The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-06

upon the stand, and entering the dark.
ened side room from which he had
emerged at the sound of Jack Gamer.
on's voice, struck a match. lit the gas,
and pulled down the window blind.
Next he took a decanter of whisky from
a cupboard, and, having twice filled
and drained a wine glass, drew cigar
case from his breast pocket and began
to smoke. He was not at ease, and the
pallor of his face had taken an un,
wholesome tinge.
The lad hit you hard, Mont" be
said to himself, in de ,p murmur. "A
sensitive nature like your own is unfit
for that sort of work 1t woald have
been easier to leave him to his dreams,
but the duties of a father are not 10 be
sighted for the sake OF any little friend
II sentiment. Now, Mont, 90 and see
your little gyurl."
He was SO nervous and so i'll at ease
that he filled and drained the wine
glass again before he Obeyed his self
imposed command. When he had put
away the decanter and locked the cup
board, he began to sing in his ponder
Gus tones a snatch of stage song:
q" Then let me the canakin clnk. boys, clink,
Then let me the canakin clink;
For he : but span. and soldier man
So then let soldier drink, boys, drink,
so then let Il soldier drink.
1t may or may not have struck him.
as he went upstairs, that song OF
Iago S was too appropriate to the cir
cumstanceS. He stopped short in his
chant, just as he had begun it for a Sec
Ond time, and mounted in silence. At
the door of back room on the second
floor he paused for a few seconds, and
then Knocked.
Come in," said a girls voice
"hay come in?" asked the ira
gedian, with massive playfulness, as he
opened the door little. His face was
CHASTITY.
Not unless you are good and hand
some" said the voice, with a laugh.
Il am hideous and a monument OF
vice." replied the tragedian.
''Oh, pray come in, in that case, -
said the voice. merrily. A light step
crossed the room, and the fingers of a
small white hand were laid on the edge
of the door. Mr.. BaSsett held the han
die and there was a little playful strug-
gle, in the course of which the father
composed his fea ures, until feeling him.
self presentable he allowed the door to
yield, and, entering suddenly, en-
braced his daughter in both arms and
kissed her on both cheeks.
Mary Bassett was a pretty girl, as has
been said already. and, unless her eyes
were more deceptive than even the eyes
of young women are apt to be, she was
as good as she was pretty. She looked
good, emphatically. Her nose was
piGuant and saucy and sensible, while
her lips were very mobile and full of
feeling. Her chin was resolute without
being unfeminine. Her eyes-deceptive
or undeceptive-lOoked like absolute
honesty. They were of so dark a gray
that by gas-light they looked almost
black, unless yOu were closer to them
than a young man under ordinary cir
cumstances would have Il right to be.
Then, according to Jack Cameron, they
were of an infinite soft depth, and
lighter in tone than they looked when
seen from a distance. 1t had been no.
ticed, by the same authority, that
though she was not tall, being five fest
four or Whereabouts, she had way IN
moments of dignified anger of looking
six feet at least. If it is added that her
complexion was of singular dalicacy
of bloom and purity of pallor. tie de-
scrIption will be complete enough to
leave the reader in the DARK as to her
aspect, which is about as mach as can
be expected of any description of a
pretty woman.
One thing was clear. If she had the
wreckage of any young mans peace
upon her conscience, she bore it with
wonderful equanimity.
My darling" said her father. sitting
down with his back to the light, and
pulling for moment rather 1iercely at
his cigar, Il have been to the club this
evening to look for letters. | saw
somebody there, and learned a tritle in
the way of news"
Indeed" said the girl. standing at
the table and playing with a bit of lace
there. She blusned little rs he spoke.
And Us consequence, " he went on,
Il want you to write letter."
'Yes?' she said. looking up with a
puzzled face, as if she thought her first
fancy mistaken one. ITO whom?"
ITO Mr.. John Cameron" said the
If his voice shook some
what. the girl did not notice it.
'Why?' she asked, with a blush
more vivid than before.
Asking him." said Mr.. BasSett, with
occasional pauseS between the words
each pause occupied by pull at the
call upon you and me in his
visit to Southampton for
the arrangement of matters of which,
as l am informed, you and he alike are
cognIzant. believe him to be thor
oughly good young man. my dear. and
| am rejoiced at his choice and proud
of yours"
His voice shook noticeablv now. and
the girl observed it. What was love-
lier than that fat er'S heart should be
moved little at the beginning of
parting from his only child? She sole
gently to him. and put an arm about
his neck, and nestled to him with a
kiss.
Have you seen Jack tonight,
papa?" she asked, TREMENDOUSLY.
is it Jack already?" asked Mr..
BasSett. with shakr gayety. She an
Swered with a half-tearful laugh.
=" 1t has been Jack for month
past"
al have seen him tonight said
the tragedian, more shakily and huski-
~ than ever. He has made a formal
for your hand. and | have
accepted il, contingently on your own
acceptance, of course. We shall be in
Southampton tomorrow at the old ST.
dress. and he follows-to paint a per
raft thereon Wednesday. l prom
sed that you should write and ask him
10 call upOn us there. and that von