The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-24

he is no longer the boy il thought and
expression that he was a short time be-
fore. and speaks as might be expected
from his appearance.
81 remember it all now" he says,
s'You are Ethel Gordon; of course you
are. and you wouldn't have anything
to do with me-and quite right, too
and then you married my brother
Lionel. You see I'm as clear as a bell
again, now. So YOU came up and found
me battering at the old door, eh? Do
you know, got the fancy | was boy
again and coming home to-bah, what
does all that matter to you? Odd sort
of fancy though, wasn't it? Drink is
always playing me some cursed trick
now. A pretty fool l must have made
of myself!''
She says nothing, and he thrustS his
hands deep in his ragged pockets.
''Hallo! what this I've got?' he says.
as he feels something at the bottom OF
one of them, and bringing out the box
of soldiers he had bought half an hour
before he holds it up with harsh
laugh which has the ring of despair in
it.
''Do you see this?' he says to her.
''You IL laugh when l tell you it's toy
[ bought just now for-guess whom
for your dear husband, Must have been
pretty bad, mustn't L? Shall l give il
to you to take to him-no? Well, per-
haps he has outgrown these things now,
so here goes;" and he tosses the box
over the railing, and it falls with a
shiver of broken glass as the pieces of
painted tin rattle out upon the flag
stones.
''And now I'll wish you good even
ing" he says, sweeping off his battered
hat with mock courtesy.
She tries to keep him back. ''No,
Wilfred, no; you must not 90 like that.
We live here still, Lionel and 1, in the
same old house," and she indicates the
house next door; she will be home very
soon. Will you" (she cannot help a
little shudder at the thought of such a
guest)-'will you come in and wait for
him?"
Throw myself into his arms, eh?"
he says. '.How delighted he would be.
I'm just the sort of brother to be a
credit to a highly respectable young
barrister like him. You really think
he'd like it? No; it's all right, Ethel;
don't be alarmed; was only joking.
shall never come in your way. l promise
you. I'm just going to take myself
off"
Don't say that" she says (in spite
of herself she feels relieved); ''tell me
is there nothing we can do-no help
we can give you?"
Nothing" he answers, fiercely; 81
don't want your pity. Do you think /
can't see that you wouldn't touch me
with the tongs if you could help it? It's
too late TO snivel over me now, and I'm
well enough as am. You leave me
alone to 90 to the devil my own way:
it's all 1 ask of you. Good d-bye. It's
Christmas, isn't it? haven't dreamed
that at all events. Well, l wish you
and Lionel as merry Christmas as |
mean to have. l can't say more than
that in the way of enjoyment"
He turns on his heel at the last words
and slouches off down the narrow lane
by which he had come. Ethel ROLES
ton stands for awhile looking after his
receding form till the fog closes round
it and she can see it no more. She
feels as if she had seen ghost; and for
her, at least, the inclosure before the
deserted house next door will be haunted
ever more-haunted by a forlorn and
homeless figure sobbing there by the
railings.
AS for the man, he goes on his way
until he finds door which is not closed
aUainst him. -LOn0nl17k' Ma1azine.