The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-30

ing? 1t might be a message, thoIgh
| She broke off in her song, and went her.
self to see.
Can see Farmer Blackthorn, miss?''
asked the lad.
Farmer Blackthorn was about, and
was soOa found. The lad pulled his
| cap as if to Squire. for Tom Black
| thorn had many popular memories
, about him. since the days when he had
tried to live like one.
There's 4 gentleman of the name OF
Harlow here?' asked the hostler.
''Patience's heart gave throb. GAY, =
said her father, what of him?"
''Only that he was at our house night
afore last, and when he went in the
morning left these here things behind.
The master thought I'd best bring EN-
over. as they might be of valley. Here
:hey be-"
.'Stephen at the Half Moon! Non
SENSE said Farmer Blackthorn, But
that's Ills pocket-book. sure enough
eh. Patierce? You ought to know. Ay
; and here's letters in it, Mr.. S. Har-
low. That's mighty queer. What
should he be sleeping for at the Hall
Moon instead of home?"
That's more than l know of, your
/ honor. He took bed, and next morn
ing he was off afoOt, and that's all
| know. Shall leave the things or take
'em away?"
No. Leave 'em. He'll be here by
and by. Go and get some ale; and
here's something for your ride" Farm
er Blackthorn pocket held just a shil-
ling, anc II went 1T once into the host
ler's palm. And it was unlucky for the
hostler that the pocket had not held
two. Patience said he. when the
lad had gone into the kitchen for his
ale, this is queer. Stephen putting up
at house like the Half Moon, within i,
stones throw, two nights ago. Do you
know what it means?"
No." said she. Business, sup
pose"
But Farmer Blackburn knew what
business" too often means only too
well. He had been young, and he
was Dicks father Business be-
hanged. Do you mean to say you We
heard nothing of him all this while?'
mo, father. But
{" But be hanged, too. I like to I'M
derstand everything; and | will. A low
er's quarrel-eh?'
Father! Quarrel with Stephen-I"'
"And gone off afoOt, and never come
home. Holloa-what' this?" he asked,
examining the pocket-book, from which
half-open letter fluttered to the
ground. Yes; l must read it; l will.
A precious thing-to let a thing like
that stand betwixt my only girl and a
man. if he were Prince OF Wales. MY
darling-I will meet you at Your
own loving Kate.' 4 love-letter, and a
hot one, too. All. Master Stephen-I'E
look bit further before I've DONE
For shame, fathern' cried she
Give me the book-the letter. 1t is
his; not ours -"
"Not ours? Then whosr Is it, if you
please? No; I will not give you the
letter. It's mine Nobody's but mine
mine and a viper's. Patience; viper )
like the one that stung the man that
warmed him, in the tale. And that's
the man | thought bettet than Dick,
poor lad-no; not poor lad. Patience
never let me hear you name Dick again!
But Dick, hang him, never made love
to one girl while he carried another's
letter neM his heart. that III swear
That comes of thinking the son of
drunken black could change his
spots-Tll never think so a second time,
as sure as my names Tom Blackthorn.
Never you mind, my lass. | never did
think him fit for you. Put him out of
your mind. As for his money-who
wants his money? And as for him
there; thank the chance that's found
him out. Never you worry about a
blackguard, my lass. I've got a stick
that'll fit his back to T, and I'll GO
over to MarriSh for another loan"
With that other letter burning in her
Docket-where was the trust now?
Why, in her heart of hearts where else
should it be ?
He will come - father, he aDiI
GOMEZ" was all she could cry.
But the days passed. and the weeks.
and Stephen Harlow never came home.