The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-08

I
| 1I,e n.,t set Gus N vivid and striking
narrative the disaster which had be-
! fallen the valued artist-correspondent
OF the GrGDhi~, and the second de
manied NJ William Cassi.lv's instant
acc ptauce or refusal of the post Va
| Gated by Cameron : disablemcnt Coo
mel Spra que, b1ing now liberated from
other Europ an engagements, was him
! self upon the spot to superlntend the
verbal horrors and splendorS. and Cas-
sidy had been growing in his hearing
for five months past about not having
| had a chance to see campaign. The
| Colonel knew no other man so likely TO
/ suit him. and, since action had to be
prompt, had dispatched his message
without losing a moment
Upon receipt thereof, Mr.. Cassidy,
who was sitting disconsOlate before
| blank canvas, and cudgeling his brains
| for an ..oydaya," leaped fer sudden
| JOY, and betook himself to the perform
ance of energetic juggling tricks with
the water bottle. Wire" so run the
message, acceptance or rejection OF
post as artist at the seat of war for Tel
vile GrdDhic. If acceptance. draw at
!
| Cameron disabled" The first hurried
| glance at the telegram had revealed its
main purport, and had thrown Cassidy
| into the seventh heaven. A second look
| showed the Ominous last words, and
| they brought him down again. Their
vagueness gave them terrOrS tor the
| Lrishman's friendly heart; and he start
ed for Maid4 Vale with his original eX-
uitation altogether chilled. He must
see Horace and Matilda before ne could
accept the Coloners offer.
Now Mr.. Montgomery Bassett's
weekly allowance to his daughter had
ceased some three months before this
date, and by this time Mr.. Bassett was
! beginning himself to be sorely in need
OF an allowance, and his whereabouts
were unknown 20 Mary and to Leverett.
But while it lasted his weekly payment
| had been generous enough to allow
! the girl to live on less than half of it,
and she was still provided for, though
the future began to look Little blank
and diScouraging. She lived on with
the Leverett>, without adding greatly to
the expenses of the eaSy-going house
hold; and Leycrctt of an evening would
declare to Mrs Leverett, when his mod
crate evening glass had warmed his
heart, that he was not the man to want
to make money out OF an orphan, and
that As long as Mary paid him what
she cost him he was happy. Perhaps,
he would add, he might contrive TO
! bear uD even Little longer thal that,
and. indeed, the good fellow would
reYer have taken Il penny but for the
satisfaction of the girls own honorable
pride. Mary and Matilda were seated
| together when Cassidy broke in upon
them.
Matilda" he said, lugubriously.
1--WE the foinest chance of maxim
money v ever heard Of in your loife,
and l hope We wont stand IN betune
me and good fortune
"William." returned Matilda. 'you
know shouldn dream of such thing"
Very well, then" said William.
I'm off toni ght for the Turkish cam
paigs"
no, no. no, William" cried Miss
Ievcrett. wildly rising and embracing
him.
Now, there v are" said Cassidy.
I'VE won't stand in betune us and We
will stand in betune us. 1e woUldn' t
dream of il in one lrea,h and We do it
in the next Now, Matilda. darlin',
listen to reason. I'll be comm home
in no tine with Il thousand pounds in
me poe lct.
Enter Leverett in paint-spotted vel
veteen.
What brings YOU here at this tim
of day? Eth? With q light like thi
YOU ought to be at work. Bill" Gas
sidy explained. That's diileren
matter. Of course you'll go. Non
sense, Matilda OF course he'll 20.
Who's it for, Bill?'
'.lt's the Telville Daily GRAPHIC, "
said Cassidy.
''Do they want two men? suppose
you'll be going into Asian'
Il don't know" said Cassidy.
There the telegram"
All said Lee erett taking the pa
per mumblingly: '.Wire acceptance or
reieceion-art st seat of war-Telyille
GrdEhic Draw-LondOn Bureau-start
Immediately. Cameron"
Cassidy quietly took away the paper.
and the two men looked at each other
lOI Il iDcIC lilNld!li
''AIay | see the telegram. Mr.. Cas-
sidy?" asked Mary, rising and advanc-
ing.
"Well- We see-Miss Bassett," he
began. stammeringly. she took it
from his unreS sting hand ard read it
and returned it. Her face, always too
raild in these melancholy days. grew
paler still, but she walked from the
room quietly and with self-poss session.
- hope there's nothing serious, sale
Leverett
There's no knowing" answered
Cassidy. lie may be down with bit
ben thrown from his horse, or have
done nothing worse than sprain his
wrist. He couldn't draw with
spra ned wrist. Or he may be badly
hurf. though We'll try to hope not
Hush" said Leverett, and at that
instant Mary returned.
Mr. Cassidy" she began. Twill yor
dispatch a telegram 10 your friend.
Colonel SpragUe. and ask the extent
of the injury?" She held out her purse
to him.
No" said Cassidy, putting her hand
aside. Il won't want that, hut I'll
wire, and I'll have the answer sent
here because I'll be starting ro-ngh
It's goodbye. Ma Ida. me darlln' bat
only for little VIII lie.
Miss Leverett with the cheering as
surance that he WAS gong TO certa'r
death, hade him farewell. and retired
TO her own chamber t. prepare fol-
widOwhood. Leverett walked out will
/ him