The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-18

hate to take it back from her now. She's
been so perfectly dreadful, and said such
awful thingsi Dick SAYS she won't keep
it; he says it's different with men, but
women have no right to do these things;
bat l can't bear TO take it back. twill
always seem as if she gave it TO me.
And you too, John, how viii you ever
forgive me? You always thought so
much of it; it seemed to you just as If 1t
was yours always, but it isn't yours any
more, nor mine-it's hersr'
l put my hands on her shoulders.
Jane" said. solemnly, Twill you
try to tell me what you are talking
about?"
20. you poor DEAR" she whispered,
''Of course you can't understand it.
How can you ever believe I'd do such a
thing?"
"Jane," cried, shaking her Shout
ders to and fro, Twill you please tell me
what you have done?''
why, hare told you, John. Dick
says it won't amount to anything"
''Jane. if you mention Dicks name
again I'll throw you out of the window!
What hare yOu dOne?'
''Why, what's the matter with you.
John? Haven't | told you time and
again that have lost your farm? That
is, it was my farm, but what is mine is
yours. 1t was all Maria's fault. She
was so aggravating one day when we
were talking politics went and bet my
farm against hers, and Twas sorry right
away, but was too proud to let Maria
see it, and she was so dreadful she
made me 90 down to Blanktown with
her and get the deeds fixed, and I've
been almost wild about it ever since
it's just spoiled all my interest in poll
ties and everything. 1t seemed to me
as ii wouldn't care 1ChO was elected If L
could only get my farm back and you
wouldn't know what | had done. And
last night told Dick Knowles about it
and begged of him to take me down the
firstthing in the morning, and | thought
should die when found that everything
had gone against us. Dick tried to COM
fort me, but L knew just how you'd feel,
and, oh, John, how good You are to mer
For / had gathered her to my heart on
the. old hide-bound trunk, and taken her
on my knee, and was stroking her hair
and kissing her hands, and hadn't made
such fool of myself over her since they
shut the door of the carriage and left
us alone together the day we were mar
ried.
All at once we heard the sound of
wheels on the gravel walk. There she
is, - said Jane, looking ont of the hall
window. ''She's on the front seat with
Dick. o. John, what shall l do?'
put her hand in my arm. and down
we went Sure enough. therethey were.
Dicks bays all in lather, as Sam had
said; and no sooner were the sisters
within mailing distance than Maria called
out to Jane, with an air Of great be-
nightly, Il sha'n't take your farm from
you, dear: it's enough for me to have
won the day"
My wife'S face was picture to see.
Such a struggle with relief and morti-
fed pride; such an eagerness to get back
her farm. yet reluctant to accept it at
the hands of her triumphant sister.
Ipulled out Dicks deed and went to
the rescue, You and | have always
been good friends, Maria" 1 said;
there's little matter of exchange I'd
like to arrange with you this morning"
Dick was frOwning, and reckoning me
with all his might behind his wife's
back, but | went relentlessly on: ga fair
is no robbery, Maria. Dick
and made little bet on the election.
I'll exchange his property for James"
Maria gasped little she looked over
the paper. ''Well, of all the fools -
said Maria.
Then Sam put up the horses. and we
went in to a somewhat late breakfast.
And as we sat there. drinking our cot
fee in the old genial way, a drop of wa
ter fell from above on the table; then
another. and another, and looking up,
we beheld a big damp spot widening on
the ceiling.
..Why, what is that?" said Jane.
l sprang from my chair $50 on with
your breakfast" l said; I'll 90 and
see"
| went up those stairs three at time,
and flying into our bcd-chamber, en-
1eavored to remedy the ruin l had
made. began picking up the broken
pieces of the pitcher and the bits of
and hopping up the floor,
md stuffing things in the bureau
drawers, and tossing the bedclothes on
he bed, and in the midst of my super
human exertiOnS to do these things all
1t once l heard my wife say: why,
good gracious, sakes alive, John"
There she stood. like a retributive
nigel, in the doorway. "An accident,
my dear" | stammered. I'm my hurry
o dress, I inadvertently knocked over
The pitcher and put my elbow through
he l0oking-glass. was little worried
about you: it is not usual for you to get
up in the morning and 60 of, in that
way"
"Why." said Jane. ''you must have
known l was all right, for Sam saw me
With Dick Knowles. l called out to him
% tell you, but perhaps he didn't hear
ne. we were going so fast. Didn't Sam
ell you?"
'.Wouldn't YOU like, Jane" 1 said,
,ontemplatively. ''to have new carpet |
or this room. and a brand-new bed
Dom set, and all those pretty knick-
hacks in china. and curtains of sprigged |
muslin tied back with pink r:bbons?"
Jane claSped her hands IN ecstasy.
md we don't talk about politics any
more down this way.-Mrs. Frank Nc
Cartty, Ia Harper'S Weekly.
.