The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-03

81 have no reason on earth TO suspect this
young lady."I added. severely; 81 have
her address, and know to whom she was
goiIIg. The loss of the money is a trihe
compared to her safety"
Mr.. Jones-I had reason afterward to
learn his name-mOved his head in apology
BEG pardon, Pm sure, IL / have speler
too hastily" he said: "bu5 the two cir.
cumstances seemed as you nay say TO fl
exactly; she was young lady going t.
{ school, and the gentleman-taking care oil
her as might be-loSt sight of her in Just
the same way; found he'd been robbed
/ but wouldn't credit that twas she WHO'D
: take the money from him. She was small,
fair, young, with a pink and white face
and as innocent as babv's. Don't answer
the description in no way :"-the wretch
saw that was quailing under his scrutiny.
swell, Pm glad to hear it, sir; thank you,
sir'-I was turning away-''and if you
should happen to want any information al
any time you'll find NE here ready"
"Drive to Bloombury square, 2O9." Mis-.
Lorimer's-that was the address given me,
Need say that the drive was a failure!
Before l asked felt assured that the name
of Montmorenci was unknown. Never
within the memory of the oldest inhabitant
had ladies' school been kept there; MAS.
ter's lived here himself for nearly thirty
years."
There was an end then-no need for fur.
Their NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. doubt had been
cheated, robbed, made dupe of; there was
nothing left but to take my quarters at the
hotel and laugh at myself for my folly.
But the misfortune was that l couldn't
laugh, strive as 1 might; my heart was
heavy; between me and everything ]
looked at a face came 10 distract me. o.
the thousand mad ideas that went coursine
through my brain that night, when, unable
to rest, and seized with some wild i'm.
probability, l roamed the streets, denying
TO myself what brought me out, and feared
to find what l had some to seek for.
remembered on my return catching sight
of myself in the glass, and l laughed out.
right, but not because l felt merry. Hap.
PLY, as the day CAME on, my fever in a
measure left me. Reason returned, and
could give my ear to her precepts.
1 went again to the station, interviewed
the willy Jones, and invited him to spend a
friendly evening with me. / wanted to
know about the other victim, in what man.
ner he had been duped, and the steps he
had taken. "Wouldn't take no steps at
ALL" said Jones, Indignantly; "didn't care
hang for the money, all he wanted was to
find her,"
"Just SOL knew the feeling exactly, and
l fancy Mr.. Jones guessed as much: for
though he aimed his arrows at the dupe
whOswaS not present, he took careful heed
that each one should pass through me-.
"All false sympathy" he said at parting;
"pity's thrown away on such as she, but
there, gentlemen must take their way; and
as it's no doubt cost a tidy. sum, perhaps
after all, sir, the lesson may be of profit to
you"
l thanked Mr.. Jones cordially; felt
verv little fear that a second time l should
ever fall victim. The world of women
was evidently terra incognita to me, and
henceforth, as far as possible, must try
and steer clear of them. Up to this period
l had occupied a neutral position, hence
forth 1 was armed to the teeth, my antag.
onism to the fair sex became byword and
a reproach to me. "Never had thought
of love in his life!" said they who know
me, and have never read these confessions,
and by them learned what narrow escape
l once ran of not living and dying a
bachelor.-Temple Bar.