The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-28

How IN the world did YOU ever have
such patience, Cynthy?"
1T was perhaps the hundredth time
he had asked the same question, and
only TO receive the same comforting re-
ply:
''Oh. | knew there was good in YOU
somewhere, brother, and it would only
take time and patience and plenty of
prayer to bring it out. and sure
enough
Two more days must e,apse before
Mrs. Forbes would return from the
city, and it was both pitable and laugh
able to note the conflicting emotions
with which her worthy but troubled
spouse anticipated her appearance.
''Of course she II know all about the
failure and our losses" he said TO his
sister, repeatedly. $50, thank fortune,
we shan't have 10 tel her about it. but
| should think she'd hurry home on
that very account now. shOuldn't you?"
"WeH, | suppose she thinks she
might as well have her visit out"
Cvnthy would reply. ''You know her
brothers wanted this visit for long
time"
Hope they ain a urging Miss Forbes
to stay away from me in the future"
said the Captain the afternoon of the
day his wife was expected home. By
this time the poor mans anxiety and
forebodings were truly painful to wit
ness.
Now. Jonathan, that's downright
naughty of you," said Miss Cvnthv,
'.aS if Maria would desert in trouble,
Of all times"
At last the stage coach stopped at
the cottage door. but somehow, the
Captain could not 90 out, a. expected.
to greet his vile, lOngeh for rs she had
been.
lie stood pepping through the blinds
as the stage driver helped her alght,
then rolled her little trunk into the
gravelly path. All at once he turned
TO his sister, his face fairly working
with emotion.
30. Cinthy, she doesn' t know thing
about it. | know she doesn't. She
smilin' and nodIin' to the driver. an
her face is as peaceful Is the coral
isles, and poor Miss Forbes don I know,
| know she don t"
But he could hold Of no longer. his
wife was at the door, and the next mo-
ment had entered the room, given him
4 loving embrace, and receiving his
sounding smack. then went over and
kissed SISTER Cinthy'' attectionate!y.
The little maid of all work soon an
nOunced supper, and although the Cap
tain sat with the most lugubrious face
imaginable, vet throughout the meal,
Mrs. Forbes was as bright and JOYOUS
as young girl, her rOInd, dumpling-
like face and figure shaking with
laughter ut the queer stories she hal to
tell, and at amusing "reminiscences of
her Journey.
After tea, when they were sitting
costly together. the husband, wife and
sister. Captain Forbes felt that at last
his time had come, so Summon;ng all
his courage, he said with a gigantic
effort at calmneSS:
maria, dear. there's awful news"
''Now. the little black kitty amt
dead or any of the chickens, l hope"
sand Mrs, Forbes
"Mercy, nor Then as gently as
possible, the Captain broke the disas-
trouS tidingS, how the bank had broke,
and they had lost all.
Law. yes. | knew it had broke"
said Mrs. Forbes, complacently, but
thank a kind, merciful Heavenly Father,
it Amt hurt us any"
''Why, what do YOU mean?" ga~ppd
the Captain. fearing her senses had de-
serted her at the news; "all we had
was there, wife"
mo, wasn't" she answered. plq-
cidlv. I'D drawed it all ont three
DAYS afore the smash came. Brother
William has it all safely invested in b:s
business
Why. bat Maria, YOU couldn't draw
it. | deposited that money. no enc
could draw it without my order"
Mrs. Forbes broke into a ripping
laugh.
"Well now, do YOU think. Johnny
Forbes. I've lived with you all these
years without bein' able to write ex-
acily like You? never did approve Of
all your money bein' in that bana, and
William didn't, so | Just writ out an
order, an endorsed il. | had vcnr
book along. had an. idee once in the
city | might want it. so just got the
money as slick rs could be, an it All
safe an sound. | didn't tell William
that.
But Captain Forbes was regarding
his wife with distended ewes. Finally .
he roared in true sailor fashion:
Honolulu and all the Gulf Sta;es."
Why, Miss Forbes, that's forgery
Whats forgery" asked his sleek, /
wife
Why, a copyin' my handwI tn.
Didn't YOU know that?'
''Sakes, no; wouldn' a done wrong /
for all the money in the world, but |
how long since you and | have been /
two, Jackey Forbes, L should like to
know"
When at last she became convinced |
of her innocent wrong doings. Mrs.
Forbes at once wrote To their old nc
quaintance, the President of the Bank.
the whole transaction and
asking what she should 90.
But the conScience-Stricken man re
piled, that grave IS the mistake might
have been under other circumstances.
he was vet only too glad that they were
saved the enguling ruin of the banks
collapse.
Mrs. Forbes always speaks regratrll-
" of having done a wrong decd.
unwittingly and for the best.
But with generous hands, both she and
the Captain help to their utmost ability
those who did suffer from the bursting
of the bank, while the Captain oftsp de-
clareS with characteristic vehem ence.
that women are amaZin' cute and
curious when they take business Iaat-
tiers into their own hands Heavens