The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-29

said, ITO tel yoa that my affair yonder IS
about arranged"
Your aifSir-with Miss Hermoncieux:"
lie nodded with al air OF much enjoy
ment.
well" 1 said, 81 congratulate you.
When is to take place."
''W arlington looked at me curiously. 81
thought You would be more cut up,' he
said. "A million is pretty figure, and
don't turn up every day"
MY dear Warrington" I said, "le5 me
give you a piece of advice: don't refer 50
publicly to Miss Thermometers money: II
YOU DO people VIII say that yoa are think
ing of that rather than Of the young LADY,
"Wen,'' he said, with gay laugh. You
are right-humaI nature Is uncharitabie.
1 doa'5 mini saying that n young lady's
bank account is an important item 10 a
fellow so deuced hard up as l am; but in
the case OF a girl as lovely as Miss Her
monciex, that dwindles into insignif-
cance."
"a noble sentiments
'Well, Old fellow. see Won are cut up.
after all. | am sorry, but can't help II. l
thought | would call on my way to the vii
la to tell you how things stood. as it is best
to avoid misunderstanding and you are
too honorable a man lowell, put any
trouble in the way OF a friend"
Put any trouble:"
"Weil, heard you were a little soft on
Hiss HerinOncieuX yourself. l can under
stani that-and as long as the way was
clear. You would be justified in going
ahead: but"
Warrington pause1. laughing and look
ing az me significantly. l returned the
look and said:
Are YOU engaged 70 be married to Miss
Hermoncieux, Warrington"
He laughed again, but not quite SO natT-
rally. The question evidently took him by
surprise.
.'Well-that is-not precisely engqged,
NV dear fellow-bu5-you understand"
1t was my time to laugh now. Il see
vour little affair is not exactly arranged
| said, though | thought it was, from yoIr
appearance after that promenade. But set
your mind at rest. | have at present no
intention Of asking Miss HermOncieuX to
MARY me. She is much too rich, and | am
much to9 pOor-unequal unions are always
I'm fOrtunG5e."
Warrinyton's expression indicated inn
rnense relief. MY dear fellow. | honor
Your motives :" he exclaimed. Il wish [
could initiate YOU. But, yOu sac, | am
mighty har,l up, and I am obliged 80 disre-
gard these nice sentin euts, no. that Miss
HermoncieuN's money is what | am think
ing of-you won't do me that injustice. Ii
is Only-wcll. al C,idIiODm attraction"
~ have no doubt it is" l said, laughing
rather rucfully.
Il see You are not 50 cut up. Why not
promisa TO be my best mani"
wen talk of that t. there will be
TIM, slpDose. l think y0l said you
were not engaged. Why didn't You pro-
pose on that walk? Then all would now be
arranged"
Warrington laughed rather unaasilv. II
thoa"ht | would, but felt little AFRAID.
Ba5 | assure You, my dear hoy, L APP
preached the subject, AMI think can say
that i5-5he affair will soon be con-
cluded.'
Having made this significant statement,
Warrington wrung my hand with the
greatest cordiality, and getting into his
drag, disappeared toward the villa.
sat rejecting for more than an hour on
this singular interview. Then | mounted
and rode to superint md the draining of 4
piece o. meadow. l had determined not to
go near Fir. Fenton's, since / had given
Warrington sort OF promise, would keep
my promise thoroughly.
A week afterwGrd | received Il line frC-n
Miss ArthIr which induced me TO ride to
the villa.
I'VE are going home," said the nctA,
"and you seem resolved not 10 come and
say Sood-by."
An hour afterward 1 was seated in the
DRAWN groom at Mr. Fenton's converSiug
with Hiss Arthur.
81 had better opinion of vou," she said,
ethan to think you would forget your
friends"
u have been engaged draining my land"
REPLIED, rather drearily, 'aad, besides,
made promise"
"A prOmise:"
''To Sir Warrington, as you call him
the successful chevalier. l suppose his
prospects are as encouraging as ever, and
he is here occasionally"
Occasionally? He is here morning,
noon and night. Bat what promise did
you make him."
II am not certain oaght to tell you; but
I will do so if you will regard it as conf
Dental. He told me of his affair, as he
calls il. and | engaged not to interfere with
him. l hope you understand"
Yes, L understand. But you really
are too absurd. L will speak plainly-1
hate ceremony. 1 am your friend and l
Elise to marry you? She might"
What did Miss Arthur meanI looked
at her, but she was laughing. Il have al
ready told you why 1 do not" 1 said.
''Since you speak plainly, reply as dis
tinctly."
Because she is wealthy"
Aud you are not:"
"Well, as that is the only obstacle
Elisa's money! have the pleasure of in
forming yOu that it 10 longer exists. That
is a fine sentence, but expresses the idea"
mo longer exists"
81 see you have not heard the news.
Here is som e5hing which will save me the
trouble of explaining"
She opened portfolio lying upon an old
secretary in one corner Of thu drawing
room. and took out letter, which she un-
folded and presented to me.
1t bore the New Orleans poStmIrk, with
the name and address of legal firm in the
upper corner. AMI its contents were melan-
chOly. BY the defalcation of Miss Her
moacieux's former guardian and la5e
trustee, Mr.. -, her entire property had
been swept away, together with large
assets of the bank of which Mr.. - had
been cashier. He had left the city, and an
examination OF his papers hal revealed
Miss HermOncieuX'S misfortune. The legal
firm wrote to ascertain whether she desired
to have proceedings taken to punish the
defaulter.
dropped the letter with no regret at all,
but great feeling of joy.
Il see you are deeply affected by poor
Elise's loss" said Miss Arthur. laughing.
Il sympathize with her sincerely"
"And are not in the least sorry. 1t is
heartless in me to laugh, but, the obstacle
to n certain proceeding on the part of a
certain Don Qdixote, or Sir Tristan, if You
prefer, is now removed"
But where is the happy knight, Sir
Warrin gton:" l said.
He has not been here since we told him
the news. And yet L am sure he is even
sorrier than you are"
II was in maze. $50 Miss Hermoncieux
is pennileSS." [ said. Il sincerely feel for
her"
II don't think shs minds it. She is
brave girl, AMI as cheerful as before"
What are her plans, may l ask"