The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-11

! and l could see that his forehead wa:
wrinkied and that he was slightly bald
| He did not talk much at first, but seemed
to be noticing everything around him WITH
an amused smile on his face. There was
| however, one thing that struck Inc, anC
| that was that whenever Ernest placed hi'
hand on the edge of the board, or on the
| back OF a chair, he always gaZed at II IN
tently, and then slightly frowned, as II
dissatisfied with something. / had alway:
thought Ernest's hands rather nice; they
were whittier aud softer than most mems.
heard DIR. Browne ask Annie Welsh who be
was. and soon after we went in to supper
changing partners at Annie's suggestion
wore mittens. The doctor observed it
and soon l became aware that he was en-
deavOring to make me remove them. He
suggested that the knife and fork might
injure them; also that the room was hot
and that | should be more comfortable
without them. This troubled me; l pre-
ferred to keep my mittens on, and found
myself hiding my hands in my lap as
much as could. He managed to get Ernest
TO pass him good many things, and scru-
tlnized his hands carefully as he did so.
was glad when supper was over and
escaped to the drawing room. The doc
tors earnest investigations oppressed me.
But there was no getting very far away
from him; he followed me, and L saw his
face light up as he noticed the piano.
"You sing, Miss Fox, [ am sure" he said.
'Will you not give US the pleasure"
"I have brought only two songs" /
stammered, "and l have already sung
them"
81 don't believe any one VIII notice if
you repeat one; please do"
81 would much -" But here Mr.. Welsh
came up to say that they were getting up
a game of ''person and thing" would we
play? l consented only too readily, and
the doctor was baffled once more.
Of course, as was unavoidable in Stoke
bourne, there was always super
abundance of ladies at parties, but this
fact was never openly admitted. The
subject was scrupulOusly avoided, and on
occasions when ''person and thing" was
the game selected, 1t was carried out quite
as though there had been an equal supply
of both sexes. Gentleman and lady always
went out together, and when every gentle
man had had his turn, some one suggested
that the amusement should be changed.
Preference was always given TO the older
ladies or more honored guests, so was
not at all surprised to find myself passed
over. To be sure, 1 should have liked to
have gone out with Ernest, but there was
always a sort of innate mOdesty In Stoke
bourne with regard to engaged couples,
and | had feared a tete-a-tete with the
doctor.
Ernest yawned all the way home and
pronounced himself fearfully bored. In
dutiful sympathy 1 also tried to imagine
myself so, but couldn't. 1 kept thinking
of DR.. Brownies expressive face, and
wondering what was passing through his
mind. Ernest's thoughts were evidently
much on the same track.
Sand the worst of all, Trixy," he NUT
tered, "was that confounded doctor, with
his sharp eyes forever taking stock of your
lyai h n q
to boast Of"
The winter wore on. had great many
letters from Ernest and wrote great
many to him. He was getting on splen-
didly, he said, and wrote enthusiastically
about next summer.
NY father was fond of scientific SUBJ
jects, and had struck up quite friendship
with the new doctor, who would often
come over to our house in the evening and
have a chat and a smoke. rarely saw him
unless l happened to come across him as
he passed in or out; he sat in the study
with my father. One evening, however, /
had to go in about tine weekly tradesmen's
books, and found the doctor there. L had
not known he was in the house, or perhaps
should not have ventured near the study.
''Sit down, Trixy, said my father. "Dr.
Browne has been telling me most interest
ing facts with regard to electricity; Pm
sure you would like to hear them also"
l obeyed, and soon forgot my dread of
the man in listening to his grave, sweet
voice as he simply explained many things
hitherto unknown to me. There was a faS-
cnation about him. l watched the large,
firm mouth, deep-set eyes, and short pro-
jecting nose, aud could not find the face so
plain as l had imagined it. He rambled on
and on; L sank down into the recesses of
the arm chair before the fire listening with
all my ears and hardly able to take my
eyes off him. Electricity gave way to
other subjects, all equally interesting, and
all equally well understood by the doctor,
it would appear.
yet intelligent people," he said of the
Egyptians. 81 have picked up many
strange things from them. Do you know
anything of palmsurY, Mr.. Fox"
My father shook his head and felt my
self getting hot
MANY people know a little" he con-
tinued. "There are certain points con-
nected with character to which common
credence is given. 1t is generally ad-
mitted that there are hands whom no one
should trust"
He dropped his voice and his eye-lids as
he spoke, but felt that he was looking at
me, and 1 hid my own hands hurriedly
under my apron.
Ny father rose and went to the book
case OOOh uOWI pdChcO VI
There's something about it in one of
these" he said. "Pve had it for years."
There are a great many systems" re-
sumed the Doctor. "They vary much in
the details, but in the main l believe them
to be the same"
My father stretched out his hand towards
him smiling.
'Can you tell me anything about that:"
he asked.
Its rather old and worn for character"
replied DR.. Browne, land you surely have
no need of a gypsy. At your age, one
would say your fortune was made"
Come, Trixy," exclaimed my father,
''let US hear the sage expound. Put out
your hands"
Miss Fox will suit my purpose to per
fection," said the Doctor, bowling with
mock gallantry. "It is the privilege of an
old bachelor, l believe, to interest himself
in the future welfare of young people
about to take an important step in life At
any rate, it is a special fad of mine. The
sympathy of hands-you understand, Mr..
Fox?D
My father did not understands; he was
totally ignorant of the subject.
81 fancy few people would agree viSn
me-" continued Doctor Browne, b16 l
firmly believe that wider knowledge of
the matter would be of practical utility.
At the same time, ignorance of these signs
saves the dread of approaching dnhappi-
ness; for there always mus be want of
sympathy between people when there ex-
lists an utter dissimilarity IN the funda-
mental formation of their hands 1t is nv
hobby" turning towards me with a grave
smile. 81 fear l anne, ed Mr.. Crofts the
first time we met. IT, was indiscreet, ad-
init; but you were the onlyengaged people
present, were YOU not?"
He stretched out his hand to receive
mine for inspection. l drew back.
Nonsense" Said my father; and 1 was
obliged to obe>.
DR.. Browne took my hsnd. His was a
firm, strong hand, rather fleshy; a some-
what clumsy hand to look at, though the
large fingers were lissom enough. He no.