The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-08

intent!y through the window, what is
that outside! There! Do you not see
it mOTing?"
twas the shadow OF 4 man, lurking
about the house. Laura's heart sunk
within her, and she turned as white as
the falling snow.
Evidently some sAulker," said Will
lam: In 90 out and seewho it is"
NO, no, William" implored Laura,
clinging to his arm, do not go! beg,
| implore YOU, do not gOr'
My little wife that is to be-" he
said, gazing at her in tender concern,
this Is the second time tonight you
have startled me without cause. 1t is
right | should see who that man is; if
he is in want can relieve him; if he is
here for no good purpose, must get
rid of him. He'll no: hurt me, dear"
NO, no, no"' she exclaimed, with
strange earnestness, still clinging to
his arm; you shall not, you must not,
go. And sect is gone. 1t was only
a shadow, after all. We have been
standing here away from the lights SO
long that we have grown fanciful."
Leaving him, she walked into the
room toward Alice Winkworth.
Many of the guests gazed at the con-
trastprcsented by these two girls. One,
1.-the, supple, graceful, pleasant-lOoking;
the other, deformed, MANNED and sick
~. 4 world of tenderness was ex-
pressed in Laura's face as she leaned
over Alice's chair.
~ am glad you are here, Alice. You
are looking so well!'
Il am as well as / ever hope to be"
returned Alice, sadly, but with no sign
of petulance.
Laura smoothed Alice's hair with an
afcctionate and tender hand, and Sc
Letting 4 flower and some green leaves
from vase, arranged them tastefuliy
among the bright curls.
You have the most beautiful hair,
dear. You should always wear flowers
in it."
Alice took the kindly hand and softly
pressed it.
William sent me 10 you, Alice"
Yes said Alice, eagerly.
He wants you to come and sit by
the window"
A glad light passed into the sick girls
face as she rose and walked with Laura
toward the curtained recess. Before
they reached Laura whispered, with an
air of anxiety:
"Will you do me favor, Alice?"
"Oh yes, if / can"
Il have something to do which will
take me away from the room for few
minutes. Sit and talk with William
until come back. | shall not be gone
long"
Alice nodded acquiascently, but not
without surpriSe-mOre from the nerv-
Gus, anxious manner in which the request
wasmadc than from the request itself
They entered the recess, ard with Il
smile at her lover Laura led Alice to
his side and turned to leave.
Where are You going, Laura?" asked
William.
81 must attend to the guests, VIII;
shall be back presently.
William was not satisfied. With the
usual selishness of lovers, he begrudged
every moment that Laura devoted to
others. But the deformed girl was gaz-
ing wistfully at him, and his nature
was too considerable to treat her with
Indifference. Seating himself BY her
side at the window he saw for the sec
ond time the shadow of a man lurking
about the house.
by heavensw he muttereG, there
it is AGAIN.
For a moment he thought of ran
ming out into the white plain and ac-
costing the man, but he was restrained
by the reflection that Laura might be
veXed with him for doing so.
Other eyes than his We're fixed upon
the falling snow. Reuben Harrild had
left his guests for while to their own
devices. and had retired to his study,
where he sat gazing dreamily out of
the window. Old memories were pass
ing through his mind, causing him to
look older than he was. Some lives.
filled with vain strivings and mental
are prolific of wrinkles;
others, free from those wild storms
which are too frequently self-created,
scarcely raise a furrow on the face.
Too often, alas! are the pages of life
blotted with tears: and Memory. as she
scans the record, lives over again, with
bitter breyity, the shedding of each
tear. Around Reuben Harrild lowered |
the ghosts of past JOYS and grief-Ovar-
Swallowed all by one pale spectre whose |
presence raised frowns upon |
his face and shame and sadness within |
his heart. Nor was mis- gloom dispelled !
by the appearance of the child whose
pure spirit shed the light of happiness
upon his life and home. He drew her |
to his knee, and with her head pillow
ed upon his shoulder, they sat for a
brief space in silent communion.
did YOU come to seek me. Laura"
be asked.
eyes, father
81 shall lose You soon, dear child. !
Doctor BaX asked me tonight what | |
should do without YOU. do not know;
shall b. like n lost man. But | must |
not repine. 1t is the way Of iife-to
owe and lose"'
You will not lose me. father Our !
home Will be yours, and we can live to-
sether always if YOU wish. Do not
peak so sadly. Ii we love and lose
memory remains"
Remains to stab u.s." he replied,
with a shiver. .to bring shame and sor-
'ow to us to the last day of our lives"
She was too well acquainted with his
mood to continue the theme. and she
trove to lead him to gentler thoughts,
With so much love and tenderness as to
partially succeed. Pressing his lips to
Ter cheek he said, fondly:
You are ike your mother. child
She never failed to win me back to
1T is good to hear that. Father, l
10 so wish could be brave and speak
o YOU what is in my mind"
You may say what you please, dear
hid. on every subject"