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

| HernoncieuI rode grew terrified 1T the
| thunder and lightning. The rain dashed
! in our faces as went on at full speed, and
| though | could see that the young lady
was al excellent horsewoman, her fright
ened SuiGnal was almos: beyond her con-
troll.
Three hundred yards from the gate of
the villa occurred the accident | spoke of.
A tree had been blown down across the
road, and Miss HermoncieuX'S horse at
tempted to clear it. In leaping, her girth
broke, but l was close to her, and caught
her as she was falling. For a moment l
held her in my arms, and by a natural i'm
pulse she had thrown her own around my
neck.
One feels queer sensation embracing a
young lady in so unexpected a manner 1t
amounts TO nothing, OF course, since she
would clasp fOOtnan In the same afec-
t:onate faShiOc. But | aid nO5 remember
that; and then the young girl held to my
heart, her cheek touching my own for an
instant, was Miss Hermoacieux,
The rest of the adventure was rather
prOsaic. The young lady's horse had
darted from under her. and l dismounted
quickly, giving her my arm. She was
laughing, though the rain was beating upon
her, and the furious gusts blowing her
brown hair about. 1t had fallen and covered
her shoulders, and as she had dropped her
riding-hat, her head was Unprotected. Her
wet dress chung to her person, and alto
gether she suggested the idea OF a naiad,
and very charming one.
There is nothing to do but walk home"
l said. ''You don't seem to mind il in the
least"
II don't mind it at ALL she said, laugh
ing. And putting on her hat, which l
picked UP, she took my arm, and we walked
TO the villa. where we were received with
eXclanlations and every evidence of delight.
| came home when the storm lulled
little, and have amused myself by writing
this page in my journal. wonder whether
she felt the least bit of agitation / GER
tainly did when her arms were around my
neck and her cheek touched mine:
III.
l rode over TO Mr.. Fen1on's this morning.
As | came in sight OF the old merchants
villa | was STRUCK with the contrast between
the house and grounds and my own. Mr..
Fentbn has amused his leisure III lavishing
money on the place, ard nothing could be
neater or more attractive. / think envy
was left out of my composition, but | re-
member thinking: The owner of fine
establishment is fortunate. Ii he falls in
love with a rich girl, nobody can suspect
his motives"
1 was riding up to the gate leading into
the grounds. when Warrington passed in
his drag with his superb bays and liveriel
fOOtman. His appearance was Respondent,
and his handsome must1che curled with
ENJOYMENT as he cried: Glow goes it, NV
dear fellow" Then the shining dra% went
by ike a flash and disappeared through
the tall gateway.
Warrington had evidently come to call
on Miss HeTmOncieu-1, and the fact was
annoying. [ should be de t'op and it is
not good 10 be de trap. Ihesitatsd, resolved
10 put of my visit, rode back Slowly Tor
mile, and then. impatient at my own cow
l.a+TIT.,, al rOle no
Of the villa just in time to see Miss Her
mOncieuX and Warrington disappearing
on stroll.
Miss Arthur was sitting in rustic arm
chair on the veranda.
"Do come and talk to mew she ex-
claimed, holding out her hand, and point
ing to a chair near her. Poor Sir Tristan,
/ am your only resource. The gallant Sir
" arlington has borne off The prize"
l was accustomed to Miss Arthur's
vivacity and plain-speaking, so 1 said:
"Well, the prize, l suppose, is willing"
Miss Arthur looked az me satirically,
her black eyes sparkling. what actors
you gentlemen are, You affect iadilTer-
eace, and vet found out your secret a
month ago"
"Mv Secret:"
you are in love with Elise Hermon-
cieux. You are blushing. Twas certain OF
it."
What an idea ~ stammered. sit would
be too stupid.
Il don't see that it would be 50 stupid.
Elise is the very best girl in the world, and
nos positively frightful. Mr.. Warrington
IS enslaved, you see, and you know he is a
gentleman OF taste"
was entitled, l Thought, to my revenge,
aad said: rs he> Well, | heard that he
was devoted friend of yours"
Miss Arthur cOlored q little, and de-
tec5ed a lurking expression of satire on her
red lips. Certainly he is a devoted
friend, and how charming it will be to have
him in the family"
Are they to be married? When is it to
take place."
Miss Arthur looked at me moment
without speaking, and then said: "Will
you answer plain question: L dare you,
as the children say"
''Ill not take a dare Yes, | will az
swer it."
We'll, why doa't You tell Elise:"
"That you love the very ground she
walks on?''
What an absurdity.''
''No, | am not at all absurd" she said
''If there was any doubt, YOU would not
blush SO. Do YOU know like to see people
blush: 1t is SO honest. | really take an
interest in you. 1t is surprising, but YOU
pay me just as much attention as you did
when you supposed | was great heiress."
do you think that so astounding"
at has at least the charm of contrast:
others have not been so diSintarested Il is
strange, but you and are just as good
friends as before, and | think friends ought
to give each other advice"
"Certainly."
''Weu, shall [ give you some:'"
''If You please"
Tell Elise. She doesn't suspect it in the
least 4 brave man ought to have courage
to risk his fate.r
She spoke earnestly now, and 1 felt an
impulse to speak as earnestly in reply.v
Miss Arthur" l said, did YOU ever re-
fleet how unpleasant it is 30 be poor: 1t is
what the French call bptiSp."
That depends. Health and friends are
the greatest source of happiness, AMI |
don't believe tits good for anybody to be
very rich"
Il agree with you; and vet suppose q
man with just enough to live upon TAILS in
love with woman OF large fortune, what
is he to do:"
''Tell her 500
"And be suspected of thinking of her
money and not of herself. No, thank
YOU"
"And that is the reason Won don't nav
your addresses to Elise, though You are a
victim" There was something Irresistible
in her franknesS.
Il did not know il until the other evening
it is absurd, but [ did no5''
THE other evening, when You rode home
with her, and so gallantly rescued her, AMI
embraced her in that highly improper
manner. She was shocked. She told me
all about it,"
And made me a laughing-stocS, 1 sup
pose. Well, L can't help that"
"She did nos laugh at You III the least.
And So that is the reason You are 50 glum
Sir Tristan, the sad knight. allows the raw
Sir Warrington to win the princess because
he is afraid of being misunderstood"
IF yOu choose. Bat | must ask one