The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-10


sister, whose praises l have been chant
ing to you for the last fortnight. Han
nah, allow me to present Lord Valen
tine Featherhuff. Lieutenant Fleming
you have met my dear Nan, l think
and Philip is an acquaintance of all,
understand
49, BoacS and greetings on all sides.
Hannah. Where is Richard?
Ruth (gayty.) o, Richard, poor soul,
[ told in the most unwifely manner to
go on with the rest of the party, and
we would take you and Philip with us
in our carriage. Come, we must be off.
Lord Featherhuff and Lieutenant
Fleming fly 10 aid Hannah in
adjusting her acrdpS. Philip,
StaD1G'lg near, grdcety tDlaces the
furry garment about her shoulders.
Hannah (1sodttinq nperrily to the de-
fcted toOGtn.) Thank you, both: l am
| just as much obliged. We are use to
Philip having his own way.
Lord. f. Aw, Miss Hannah, we'll
hope not, really, in every case.
Looks stiff bttt sentimental. ]
Ruth. Come! come! we must 90. II
you two gentlemen will see that my
dear Nan is carefully put into the car
riage, | will follow with Philip.
Both Lord Valentine and Lieuten-
ant Fleming offer an arm TO
Hannah, UhO accepts Lieutenant
Fleming's and aOith an arch
smile giUes 0LOres fan, and opera
glass 10 Lord Valentine.]
Ruth. One moment, Philip, before
we start. Can you imagine why l in
troduced Lord Featherfuff to Nan, nO,O
at the very beginning of her first sea-
son out?
PHiiip (ScorntuNy.) You want your
innocent sister to marry that brainless
| idiot?
Ruth (laughing.) You are not COM
plimentary, Phil. True, my lord is not
overburdened with brains; still, he is
the very man of all others for Hannah.
She is ambitious; he has noble name;
she has wealth; he has position-or will
have if his elder brother dies. 1 be-
lieve he has been rather wild in a weak
way, but Nan could straighten him up
if any one could.
Philip (indignantly.) Of course her
heart is out of the question. To bear
the title of such rare bit of weak
wickedness should satisfy our republi-
can hearts.
Ruth. My dear boy-you always will
be a boy to me, Philip-am I not per-
fectly happy? 1t is no secret to you
that L did not care a pin for Richard
when 1 married him. My parents
selected my husband for me. l mar
ried him | adore him. You know as
well as that Hannah has no concep-
ton of the word love. She is the coldest-
hearted little piece | ever met. Look
at the dance sheIhas led poor Tom
Fleming, who has adored her since sne
was in pinafores! 1t shows an utter
lack of heart. Now Lord Featherhutf''
position would eractiy suit her, and in
time she would no doubt grow quite
fond of him in her cool way.
Philip. Great heavens, Ruth, what
picture!
Ruth. Nonsense, Philip! it's the way
of the world. think you are too hard
on Lord FeatheIIIuff. He was with us
often while Richard was Consul at
Liverpool, and came over in the same
ship with us on our return, and [ never
saw more Obliging young man. And
ii Hannah could only have it repre-
sented to her by some disintereSted
person Well (cOaringLy), III tell
you, my dear Phil, what l really want
is that you II speak good word for him
to Hannah, and in a cautious way pre-
pare her to accept him.
Philip (ironicGtky). o, that's all, is it?
Ruth. Yes. She seems to have more
regard for your opinion than any one
else's. Now do be good; promise me
YOU will try and help me. would not
tell any one else. have set my heart
on your promise, Philip. You will
say you will.
Philip ('cearily). o, yes; I'll see what
| can do.
Ruth preparing to go). Never fear
for an ambitious woman. If the road
to the goal is once pointed out, she will :
reach it herself without further help.
Come, we must join the others. Richard
will think am lost.
Philip. I'm not going.
Rtth( (snrpriSedD. Not going? What's
this | hear? Good by, then, and sue
cess!
[Gagly Kisses her hand, and ran
iSheS, learing Philip sta1lding,
hands IN pockets, had Tent, a
picture Of despair.
Euter Benjamin Allen AMI Uite.
Benjamin. What, Philip, not going
to the merry-making?
Patience (gentty). Why, Benjamin,
thee knows our Philip is a sober lad.
Why be surprised at his remaining with
his beloved books, instead of joining
our madcap girls in what l fear to be
very foolish pastime?
Seats herself, and BEGIN to rock
quietly.
Benjamin. l fear Ruthie grows more
worldly as time moves on, and now she
stretches forth her hand to draw my
quiet kitten with her. | had hoped, in
giving her to Richard Dexter, l was
anehoring that light nature in the calm
harbor of our faith. Who could believe
that Thomas Dexter's son could become
one of the worlds people?
Patience (tak 'ng up book. Thee
must not be hard on Ruthie, father
The child has well-meaning heart,
and have faith few more years will
show her the vanity of this worlds
pledSureS' anu SeHu neI p;tch WIFI re-
newed love to the peace which dwells
in the faith of her fathers. Thee must
remember thee and l were almost gay
once. Has thee forgotten, Benjamin.
the day we walked tn meeting across
the fields. tagging behind our elders,
and thee said-bent on mischief
Patience, take off the ugly bonnet
that hides thine eyes, that L may read
thy thoughts, for thy tongue plays me
WSS Ge IHs He ps @ Se, eyes anS Say Op s,r4sd that