington, I had no opportunity of returning your jewelry, and so I packed them with my things. But you are coming, you know, to dine with me on Saturday, and I will then give them to you.’ “‘Certainly,’ I said. ‘There is no time for us to change them now. Wear them until I see you again.’ “ I had fully made up my mind that as I had been baffled so often, I would now wait until I had seen her in her own home before I opened my heart to her, or rather before I asked her my fate. She already knew my heart. There was no time to talk; all was excitement; we were rapidly approaching; handkerchiefs were waving from the docks. The widow was straining her eyes, and, suddenly leaving me and going farther forward, I saw ner throw a kiss. How I longed to catch it! I looked with jealous eyes to see who would take it up and answer it. Foremost among the crowd was a great big man—six feet and broad in proportion. It was he who was returning her kisses. Could it be her brother, or was it a friend, and this merely a pleasant greeting from a distance? “ I watched him come on board, and what did the big idiot do but catch her up in his arms—my sweet one, whom, though loving, I had never dared to touch—and kiss her over and over again! I could have knocked him down.

“On drawing near to them, I saw that ■neither of them noticed me. She had forgotten my existence. With a heart-sick feeling I turned away. Was this to be the end? Why had I come home? I could hear them talking, though too miserable to listen. They came nearer, and the same soft voice that I loved so dearly said, ‘ Mr. Remington, 1 have been talking about you, telling ho w good and kind you have been, and how utterly forlorn I should have been had you not always looked out for my comfort. I have come to thank you, and my husband wants to thank you too.’ “Her husband! Great heavens! And I thought she was a widow, and had made love to het! I listened as though in a dream, and a deuced unpleasant one it was, too. 1 believe he thanked me, and she praised, and he thanked again, and then they urged me to come to see them, and she said, ‘Don’t forget Saturday.’ “ Whether I said anything, or whether I remained mute, is more than I can tett.' "T was like a man asleep, and'Kad to give myself a good shake to come out of the nightmare that I was in. When 1 looked around, she—they—were gone.” Here Hugh stopped as though he had finished; but hisfrlend Williams, whose curiosity was aroused, asked: “ Did you dine with her on Saturday?” “ No; 1 sent a regret” Have you ever seen her since?” “No, never.” “ What became of your nouveaules de Paris?"

“Nell went without them, as I went without my English robe.” “ You don’t mean that she never sent them to you?” “I never gave her my address, and she was not supposed to know where I was.” ; Williams didn’t like to ask any more questions, and Hugh remained quiet for a time. Then rousing himself-'and getting out of his chair, he said: “I have never made love since, and” —with a bitter laugh—“l always avoid women in deep mourning. And now as the fire has gone out with my story, I think we had better go to bed.”— Harper’s Weekly. A bankrupt, condoled for his embarrassment, said: “-Oh, I am not embarrassed at aIL it’s my creditors that are embarrassed.”