The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-04

| ef as Uue WlDu swept bN. III LAu-tF -
| was indeed church-like, and IN moonlight
| it was weird as the woods about Camelot
1t was here that Alice Burleigh had be-
| taken herself that sunny September alter
noon, aud thither had George, much to her
discomfort, followed her. His boyish gab-
bic distracted her thoughts from the high
romantic subjects of which at that time
she considered much, and his unsympathiz-
ing practicality Jared upon her customary
mood. Therefore it was only with IN
creased annoyance that an exclamation
from her brother directed her attention to
a figure seen indistinctly making its way
along the avenue of tree trunks at little
distance.
Mr.. Chiffon! Mr.. Chilton,' cried the
irrepressible youth, hailing the advent Of
a more congenial companion. "How many
have you caught:"
Hush, George" said Alice. "Don't call
any gentleman here"
"But it's Mr.. Chiffon, and he's been fish
ing. You know Mr.. Chiffon first rate"
persisted the boy.
The angler had advanced until too near
10 either feign ignorance or to make a
graceful retreat. The salutatiOnS were
somewhat awkward ca his part, a trliie
cold on the other, when George interrupted
the formal exchange:
"We're just going to the house, Mr..
Chiffon; amt we, Alice? And l wish
you'd let ma carry your fish for you. You
can take Alice's book, or she can put it in
the basket"
Chiffon had recovered his self f-possession
enough to realize that if his rival was soon
to appear on the scene, fortune had not
done him an i'll turn 3y bringing him into
the field of action, even in wet clothes: and
he set himself to make the most of it, call
ing in all his resources for agreeable con-
versatiOa. But Miss Burleigh was in one
a mnO1S N WhnSA lance
Chiffon cOnceitedly attributed his re-
lection, and her responses were not en-
cOuraging.
Il suppose it was very gay here earlier
in the season." at length ventured her
companion. ''When left, all the town
had returned, with reports of excursions
by day and hops by night"
Eyes, it was quite lively ct some of the
houses; but mother prefers quiet, and |
really don't care much for such things"
replied Alice, adding, with an air as if the
gravity of hundred years of worldly ex
perience rested on her young spirits, Il
don't find society very satisfying as we
have it at these resorts"
"And so you come ont for the best of all
good company-yOurself and solitRde.
Well, can't disagree with you. But you
see you are not safe even when YOa take
sanctuary in the Cathedral. Society fol-
lows you, even in wet boots; and no won
der"
"Please don't make it personal, Mr..
Chiffon" said Alice, annoyed that she
should have led the talk along in that
channel "All nv frienIs know how feel
on this subject. What do not find in So
ciety is a high and earnest purpose, a
knightlinesS, and true elevation of spirit
which | feel confident would make them
selves evident in the face and form as well
as in the mind of the people who had
them"
"iSdna mems in corpora SdnO," murmured
the young man, quietly amused at this
girlish rhapsody.
There is nothing ideally good or great"
went on the young woman, now fairly
on her hobby. SIT is all common
place and dull. The girls have their little
sentiments, the women have their dress
and their children, and the men have their
tireSOme and vulgar business. They make
money and they grow bald. There is no
in it anywhere. One of King
Arthur's knights would be laughed at in
our society, but true woman would wor-
ship him."
''This is the very place where one of
these knights ought to be found, if any
where" said Chiffon, anxious to make a
diversion. "How his chargers hoofs
would crush these yellow ferns. But armor
would be uncomfortable wear in fighting
the dragons of these days"
"You don't understand me-" replied
Alice, with touch of haughtiness in her
tone. II could recognize a knight in blue
flannel or broadcloth.'
Here the path led them out toward the
road, from which George was seen running
with excitement.
81 told you he was coming, Alice. Now
hope mother will be satisfied, and get
ready to go home"
"Who is coming:" asked Alice, little
nervOusly.
"Why, Mr.. Lanlton-Arthur Lankton:
and he just drove by in one of the teams
from FOskitt's. Come along quick, and you
will see him."
They met at the supper table. Lankton
was a fine fellow, physically and mentally,
a model of elegance both in action and re-
pose. His manner was faultleSS and i'm
pressive; and whether he was listening to
Mrs. Burleigh'S talk of her symptoms, or
was interjecting remarks in Alica'S fluent
on more aesthetic subjects, his
tone aud his air indicated the most intense
sympathy. Chiffon recognized him as a
dangerous companion where the peace of
mind of a romantic young girl was con-
cerned, especially since the first two days
developed al evident preference and at
traction between the two: while Mrs. Bur-
leigh had the satisfaction, which does not
always come to match-makerS, of seeing
her work prosper under her hands from the
start. Chiffon saw that, while he had
doubtless won the esteem and measure of
the confidence of the girl who had rejected
his warmer advances, the brilliant Lank
ton had already fascinated her. and know
ing the man to be in some sort a moral
sham, he was by no means content.
One morning, at the end of the first week
of his stay, coming down to a late break
fast, Chiffon found the Burleigh family,
with Lankton in attendance, already
l-,I
to an ascent of Weehausett, and the young
lawyer was asked, with more or less cordi-
ality, according to the individual, to make
one OF the party. He excused himself. and
sat down to a solitary meal; in the course
of which, revolving all the circumstances
in his mind, he decided that his interests,
if he had any, would perhaps be better
served by remaining near Alice for the
short time that was left, not leaving the
field to the enemy. 1t was not too late to
reconsider. There would be delay in
changing from carriage to saddle at the
foot of the mountain, and he could walk
there in time to join them or horseback.
brisk tramp of a few miles brought the
young man to the station where guides and
horses were taken for the ascent. But
with the exception of Mrs. Burleigh, who
was comfortably ensconced in the farm
house parlor, her courage having failed at
the last moment, none of the party was
visible. The rest were already on their
way up the great slopes of the mountain.
and had taken the last horse from the
stable with them.
There was nothing left for him but a
days climbing on his own account, whether
or not fortune brought him into the society
of his friends. So, cutting a stout staff,
he set out with a swinging step up the
bridle-path. He passed the cold spring,
near which was the fresh imprint of little
boot in the moist earth, telling that here
Alice had diSmounted, and perhaps drank
from the very tin dipper which Chiffon, on
the chance of it, put reverently to his own
lips. he passed on and upward into the