The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-02-25
A CONFLICT ENDED.
Two Women Regain Their Lovers
by Giving In"

In Acton there were two churches. an Or
thOdOx and Baptist. They stood on op-
pOsite sides of the road, and the Baptist
edifice was little farther down than the
other. On Sunday morning both bells
were ringing. The Baptist bell was
much larger and followed quickly on the
soft peal of the Orthodox with hca9y,
hraZen clang which vibrated a good while.
The people went fioci.ing through the
street to the irregular jangle of the bells
1t was very hot day, and the sun beat
down heavily; parasols were bobbing over
all the ladies' heads.
More people went into the Baptist church.
whose society was much the larger of The
two. Ii had been for the last ten years
ever since the Orthodox had settled a new
minister His advent had divided the
church and good third of the congrega-
tion had gone over to the Baptist brethren.
with whom they still remained.
1t is probable that many of them passed
their old sanctuary to-day with the original
stubborn luminosity active as ever in
their hearts, and led their families up the
Baptist steps with the same strong spiritual
pull of Indignation.
One old lady, who had made herself
prominent on the opposition. trotted by
this morning with the identical wiry vehe-
HeICt WHICH she 03Q manifested Ten wears
ago. She wore full black silk skirt,
which she held up namely in front, aud
allowed to trail in the dust in the rear.
Some of the staunch Orthodox people
glanced at her amuSedly. One fieShy. fair
faced girl III blue muslin said to her COM
panion, with laugh: See that old lady
trailing her best black silk to the Baptist
Amt it ridiculous how she holds on showing
out! heard some one talking about it
yesterday"
YES"
The girl colored up confusedy. 80.
dear'' she thought to herself. The lady
with her had an unpleasant history CON
nected with this old church quarrel. She
was small, bony woman in a shining
purple silk, which was strained very tightly
across her sharp shOulder-blades Her
bonnet was quite elaborate with flowers
and plumes as was also her companions
In fact, she was the village milliner, and
the girl was her apprentice.
When the two went up the church steps,
they passed a man of about fifty. who was
sitting thereon well to one side He had a
singular face-a mild forehead, a gently
curving mouth, and a terrible chin. with a
look of strength in it that might have
in his hand, and the sun was shining full on
his bald head.
The mifliner half stopped, and gave an
anxious glance at him: then passed on. In
the veStlbule she stopped again.
"YOu go right in, Marcy" she said to the
girl. 'I'll be along in a minute
where be you going, Miss Barney"
You go right in. I'll be there in a
minute"
Marcy entered the audience room then,
as fairly brushed in by the imperious
wave of little knOtty hand, and Esther
Barney stood waiting until the rush of en-
tering people was over. Then she stepped
swiftly back to the side of the man seated
on the steps. She spread her large black
parasol deliberately, and extended the
handle toward him.
mo. no, Esther; don't want i'll don't
want it"
IF you're determined on setting out in
this broiling sun, Marcus Woodman. YOU
jest take this parasol of mine an use it,
Il don't want your paraSol, Esther.
u
Don't you say it over again. Take it"
Il won't-not if don't want to-"
you'll get a sun-stroke."
That's my own lookout"
Marcus Woodman, YOU take it"
She threw all the force there was in her
intense, nervous nature in her tone and
look; but she failed in her attempt. because
of the utter difference in quality between
her own will and that with which she had
to deal. They were on so different planes
that hers slid by his with its own moment
UNI; there could be no contact even of an
tagoniSm between them. He sat there
rigid, every line of his face Stiffened into
an icy Obstinacy. She held out the para
sol toward him like a weapon"
Finally she let it drop at her sids, her
whole expression changed.
Marcus, said she, "how's your
mother!"
He started. Pretty well, thank you,
Esther"
''She's out to meeting, thenr'
'Tve been a-thinking-I amt drove jest
now-that may be I'd come over an see her
some day this week"
He rose politely then. ''Wish YOU would.
Esther. Mother'd be real pleased. l know"
We'll, I'll see--WedneSday, p'rhapS. if l
amt too busy must go in now; they're
most through singing"
Esther
q don't believe can stop any longer,
Marcus
About the parasol-thank YOU Jest the
same if don't take it. OF course you know
can't set out here holding aparasol: folks
would laugh. But I'm obliged to YOU all
the same. Hope didn't say anything TO
hurt your feelings!'
90 no. why, no, Marcus. OF course I
don't want to make you take it if you don't
want IT. don't know but it would look
dear! they are through singing
Say, Esther, don't know but might as
well take that parasol, if you'd just as soon.
The sun is pretty hot an might get a
headache. forgot my umbrella, to tell the
truth"
Il might have known better than to have
gone at him the way did, - thought Esther
to herself, when she was seated at last in
the cool church beside Marcy. Seems as
if might have got used to Marcus Wood
man by this time"