McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-01-24
A GIRLS FOLLY.

feQ-DrlCk, SW6eC-Scentou WOOUDlne
trailing over its rustic porch, a green
lawn before it surrounded by flowers,
and a charming country. landscape
spreading out in the distance. Inside,
in its small but pretty parlor, on the
red table-cover waited the tea-tray,
with it's cups and saucers. The win
dow stood open to the still, warm au-
tumn air, and the French porcelain
clock on the mantel-piece was strik-
ing B.
a slender girl of some twenty years
came in. She was very lovely. But
her bright blue eyes bore sort of
weary or discontinued look, and her
bright brown hair was somewhat ruff
fed. She wore a print washing dress
of black and white, neither very smooth
nor very fresh, and lace neck collar
fastened with. a bow of black ribbon.
She had made an appointment to
meet Reginald Vavasour, rich young
gentleman who had made her acquaint-
ance down by the willow walk, and her
lover, Thomas Watkyn, had told her he
would call that evening. Just before
he left, she said:
favor, Thomas7''
"What is itp" he repeated.
"If you would not very much mind
going home by the hill and would leave
this note at Miss Ford's. particu-
larly wish her to have it this evening""
He paused for an instant, not sreply-
ing. She went on nuriedly:
az see that it is disagreeable to you.
I have offered too much"
"Not that" he answered, holding out
his hand for the note. "But can
hardly spare the time for the long way
this evening, as 1 have to call at Kill
ick's for my father. However," he
said no more, but took the note.
"Good-by. Thomas"
"Good-by."
"I'm glad he took the note. I shall
be safe now" .-...
Miss Alison Reece was clever
young lady. The direct and near way
to MIR. Watkyn's home would lead him
pass the willow walk. She had de-
vised this impromptu note to her dress
maker in the afternoon to prevent his
taking that usual route. Had he seen
young Vavasour cooling his heels within
would inevitably suspect he was wait
ing to keep lovers tryst.
Alison was busy IN the kitchen next
morning when she heard her mother
open the front door and some one come
in. at is that chattering Mrs. Ben
nett" thought she, as she dried the
teaspoons.
"Alison, come here, called her
mother, in q quick voice.
She went to the parlor just as she
washer sleeves turned back at the
wrist, a large, brown Holland apron on.
Very pretty she looked with it all. But
it was not Mrs. Bennett who sat with !
her mother; it was venerable, white !
haired gentleman-Mr. Watkyn the
elder.
Il am come to ask. about Thomas"
said he. 81 believe he came here last |
night, Miss Alison; at what time did
he leave you?''
A provision struck her with sort of !!
terror that something was wrong. "He
left quite early" she faltered.
swell, he has never come home"
"Not come home!" she said, with a |
whitening face.
III sat up till / O'Clock, and then 1 |
thought the mist must have kept him
that he had stayed at some friends
house. / knew not what to think, and
that he would be home the first thing
this morning. But we have not seen
him, and cannot hear of him.
Mrs. Reece was impressed with the
frightened, guilty look that Alison
could not keep out of her countenance,
and began to feel uneasy. "Cannot
you tell what time it was when he left
your" he demanded, sternly.
SIT was after dusk. 1t was just after
the mist came on. 1t
must have been near O'clock"
(which road did he takeP" pursued
Mrs. Reeee. And very reluctantly Ali
bring On further questioning: i