The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-25

take no credit to myself for being
different. That I am the happier of
the two"
"Of piece with the restr' inter-
rupted Stephen, with contemptuous
laugh. at would be giving the lie to
your professions if you failed to remind
ME that you occupy the sunny side of
the road"
&" No, no." cried the doctor, remorse-
fully, catching the subtle taunt con-
veyed in the reproach. Il had no such
meaning in my mind, believe me.
What l meant to express was SYM
patty for you; but l am the veriest
bungler! Not that l give you right
either; you are as wrong as wrong
headed nan can possibly be. Here is
your young friend" indicating Will
lam Fairfeld-'engaged to be married
to the sweetest girl in Devonshire--"
Stephen Winkworth interrupted him
again.
I" The cweetest because she has a
fair face"
The sweetest" said Doctor Bax,
warmly, ''because she is good and
pure. Suppose William Fairfield
thought as you do, A pretty kettle of
fish that would be! Aud nice ideas
yours are to carry about with one at
Christmas-time! l declare seriously,
| am sorry for you"
1T is true, then. that YOU are going
to marry Reuben Harrild's daughter"
said Stephen, turning to the young
farmer. You love her frantically, of
course?"
Il love her as she deserves to be
loved" was the simple reply.
''Tricked by her pretty FACET sneered
Stephen. Take care that your doll
does not deceive you! Watch her;
never let her out of your sight! But be
as wary as you may, she is no true
woman if she do not play you false"
''Do not answer him, William" said
the doctor, checking the hot reply that
rose TO the young mans lips. HE
does not know what he is saying; he,
of all others, should not doubt the
purity OF woman'S love"
''Lover' exclaimed Stephen, with
sudden passion; "a fiction! sham! a
deluSiOn! 1t is bought and sold. Be-
lieve in it, trust in it, center all the ear
ncstness of Your soul Oh it; and wake
up one day from your dream and see
your idol defaced, dishonored, lying at
your feetn'
mo. no." said Doctor Bax, earnestly.
''He does not mean it, William. Do
not believe that he means it. He
knows that it is no delusion-he knows
that it is all good and molly. Why,
William, think of his daughter"
Hush, man, for Gods sake! Do not
let her hear yOu!'
AS Stephen, thus imploring, cast a
frightened glance at the window above,
the white face of the girl disappeared.
Neither he nor his companions had
been conscious of its presence there.
Dear. dear!" said Doctor Bax, as
he and William walked away: "what
an unfortunate inheritance has fallen
to that mans lot! Come, VIII, let's
have 4 race to the house. Whoever
gets there first has first kiss from
Laura"
Off they set, running as fast as their
legs would carry them, toward Marley
combe Lodge, where they arrived in a
state of laughing breathlessness.
Meanwhile, Stephen Winkworth, with
the same bitter feelings at his heart,
stood watching their departing forms,
without thought in unison with the
sacred peacefulness of the evening.
The shadows deepened, and the reflec-
ton Of the dying suns couch of fire
grew darker and darker every moment,
and as the night stole on Stephen 5
mood kept pace with its increasing
somberness. But a wave of gentler
feeling passed over his face at the
sound of low, plaintive voice from
the house.
.'Father,"
"My childr' said Stephen. in tone
so strangely soft and sweet that it was
hard to believe it proceeded from
the man who had within the last few
minutes converSed with such harsh
ness.
He turned to 90 in, but to his side
had crept a figure SO wan, so pitiful,
that unaccustomed eyes looking upon
it for the first time would have filled
with grief at the unhappy sight.
A girl, dwarfed and missnapen,
with face on which poignant grief
had so firmly set its seal that an eX-
preston of gladness upon it seemed
almost an impossibility. A girl scarce
ly eighteen years of age, humpbacked
and deformed, and with little of the
grace of youth about her to denote
that she was in the springtime of life.
One mark of comeliness was hers
her hair, which was soft and golden
but as it lay against her CHASTITY skin,
it seemed to mock her with its beauty.
As the man looked down upon her
crippled form, shudder of remorse
passed through him, and he stopped to
press his cheeks to hers caressingly.
Well, my LASS" he cried, with an
attempt at Observation-Disclosures, we
must make ourselves fine tonight.
Reuben Harrild's house will be filled
with gay company, to welcome Christ
mas forsooth! As though Christmas
could not GO on well enough without
their tomfOoleryi"
Nothing but sigh answered him for
q time. Presently:
- Father" said the girl, 81 wish
you would not speak so lightly of
Christmas. 1t is the only holiday we
have in all the year. 1t is a good
timer'
. No time is good for me while see
you thus" said he. with deep emo
ton, as he smoothed the hair from her
face. Il have no holiday while you
are suffering"
Yes" she answered. dreamily, 1T
is wearisome. wearisome. But / am not
quite unhappy, father. 1t can not last
forever. | sometimes feel contented with
my pain when l think of by and by;
and Christmas seems to belong to it.
1t is good season"
Il could think so. child, if 1 saw
ynn as | see others eninNinr the time