The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-15

7
Brabazon's deposition on oath. Silence.
very awkward silence, reigned for a few
moments, broken only by another sniff
: from Miss Medlar, indicating her dstermin
alton to make short work of it when she
did begin Mrs Bracebridge was on TN,
, point of tears, and Brabszon could see hel
hands trembling as she sat. IL was evident
that the enemy meant him to commence
the action, and he accepted the situation.
Il have come at the very earliest oppor
tunity," he said, addressing himself to
| Mrs. Bracebridge, Ito clear myself OF these
most unfOunded charges which have been
laid against me-"
Mrs. Bracebridge opened her lips. but
only an inarticulate sound, more like a sob
than any thing else, escaped them. Miss
Medlar rustled her papers angrily, and
calculated, ''Impossible!"
Il have not the slightest doubt of being
able to do so soon as | know on what
evidence the charges rest" ne continued,
still addressing Mrs. Bracebridge.
when young officer in the army" in
terpOsed Hiss Medlar, in voice of singular
discordancy, makes presents of all descrip-
tiOns, in a style at once costly and prOfuSe.
20 young female in the lowest grade of
life" Miss Medlar spoke as if poor Lucinda
were rag -picker) there can be no ques-
| ton Of innocence on either side
Pardon me-" said he, sternly, Miss
Medlar has forgotten that l have already
| given that story my most emphatic denial
"A denial which will avail you nothing -
retOrted Miss Medlar.
ALLOW me to know at once on what Your
| assertions rest" said ne, in tone of I'M
mistakeable command.
Il have documents" replied Miss Medlar,
| somewhat shaken by his authoritative
manner, but with a really imposing en-
phaSis on the word documents" (which
prove incontestably that such presents
have passed, as l said, in profusion.r
In my turn, must reply impossible ,"
| said he.
Perhaps said Miss Medlar slowly, and
with whitening emphasis, IF l were to
mention iewery-Say for instance earn
OF Captain Brabazon'S charity to the girl
| Cutler, his memory will improve; my in
! formation isvery full. would advise him
not TO tempt it too far
Il am as much in the dark as ever" ex-
| claimed BrabaZon to Mrs. Bracebridge Il
can only assure you that, so far as l know,
the unfortunate child possesses neither
| locket nor any other jewelry. And pray
recollect,'' he adde1 eagerly, THAT this
| poor young creature, whose character is at
stake much as my own, has positively
been laid up with shattered limb for the
greater part of this winter"
Miss Medlar started. and a look of graft
fed malice passed over her acid features.
''Lsten to that, Nary she said. Now
will you believe what tell you: Captain
quoted to you" Mrs. Bracebridge only
sobbed audibly.
Again, 1 demand your proofs" said
Brabazon, after pause.
81 will even yield the question of the
trinkets." continued Miss Medlar, taking no
notice of the remark, las Captain Bra
bacon may have the hardihood to argue
that there is nothing absolutely convincing
in gifts of that nature, but what will he
dare to say when | tell him that have the
same incontrove-tible evidence to prove
presents of far more compromising kind,
such as no man could possibly provide ex-
cept for one with whom he was contem
plating marriage and the establishment OF
a home Bedding, for instance, and furni-
ture, and, blush to mention it, under
clothing of various descriptions"
If Miss Medlar did blush, she cOntrived to
conceal all outward appearance of that
feminine art, her face exhibiting no more
rOSeate tint than may be seen on the sur
face of bag of lard.
''Ridiculous!' calculated BrabazOn,
moved now to Indignation, yet not with
out a touch of amusement in his tone.
Miss Medlar, some one has been hOaXing
you. Underclothing and furniture What
nonsense! Produce your evidence, and let
us put an end to this abSurdity."
Captain Brabazon is a conSummate ac-
tor" replied Miss Medlar, III a tone which |
plainly suggested the substitution of the |
word liar for the last term; but" and |
here she rose from her chair and stood up |
right, with a look of bitter cOntemptin her |
eyes, and a scream of triumph ill her voice, |
''let him look at that, and then have the au- !
dacity to tell me that he is innocent" And |
she flung paper across the table to where |
he sat.
Brabazon caught it, glanced at it eagerly |
for moment or two as one bewildered, |
while Miss Medar fired volley after volley |
of shifts at him across the table, and then |
!, wan NJ Iflrn oh a "a n a ri nf
laughter that even poor Mrs. Bracebridge |
took heart and smiled family through her |
tears.
My dear Mrs. Bracebridge," said he, |
hardly able to speak for laughter, this is |
the most amusing mistake. But how on |
earth did you get ths!' he added. suddenly |
turning to Miss Medlar. That lady was |
considerably staggered, both by the laugh |
ter and the question.
lit came into my possession" she |
Stammered, glazing angrily at him, and |
feeling curiously snail.
i see it did" he retOrted in a meaning |
tone. 1t is mine; had not missed it."
He admits that it is his said Miss Med |
lar, returning to the charge once again, bat |
with her confidence slightly shaken.
Il do he said most certainly; and all |
these articles were supplied to me, but not |
for the use of Lucinda Cutler, as you sup
pose, but for fittings for a little yacht of |
mine, the Lucy Cutter.
Miss Medlar gave prodigiouS sniff of |
contemptuous disbelief; the man was pre-
varicating.
Had | not torn Off the heading to give to
a friend, you would have seen your mistake
in moment"
Vastly probable" muttered Miss Med
Lar, with fine scorn. ''All these items are,
YOU wish Us to believe, merely fittings for |
the yacht Sheets for example" snapped
Miss Medlar. still full of fight but under
valuing her foe.
just so. you can see they are made of
'Manila;' you never heard of that material
being used for bedding, did you ladies"
And we are to believe that yachts re-
quire earrings, chains and lockets! the
man must think we are fools, retorted
Miss Medlar.
Earrings, yes" he answered; it is a
common nautical term, as also chains,
item is not locket but locker, you will
see, if you look closer; though admit that
it might be better written"
''Thimbles, too! That, no doubt, is an in
diSpenSable requisite on board yacht;
and six or eight tenders, il | recollect right.
Good gracious,; blurted Miss Medlar, his
impudence is actually beyond every
Jhingn'
''Thimbles form part of orr sail gear"
he answered, smiling; land the Tenders are
not the hardware that you think them, but
things to hang over the ships side to pre-
vent chatting"
Miss Medlar looked as if it would take a
considerable number of these articles to
have any effect on her at that moment, and
then another item cropped up in her mind.
Stays" she shrieked. ''Steel stays! no
doubt they also were for the use of the
yacht"
Your intelligence does you great credit
said he: such matters are indispensable |
for the support of the maSts. The mistake |
is really most amusing. l am glad it is |
nothing more serious"
For a moment Miss Medlar was staggered. |
Her attack had been made and had been |
foiled by the crafty and fraudful foe, but |
She catherad hsrSalf Feather for one mnrn /