The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-02-25


Didn't you know him!'
He's got another girl" thought Marcy,
with great throb.
The next Sunday night, coming out of
meeting with Miss Barney, she left her sud
denly. George Elliott was one of waiting
line of young men in the vestibule. She
went straight up to him. He looked at her
in bewilderment, his dark face turning red.
Good evening, Miss Wilson," he STAN
mered out, finally.
'Good-evening," she whispered, and stood
looking up at him piteously. She was white
and trembling.
At last he stepped forward and offered
her his arm suddenly. In spite of his
resentment, he could not put her to open
shame before all his mates, who were star
ing curiously.
When they were out in the dark, cool
street. he bent over her. "Why, Marcy,
what does all this meant"
20, George, let her live with US, please.
I want her to. know Can get along with
her if l try. T.: do everything l can.
Please let her live with u.s."
who's her?'
"Your mother"
"And suppose 1ls is you and II I thought
that was all over, Marcy; amt it!''
20, George, am sorry treated you So"
And are you willing to let mother live
with us nOw!''
'rll do anything. o, George
Don't cry, Marcy. There nobody's
looking-give US kiss. It's been a long
time; 'ain't it dear: so you've made up
your mind that you're willing to let mother
live with us!"
Yes
''Well, 1 don't believe she ever will,
Marcy. She's about made up her mind to
go and live with my brother Edward,
whether or no. So you won't be troubled
with her. dare say she might have been
little of trial as she grew older"
y m
Il thought it was your place to give in,
Yes it was, it was, George
I'm mighty glad you did. I tell you
what it is, dear, l don't know how you've
felt, but I've been pretty miserable lately"
They passed Esther Barney's house and
strOlled along half mile further. When
they returned, and Marcy stole softly into
the house and upstairs it was quite late.
and Esther had gone to bed. Marcy saw
the light was not out i'll her room, so she
peeped in. She could not wait TIL morning
to tell her.
Where have you been! said Esther.
looking up at her out of her pillows.
30, 1 went to walk little way with
George"
Then you've made up!"
Yes
is his mother going to live with you!"
NO; | guess not. She's going to live
with Edward. But told him was willing
she should. I've about made up my mind
it's woman,s place to give in mostly. l
S'poSe you think I'm an awful fool"
mo, don't; no, / don't, Marcy I'm
real glad it's all right betwixt you an
George. I've seen you wern't very happy
lately
They talked little longer; then Marcy
said Goodnight" going over to Esther
and kissing her. Being so rich in love
made her generous with it. She looked
down into the older woman's thin, red
checked face sweetly. Il wish you were as
happy as l." said she. Il wish you and
Mr.. Woodman could make up, too"
That's an entirely different matter |
couldn't give in in such thing as that
Marcy looked at her; she was not subtle,
but she had just come out triumphant
through innocent love and submission, and
used the wisdom which she had gained
thereby.
was to give in the way l did, that he
would"'
Esther started up with an astonished air
That had never occurred To her before.
20, l don't believe he would. You don't
know him: he's awful set Besides, | don't
know but I'm better off the way it is"
In spite of herself, however, She could not
help thinking of Margy's suggestion.
Would he give in. She was hardly disposed
to run the risk. With her peculiar cast of
mind, her feeling for the ludicronS so keen
that 1t almost amounted to special sense,
and her sensitiveneSs to ridicule it would
have been easier for her to have married a
man under the shadow of crime than one
who was the deserving target of gibeS and
jestS. Besides, she told herself, it was posi-
BILE that he had changed his mind, that he
no longer cared for her. How could she
make the first overtures! She had not
Margy's impulsiveness and innocence Of
youth to excuse her.
Also, she was partly influenced by the
reason which she had given Marcy; she
was not so very sure that it would be best
for her to take any such step. She was
more fixed in the peace and pride of her
old maidenhood than she had been in her
young, and more shy of disturbing it. Her
comfortable meals, her tidy housekeeping,
and her prosperous work had become such
sources of satisfaction to her that she was
almost welded to them, and Jealous of any
interference.
So it is doubtful if there would have been
any change in the state of affairs if Marcus
Woodman's mother had not died toward |
spring: Esther was greatly distressed
about it.
Il don't see what Marcus is going to do." |
she told Marcy. He amt any filter to
take care of himself than baby, and he |
won't have any housekeeper, they say"
One evening, after Marcus mother had |
been dead about three weeks, Esther went |
over there. Marcy had gone out to walk |
with George, SO nobody knew. When she
reached the house-a white cottage on |
hHl-She saw light in the kitchen window. |
Hes there" said she. She knocked on |
the door softly. Marcus shuff1ed over to it !
he was in his stocking feet-and opened it. |
Good evening, Marcus" said she, speak
ing first;
Good evening"
Il hadn't anything special to do this even
ing. so l thought I'd lock in a minute and |
see how you are getting along"
Il amt getting along very we'll; but I'm
glad to see you Come right in
When she was seated opposite him by the
kitchen fire, she surveyed him and his sur
pityingly. Everything had an
ablect air of forlornness; there was neither
tidinesS nor comfort. After few words
she rose theoretically. "See here, Marcus"
said she, you jest fill up that tea-kettle,
and I'm going to slick up here little for
you while stay"
Now, Esther, don't feel as if"
Don't you say nothing. Here's the
tea-kettle. l might jest as well be doing
that as sitting still
He watched her as she flew about putting
things to rights in way that made her
was easier than sitting still and gradually
leading up to the object for which she had
come. She kept wondering if she ever
could accomplish it. When the room was
in order, finally, she sat down again, with
a strained-up look in her face.
Marcus said she, Il might as we'll be-
gin. There was something l wanted to say
to YOU tonight"
He looked at her and she went on:
I've been thinking some lately about
how matters used to be betwiXt you an
me, and it's jest possible-I don't know
but l might have been a little more patient
than was. l don't know as I'd feel the
same way now if
20, Esther. what do You meant
Il amt going to tell you. Marcus Wood
man, if you can't find out I've said full
enough; more'n ever thought should"
He was an awkward man, but he rose
Ii Il,