The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-23
ter of it, and wrung it with sudden

| AlgOr.
Il don't smoke here" said the host;
''but I've got little den upstairs. We
shan't be any the less comfortable if we
have a cigar and glass of wine, shall
WEI" The guest laughed-a merry
peal-and rubbed his hands. Come
this way. Mir. Bassett, and leave your
hat in the hall
Mr.. Bassett left his hat in the hall and
followed the yOungster upstairs with a
Iauntv step. He felt almost as if he were
treading the floors of his own ancestral
home. Surely, if the girl could see the
house young Weatherley lived in she
would have too much wisdom to refuse
him. 1t was. certainly, a splendid
chance for any young woman.
Young Weatherley' notion of glass
of wine seemed liberal. In answer to
his orders the butler set upon the table
bottle of Burgundy and bottle of
champagne, together with decanterS
holding port and sherry.
They're all good, Mr.. Bassett,"
said young Weatherley, land you
can't make a mistake amongst EN-
The cellars known all over the coun-
ty."
Call me Mont, dear boy" said Mr..
Bassett. in sudden glow of friendship.
Il hate the formal Mister
Again slight air of doubt crossed
the hosts face.
I'll call you Bassett." he said, by
way of compromise. Try a weed.
They're first-rate, and they've been in
| the house three Years. The governor
was a Judge of what was good. Now,
look hera-you'l use Your influence,
won't you?'
Il discern in you, dear boy" said
the tragedian, drawing OFF the brand-new
| kid gloves and pausing to blow into
them, lest they should wrinkle-'I dis
Germ in you qualities which / am per-
suaded would make a woman happy.
! But your attachment seems to meek
cuse a fathers anxiety, dear boy-of
very rapid growth"
mo, it isnt't, Mr.. -- no, it isn't
Bassett You remember that night
when you took me to the house dinner
at the Cannibal Club, when | called
on you rext day. That's twelve
months ago to-day, isn't it, since l saw
her first? That isn't sudden, is it, Bas-
sett? And Eve proved that | was in
earnest, haven't l? Why, I've travelled
more than two thousand miles, and
! I've seen YOU in CoriOlanuS and Mae
beth and Hamlet, till I'm Shakespeare
sick, Just 10 have an eXuse to call on
you. Haven't l now?"
This was not altogether compliment
ary to the eminent tragedian. But,
| like father, he bore it for his daugh-
ter's sake, and nodded in reply. with
| gloomy action of the eyebrows, which
seemed TO indicate knowledge of the
! hell it is in sIing long to bide.
! Now. you'll use your influence,
won't YOU, Bassett?" asked young
! Weatberley again Mr.. Bassett having
executed an extremely solemn shake
| hand, nodded in silence, emptied his
! champaign glass, and resumed his seat.
| The cigars were asSuredly excellent,
! and the wine realized his Hottest eXpec-
, tations. The tragedian rather Dragged
of his Judgment in the matter of wines,
! not altogether without reason. and he
/ thought what pity it would be if his
daughters refusal of an advantageous
match should shut him out from a
! house in which was kept so praise
worthy cellar. The appointments of
the little room We're really luxurious.
In the faSt-fading light which yet lin
/ gered. the guest could see the grounds
OF the Grange, their trim gardens, wan
| dering walks and lofty trees. And who
! on earth-he asked himself-was Jack
/ Camerson. that he should stand between
him and partnership in all these Joys
and splendors? He began to dislike
! Jack actively.
You won't allow her to throw her
| self away on that fellow. will you now,
/ BaSsett:" demanded the host. Per-
haps, though he was not a young man
of very keen perceptions, he had an idea
of the direction in which the tragedian 5
| thoughts We're travelling. Mr.. Bassett
sighed.
The female neart. dear boy" he an
swered, despondingIy, the female
/ heart"
No: but look here, Bassett," said
| Mr.. Weatherley, doesn't it stand to
reason, now, that I'm a better match
| for herr"
Compared with him, dear boy" re-
/ sponded Mr.. BasSett, your excellence
sticks fiery off indeed. He is no more
/ like to YOU than to Hercules
And he hasn't got such a position
to offer her. has he. Bassett?'
He has not, indeed replied the
| tragedian. sadly-''he has not, indeed. >
Mr.. Weatherley. in his nervousness,
made considerable assaults upon the
Burgundy; and Mr. Bassett, in his APP
probation of its qualities, made prog
ress with the champagne.
I'll tell You what, Bassett." said Mr..
Weatherley, by and by. That's the
last glass in the bottle. and shall have
had enough. And now I'll have it out
with you. III make you a PROPOSE
! ton.
"A moment" said Mr.. Bassett
Port is a warmer vintage than cham
payne. Your Pomery-Greno is excel
lent, dear boy, but it leaves a chill
within. A little port will act as cor
receive. Good wine is good familiar
creature" The great tragedian's nose
had assumed warmer tone. and his
voice was deeper and mellower than
ever.
Il say" said Mr.. Weatherley, dog
matically, THAT I've got a proposition.
Listen me. If marry int your family.
l don't marry you's well, do l. Ba>-
sett?" Mr.. Bassett paused in the act
of raising his wine-glass to his lips. and
! there was an air of some discontinue
about him.
Now, do 1, Bassett?" demanded.
Mr.. Weatherley.
Certainly not. dear boy" said Mr..
BaSsett. with outward heartiness.