Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-24

tinued.
Quite well. but a little cross" said
Florence, bending over the ''porringer; as
she called it. Il hope goa are not cross, Mr..
Nicklepod!"
The smile deepened about the girls mouth
as she wondered what must have been her
expression of countenance when giving ut
terance to these words. She felt it to be
the most designing speech of her life.
''Cross with you!" protested the old man.
gallantiy; impossible. can't believe the
Judge is ever cross, Blossom; but if he is,
you can run right away ID my house any
time, and you shall have any thing you
want as long as you live"
Il seem TO be travelling by lightning ex-
press. and on the locomotive at that" sad
the mink, soto poce. But what would papa
dos" she asked of the trumpet.
"You will be leaving him some time, l
suppose, Blossom!''
Yes, in about fifty years." said the girl
10 herself.
And YOU see, child" Mr. Nicklepod went
on, lit would be very handy for your pa II
he only had TO come next door to see YOU"
Il never thought of that" said Fiossie:
land | guess III come" she said aloud. and
then 10 herself; Il wish l dared ask him
how long he thinks he is going to live"
I've a good mind to take you at your
word. Blossom. I'm pretty old man, but
hearty yet. and there is one thing haven't
forgot, and that's how TO treat women folks.
I'm a very lonesome old duffer, too, with all
my money, child.
The back gate would be real convenient
for papa, wouldn't it:' said FlOssie into the
trumpet. and in a tone which was just on
H., hot aTsA,s 4
Jack come iu:' was the next thought, and
now the sob was softly shattered, and the
April tears fell in binding mist.
Blossom, what's the matte :" said the
old man, with real concern. 1T can't be
possible that the judge has really been
cross enough to make you cry:'
80. no. indeed.'' said Flossie. 81 was
thinking how nice it would be to have all
the flowers l wanted"
"You could have had those at any time"
was the somewhat disconnected response.
eyes, Mr. Nicklepod''-Flossie was deter
mined to be honest even in the hour OF her
greatest deceit-''and all the money"
The scanned and wrinkled face took on a
grave expression, and the old head shook a
little at the mention of this word.
Money isn't every thing, Blossom" he
or keep the rheumatism out of my knees, or
the loneliness from my heart But you
shall have money. Now go and tell John to
cut all the flowers you want, and then run
home and tell your pa of my offer. think
YOU had both better come IN and take din
ner with me tonight, and Well talk it all
| over"
He doesn't act particularly hilarious,
to Sh turned
away. But I'm engaged, anyway-plighted
| to an octOgenarian, or a centurian, or some
thing of that kind. Jack'll hate me, of
course; but when he finds have done it for
his sake he'll have to relent. If l don't have
| but a million, that will be better than
scraping and twisting for years to save five
thousand dollars. Papa always said that
riches would be very becoming to me. Poor
papa, Poor jack"
When the Judge returned to his home,
about three O'Clock that afternoon, he was
much surprised to find his daughter reclin-
ing upon the library-lounge with her head
tied up.
What's the matter, FIosSie! What is il
smells so.''
Vinegar, papa. I've had Mysteries, and
| this is the reaction"
Il hope you are not getting cranky, and
weak, and nervous, like the girl of the
| period, Floss
II am not getting any thing, papa; I've
got-Tye got all l want, and more than
want: and nothing that want I've got
old Mr.. Nicklepod and his ear-trumpet fol
my future husband, papa, and there's mil
lions in it; but whereof, where is jack
For moment the judge stood as if petri
| fed, and then burst into perfect torrent OF
laughter At this point the vinegar band
age was discarded, and the prospective mil
| lionairess came to sitting position.
isn't it funny! Isn't it vsry funny?" she
remarked. with flashing eyes. But you are
responsible for it, with your talk about five
| thousand dollars. ! went deliberately into
| Mr.. Niclllepod's. and made him propose u
me. | was bound to settle it to-day. AnC
now, papa, will you break the news TO Jack
We are to dine with the ear-trumpet to
night, and then ersu,a parties and dances
with Jack so handsome and lovely in hi:
! full-iress suit, and enter long-sleeveC
gowns and old age without ears"
| you'll have ears enough for both" sait
| the Judge. They seem to have grown
! longer since morning"
But. papa, Mr.. Nicklepod is certainly
over eighty, isn't he"'
''Flossie. what have You been DOING"
Truly, papa. just what said. o, dea
me- how my head aches. Mercy! how N!
heart aches.''
Upon my word I thought better o
! Nicklepod." said the judge to himsel
awhile afterwards. But pity the man
Young, old or middle-aged-who gets IN.
Floss" and then the judge laughed again
| though there was touch of something be
sides merriment in his heart
That evening the millionaire was at hi
best. Carefully dressed and ''valeted," a
Flossie remarked. he looked much younge
than when in his garden or on the street.
Good for forty years. ] should say, Floss,
whispered the judge. wickediy.
''He is real handsome" was the astonish
ing reply, land l shall live to be proud o
! him"
81 suppose Blossom ms told YOU of on
compact Mr.. Nicllleroi began, when a
dessert, the servants having left the dining
room.
The Judge nodded. the ear-trumpet bein:
on Flossie's side.
Are YOU agreed!" was the next direc
question put by the old gentleman.
Nod up and down." said Flossie. Don
you dare do it sideways"
The Judge reached for the trumpet an
yelled into it:
Well talk about that later"
Every WELL" said Mr. Nicklepod; 81 an
as told Blossom, an old man, and perhsp
not very good company: but know how t
treat women folks-let 'em have thei
liberty, and give them plenty of money
eh!' and now the millionaire's face wa
fairly radiant.
That ought to be satisfactory" said tn
Judge; ''oat there are those who woul
abuse such broad privileges-and one Q