The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-29

|
l ask
Papa, YOU know, is General" she hesi
tated. as II conscious of the imprudence
being so communicative VITA a perfec
stranger, but then, as if inspired by trust
she added General Marine"
''Ah. Then have not the pleasure OF be
ing acquainted with him personally. Yet
think / know his name. Is he not mem
ber of Parliamentf'
Eyes, you are-O, l am sure l hav'
seen you somewhere, or else your photo
graph"
| case from beneath one of his numerou
wraps, opened it. took out his card case
from which be extracted card and handed
| to iSlovely fellow-passenger. She accepted
it with a smile, glancing with feminine
| curiosity at the dreSsing-caSe with its cholc'
and costly contents.
II am going to London for friend:
wedding. "Ah, you are laughing. Yor
gentlemen always say we girls never thinl
of anything but weddings and getting mar
| ried, and all that kind OF thing, continued
Miss Ada, in her lively. chatty way.
We'll, it is a matter to be looked at in q
( serious light" said Rev. Septimus, mix
ture OF rebuke and sympathy in his tones
| The reverend gentleman was pleasantly
aware that his voice was rem. 1rkably
melodious, and he did not at all dislike 70
| hear himself talk, especially to ladies, who
| appreciate these nice points.
Il am in q fright" Miss Ada went on,
because l have papa's wedding present
| here-it is so lovely. | almost wish | was
going to get married myself, to have such
a splendid present. It is necklace. must
| show it to you. because you are so kind.
| and although you are not really n fri3nd OF
papa's | hope you will let MIN thank you
for having taken care OF me when we get
to the station. How long shall we ber'
About twenty minutes now" said the
rector, consulting his gold watch-a gift
| from his parishioners.
"Tnanks-sO much. See;" and the charm
| ing young lady, in that frank, trustful way
evidently natural,to her, ,unfastened a small
mOroccO-leather bag which the rector had
not noticed, and produced from it an OBJ
| long red-leather case. This she opened,
| displaying a superb diamond necklace.
Isn't it Sweet-isn't it lovely" she cried.
with the joyous delight of child handling
new plaything, her eyes sparkling as
bright as the precious stones would scin5il-
late under cleaning lamps.
The rector, to please her, took the case,
and looked at the necklace. He was no
judge of such toys, but seemingly it was Of
rare value.
you must be careful, my dear madam, ;"
he said, returning it to her. There are SO
many thieves about, many of them crafty
and practiced in their evil trade, and that
small bag does not look very safe"
20, nobody will imagine l have it with
me" answered Miss Ada, laughing, care
lessly replacing the case i'll her handbag.
"And papa will be sure to meet me at Crof-
ton-the next station, you know. l do so
wish you knew papa. am sure you would
like one another so much. And am quite
sure you would be delighted with mamma "
The rector laughed. 1t was pleasant to
have found favor in the eyes of so pretty a
II Sh a 81 iy-lU m III finn
OF him
Il feel very highly gratifsd," he said
with a benign smile. The lively prattle
helped to tighten the tedium of the jour
ney, even if 1t led to nothing. And some
times agreeable acquaintances are acci-
dentally met with in the most unexpected
way. Nobody can ever truly prophesy
what may happen. This is an odd jumbled
world of change and surprises, even to those
who step softly over its smoothest places.
The amiable rector was not an imaginative
man, but many thoughts and fancies
capered spOrtively through his brain at this
moment, airy and nimble, perhaps as but
terflies Pickering through summer sunshine
or elm sprlteS dancing idly in the moon
light.
''You think me silly for chattering away
like this" cried Miss Ada. But l really
can't help thinking l must have heard of
you, or seen some portrait Of you some
IL
know what | meant is so hard to explain
But no matter. They all laugh at me for
being so childish and so babyish. As am
the only child, don't you see, l have always
been spoiled
Il can easily imagine that replied tho
Rev. Septimus, with an air of delicate gal
lantry.
"Ah, you are laughing at me like all thu
rest" half pOuted Miss Ada.
Laughing: Dear, dear, DEAR" protested
the reverend gentleman"
Yes, absolutely. But would you mind
telling me the exact time p:edseP l forgot
TO put on my watch, coming away i'll a
hurry" said the charming young lady. Il
nm so impatient to see my friend my dear
Marie. We have so much to talk about"
''No doubt The mental picture con-
jured upon the minds camera of two beau
tiful girls eagerly chatting, cooling, ex-
changing condolences about their lovers,
their dresses, their toys and amnSementS,
was to a certain extent a fascinating Wis
ion. However, he drew out his watch and
named the precise time.
Il am rude enough to admire your
watch" exclaimed Miss Ada in her baby
fashion. The rector feared she was lust a
little addicted to flirting, but it is pardon
able sin if not carried too far He smiled
Yes" he responded. "A gift from my
H.,
said Miss Ada with an upward glance
through her long eyelashes. a valuable
gift am sure"
1T is. believe it is worth from sixty
to eighty guinness" said tae rector with
pardOnable pride in his air and tone.
May / look at it!"
Certainly" He detached it from the
chain and laid it on her little open palm.
1T is very pretty" said Miss Ada, ad-
miringly yet critically. 1T is so like one
Uncle Charles has-Sir Charles Crampton.
Do you know him!''
Il am sorry to say do not" replied the
rector. I'VE shall be at the station now in
seven or eight minutes"
What PITY mean l am so glad"
said the young lady in little confusion,
the prettiest blush conceivable dyeing her
cheeks for moment as she handed the
watch back to the reverend gentleman.
snow, mind you, don't lose that" she
added, shaking her finger at him with the
warning air of some mob-cappsd granny
"Ah. am very careful"
Gentlemen always think that. They
always fancy they are SO clever, and so
we'll prepared against all snares and dan
ger. Is that the station:' she suddenly
asked, excitedly.
Yes" The rector felt mildly regretful:
the pleasant minutes had flown past like a
fash.
Miss Ada claspei her hanis gleefullv.
She seemed very sprite, Puck. an Ariel,
a being not to be easily matched for grace,
beauty, good humor, enchantingly frank
ways|a charming creature even if given
to flirting. But all pretty girls fiirt when
a chance offers, and ugly or even plaip
girls amuse themselves, too, with that
pleasing pastime. The rector sighed.
Should he ever again meet this guileless.
amiabie young womanl May be not And
if not. what matter!
The train rapidly swept into the station.
Miss Ada eagerly, anxiously gazed at the
platform, where another busting, iostline
crowd was scattered.
'Isee papa! and Uncle Charles is with
him-what surprise!'' she cried gaily.
Il don't see my maid. o, Bellamv,
BellamY. how tiresome You ara Rur / am