The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-19

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our house the next winter. l thought
it must be she, when you described
her."
Ralph Calender paused and gazed
rcfectively at the ground. He was re-
calling that gay holiday season when
Rose Porter and his sister were the
bellies of their set. He could have
counted his friends by the hundred,
and now Poverty does make
a difference" he thought, bitter
IL. All who had it in their power to
aid him had turned the cold shoulder.
He was simply poor man seeking en-
ployment. and he felt at odds with the
world. Rhetta, grown suddenly shy.
pulled away the dead leaves from a
pink root and said nothing. Newport.
Nahant! And people like the Porters
for intimate friends! 1t seemed 20 re-
move Ralph far from her quiet, even
life. and to set him where she had no
part
, Tie basket phaeton was now seen
returning down the street with its
pretty occupant, who stopped her ponies
opposite the cottage with such an evil
dent intention to speak to Ralph Cal
lender that he at once went ont OF the
garden anil stood in the road at her
side. Rhetta saw them shake hands in
the most friendly manner, heard Roses
musical laughter and sweet voice.
though she could not distinguish the
words: and in a few moments more, to
her surprise. Ralph stepped into the
phacton, sat down by Rose, took the
reinS in his hands. and drove rapidly
away, with a backward glance and
smile, which to Rhctta seemed to say:
''She is an old friend, yoI seer'
Bat when he did not come home to
dinner she thought it strange. Her
father and Aunt DOrcaS made no COM
mcnt. for Ralph had often been absent
ut that hour when seeking for employ
ment Rhetta did not M ention that he
drove away with Rose Porter, but
neighbor, who had watched them,
came in during the afternoon and spoke
of it with great interest. Aunt DorcaS
at once felt great interest too, and
Rhetta found it so trying to listen to
their remarks and surmiSeS that she
slipped out of the house to her garden,
and did hard wedding in her flower
beds for two hours without spar.ng her
self. But she heard every step that
passed by on the sidewalk, and knew
that Ralph Calender did not come. |
The afternoon waned rcStleSSly away. |
He would surely come back by supper
time; and Rhetta. in a fresh gown,
with pansieS ut her belt, hummed little |
songs as she moved about setting the |
table for Aunt Dorcas.
Il wouldn't put on that dish of
honey" said Aunt Doreas-"not till |
you see whether he's coming"
go. he'll come,' said Rhetta: but she |
stopped singing.
Mr. Wood came in, washed his face
and hands at the sink. and sat down in
his place at the table. Aunt Dorcas
pa 'set him cup of tea.
where's Calender" he asked, |
looking around.
WHY, haven't You heard?" said |
Aunt DOrcas ''He drove off with Rose
Porter. and we haven't caught sigat of
him since"
1.-The Porters are old friends of his"
said Rhetta, flushing up.
Hum! hum!' muttered her father,
Is he drank his tea from the saucer, in
which he had cooled it.
Aunt DOrcas now questioned the girl
Is to all she knew about this old friend
hip and ut the close said, with an air
If one who meant to do her duty by all.
10 matter how mercilessly. swell.
ike as not they'll make a match of it.
Birds of a feather flock together"
Supper was over. cleared away. and
Ill the dishes washed. but still Ralph
calender did not come. As it grew
lark, Mr.. Wood strolled off to chat
With the neighbors. and Aunt Dorcas.
putting on her bonnet and black silk
shawl, went to the weekly prayermeet-
ng. Rhetta, left free from comment.
vent up into her little garden, and
eaned against the plum-tree. with 4
strange dull pain gnawing at her heart.
1t seemed like days and weeks since
Ralph drove away with SIN ling, pretty
Rose Porter. And she herself hal be-
yun to think of him as somehow her
own. That very morning, under that
very tree. there hal been in his looks
and in his tone touches of tenderness
that had filled her heart with subtle
happiness. But now it was all over;
IN an instant she had lost him. Rose
Porter had taken him away, and though
he might come back. he would never,
never be the same Ralph again. She
felt girlish certainty of thG'. The
little bright dream was over. At first
she did not blame Rose. Very prob
l.. Il, l.. L.,
md had been influenced to give him up
on account of his poverty, and now,
regrctting the step had come to reclaim
him.
"Well, L can take my turn, and give
him up too thought Rhetta. with
great hot tears springing to her eyes.
Only 1 can never drive after him and
bring him back in phaetOn.
And at that she threw herself upon
he dewy grass and wept unrestrainad-
y. She WAS too young to be capable
Of the terrible, fearless sorrow with
which an older woman NAV meet be-
and heart -break. She only
knew that every thing had changed
since morning. that Ralph had gone
away, and she was very. vrrg wretched.
md that no one must know of ii. The
ire-feS flashed in the grass. the flow
,rs were heavy with dew. the air was
uH OF the fragrance of ignonettes
leliotrope and roses, blt Rhctta did
lot heel them. She only felt that
hight was kind to make such dark /
hess and solitude in the garden that no
me colld see her or hear her. poor
little Rhetta Wood, crying for
/ lost happiness that had never reallg
,een hers. And now it seemed to her
has Rose was cruel. from the midst of
Ter wealth, her luxury, and her dozens :,