The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-22

All faIr ana beautiful women were
alike; the love of one man can not
suffice; they trick and lie to their
lovers faces, and laugh at them be-
hind their backs. In what way did his
manhood call upon him to act? To 60
TO Laura, and proclaim her shame in
the midst of her gay company, and
then fling her from him forever?
Should he in this way openly dis
grace her? No, he would watch first;
this night he would play the spy upon
her, and satisfy himself if Stephens
words were true. If they were, and
if at midnight this false girl met her
lover secretly, why, then
But he could think no further. A
dozen times his thoughts carried him
to this point, and there he stopped,
dazed and confused. He glanced at
Stephen Winkworth. Was it possible
that he should ever grow ike this
man-hated by and hating all? Love
had made the word beautiful to him;
if love were false, in what or whom
could he believer"
IF love were falsei Was not the
proof strong enough? Already in his
heart, loves pure spirit was defiled.
Oh" he groaned, clenching his
hands in agony, " oh, Laura, Laurai
How could you thus deceive me?'
He had judged her. Weak as he was,
he had condemned her. The first wills
per of unfaithfulness. 1t mattered not
from what lips-had been to him a
proof of her guilt.
R,t no would 1-ofoh fopiobt To
this, amidst much confused wandering,
his mind was settled; and, so resolved,
he moved mechanically toward the
house.
Don't grieve too much, my lad"
said Stephen, as he walked by Will
lam side; ''she is not worth it. 1t is
hard to bear, but it is better now than
after"
BE silent!' exclaimed William,
modify. you have told me tonight
that which may blast my life
Yes; this man had poisoned the well
which had sweetened his existence.
This man had made him doubt.
He met Laura in the passage. I'm
easy at his long absence. she had been
looking for him about the house, never
thinking that he had been out in the
cold night for such a length of time.
Her face lighted up gladly as she
stepped toward him. Could he not see
that there only purity and innocence
dwelt? Could he not look into her
truthful eyes and see the reflex of her
stainless soul?
No. Doubt and jealousy had blinded
him. Maddened by what he had heard,
he pushed rudely by her, and then,
with sudden remorse, stopped and
kissed her, despising himself the next
moment for the impulsive tenderness.
She drove back the tears that had
wellcd into her eyes, and, laying her
head timidIy upon his shoulder, nestled
fondly to him.
Il have missed you ever so long"
she said, sweetly. land poor Alice has
been asking after you so anXiOusly,
that she must have been afraid you
were lost"
Laura" he said, with a fierce pas
sion in his voice, do you love me?"
You brighten me, William, replied
the girl, shrinking timidly from him.
He observed the action, and miscon-
strued it.
answer me-" he said sternly; "do
not shrink from ME, or evade my ques-
ton! You know 1 love you, do you
nOt?''
Yes, William"
Every harsh word he spoke to her
wounded him as though it were dag
gers point. He was conscious of the
suffering he was inflicting upon her by
his own pain in the infliction, but he
set his teeth close, and did not finch.
"You know how perfectly l love
you, Laura. You know the hold you
have upon my heart. You know that
| had better be dead than live in the
belief that YOU loved me, and discover
too late that had been deceived. You
know this, do YOU not? Answer me"
81 believe it." she answered, with
trembling lips.
And now answer me again" he
said, solemnly; "do you love me?"
Eyes. William" she replied, with
an appealing look.
Honestly, purely, without deceit?"
Indeed, indeed, it is so! Oh, Will
lam, what change has come over
you?"
Did this content him? No. The
doubts that haunted him were phan-
toms that played about every word she
and bore it to his sense with
distorted meaning. What had Stephen
told him? In another mans arms but
an hour agone! Shame, shame!
Il suppose" he said, with quiet
bitterness, sit is the usual way in
which girls answer their lovers"
"William, Williamr' she cried, her
sobs now breaking into paroxysm.
He was frenzied with love and jeal-
ousy. but he could not be entirely in
different to her emotion. That she
was false and he had proof in words,
but not yet in deed. He would wait for
this confirmation. and then would de-
eide how to act In this spirit he strove
to sooth her; and although she was al
most heart-broken, her sweet, loving
nature conquered, making excuses for
his altered mood, and after a time she
looked up through her tears and
smiled.
Reuben Harrild's Christmas parties
always broke up early. Some of the
had far TO &c, and the
had to be taken in cOnsidera-
ton. Upon the stroke of ten, his guests
prepared to trudge or to be driven to
their respective homes. The evening
had been a pleasant one, and each one
wished his neighbor a merry Christmas
and happy New Year. Even the
Woys and Wymers, thawed into geni-
atty, shook hands cordially with all
sorts of people; and as for Doctor Bax,
there was not a person in the company
who did not behave as though he were
in a raging thirst, and mistook the lit
tie doctor for pump!
1.-THE annoyance of it is" said DR..