The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

nothing else than a consciousness that Miss |
Mason would prefer to see him alone.
ST never knew that she was singer,
remarked Miss Mason, when Rose had
gone.
"She told me that she had never before
sung since she came to Campton."
And to you belongs the credit of having
discovered her TALENT" with a smile which
indicated annoyance quite as much as 1t
dill the Opposite. Mr.. Ainslee remained
silent 81 nupa she will not henceforth,
feel above her business. The trouble with
servants is, 'Give them an inch, and they
will take take an ELL"
90 From what have seen Of her, donot
think Miss Bryant person whom ything
would cause to neglect her duty or assume
to herself unwarrantable airs" he could
not avoid saying.
Miss Mason bit her lips, and the hot
blood crimsoned her sallow cheeks. She
said:
"Since she took part in the play, on
the Fourth of July, she has never seemed
change to the praise then lavished upon
her."
"Indeedn
And the monosyllable had an infection
| that signified great deal.
After a brief conversation longer, Mr..
| Ainslee left the house.
The following Sunday morning, the
members of the choir were surprised to see
| Rose take a seat with them; less surprised
! at this than they were when they heard her
| voice, so superior, in every way, to any
| previously uniting with their own. Even
| the clergyman and most of the congrega-
ton raised their eyes to the singing seats
| to account for the mellow tones that fell
on their ears.
| Mr.. Ainslee suddenly conceived the idea
that it would be an excellent thing to have
| a rehearsal each Saturday evening, that
! lar
proved thereby; and it was approved by
the minister and by the choir. So, it was
at once carried into effect
From these rehearsals it became his Gus
! tom to accompany Rose home-as he did
| from the prayer-meetings-and thus, two
| evenings in the week he had the pleasure
of being with her alone for short time;
and pleasure, indeed, it was to both OF
them.
Along in September, as he and Rose
were on their way from a rehearsal, the
| latter said:
"Next Saturday evening will be my last
rehearsal with you"
"Your last rehearsal with US J" exclaimed
Mr.. Ainslee in surprise.
| "Yes. The year for which l engaged
with Mrs. Mason expires one week from
next Tuesday, and she informed me this
morning that after that time she should re-
quire my services no longer"
engaging you"
THAT she thinks she can employ some
one TO teach her daughter for smaller sal
airy than she pays me-"
"Yes. And what do you think the reason
is:''
There was no answer to this question,
and he continued:
"Let me tell you, Miss Mason is at the
bottom of the affair. She does not wish
any one as a member of the household, who
will win the regard which she desires
should be her own. Rose" he continued
presently, 81 love you as l have loved no
other woman" The hand resting on his
arm trembled. 81 have known what it Is
to lead a life of luxurious ease; l know
what it is to earn living by the sweat of
my brow. If you can love a poor man,
who loves you devotedly, will you be my
wife,"
And, hating, he gazed into the face over
which the moon poured flood of yellow
light.
eff YOU can be satisfied with the love OF a
servant, know that it has been yours in
fullest measure, for a long time; that Twill
become your wife whenever you choose"
He drew her face to his and kissed it.
81 should like to have the marriage cere-
mony performed on the evening of October
5-my twenty-fifth birthday-and in the
church here, as it was i'll this town that we
met and loved each other," he said.
That will suit me as well as another
time and place. Now | have one favor to
ask of YOU"
at is granted, before asked"
81 shall be obliged to go home for few
DAYS before l assume the responsibility of
becoming your wife. On my return | will
go to Mr.. Vernon's. Esther is dear
friend of mine, and l shall not hesitate to
confide the secret to her. shall not come
back till the day preceding the wedding,
and prefer YOU should not call upon me
till YOU come to escort me 20 the church.
"Very WE'LL" was his reply, though he
could not but wonder at her whim.
They had reached Mr.. NaSOn'S, and he
kissed her good night.
Three weeks from the next day, the con-
gregation in the church was electrified by
the announcement from the pulpit, at the
close of the afternoons discourse, that
''There will be a wedding i'll this place
next Wednesday evening at eight O'Clock,
to which, without further notice, you are
invited" Every human heart has pen
chant for the mysterious, and the pro-
spective wedding-of which this was the
: first intimation that any one had received
was deeper mystery than had ever been
known i'll Campton.
''Who can it be that is going to be mar.
| ried: whispered one to another, as they
stood with bowed heads while the bene-
diction was pronounced.
No one could make reply. And, at the
conclusion of the service, not few were they
who rushed to the pastor, hoping he would
vouchsafe solution to the problem. He
did not, and none of them ventured to ash
him point blank who the bride and groom
were.
s'Rose shall be present, any way" OBJ
, served Esther Vernon to one after another
''for | will write her about it this very day
if it is the Sabbath"
This remark tended to mystify those
'wise in their own conceit," who suspected
Rose might be the bride, but who were
, aware that, if such were the case, Esther
would be informed of the fact, so warm
, was the friendship between the two
, Moreover, Mr.. Aineslee, the only gentle
! man in Campton who had ever shown Rose
any marked attention, was quite indiffer
ent to the whole matter, and didn't even
q change color when the announcement was
. made, according to the contralto singer, q
, keen observer of men and things-eSpec
tally the former-shrewd at guessing, and
\ a notorious gossip.
At twenty minutes of eight. on tbs
. evening when the event which, for three
. days, had agitated the minds of Campton
was to take place, Mr.. Ainslee rang the
he'll at Mr.. Vernon's and was conducted by
Eeher to the vacant parlOr.
! Rose will be here presently" she said
$50 please excuse me-"
q Soon he heard light step, and, looking
up, saw a vision of loneliness near hin
that almoft took his breath away. Gould
this creature in a brocade-satin, with {
: fchH of the rarest lace, with diamonds il
her ears and about her neck, be Rose, the
poor teacherp
, Aren't YOU glad to see me?" she asked
gracefully, moving toward him, and theI
, putting her lips to his.
"Yes butt he stammered.
"We must be on our way to the church,
+ she remarked. 81 do not wish to keeI
those hidden to the wedding in a state o.
| anxiety longer than is neceSSarY.N smiling