Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-20

until he returned, unsuccessful, hopeless
and exhausted in the evening. Mallory
never guessed this, and she herself did
without absolute necessaries, silently, and
with accomplishing cheerfulness. II was a
terrible time for them both; perhaps it was
hardest on Jim, for he had not Marjory's
elastic, hopeful nature, her happy, almost
childlike faith and trust that things would
be better by and by. He felt, too, that he
had brought her to this life of poverty and
privation, which he seemed so powerless to
avert; and as he thought Of the future
grim and black, and uncheered by any CLEAN
of hope-his heart sickened AMI died within
him.
In September they moved out Of their
pretty home to a very small and dingy cot
tage which stoed alone, little way back
from a side street, behind timber yard. 1t
was not an attractive dwelling, but it was
very cheap, and the rent of their former
house was now out of the question. To de-
fray the various inevitable expenses con-
nected with the removal, and one or two
other necessary OUTLAWS, they sold some of
their furniture and few other things be-
sides
Mariory's jewelry had all gone long ago.
One day, in walking westward along
Fleet street, Carol met an old fellow-clerk
by name Archie Lyle.
Hello, Carrol!' Lyle exclaimed, grasp
ing the formers hand heartily and turning
to walk alongside. How are youl Haven't
seen you for month of Sundays. Why,
you look down in the mouth, old man,
What's up, ehl''
Nothing particular" replied the other
coldly enough, except that l have been out
I 8
Inspecting public buildings-when you have
wife and child to keep on nothing-is not
particularly exhilarating or lively occupa-
| tion," he continued bitterly.
by Jove, mop said the other in serious
tones. He was good-natured, easy-going
fellow, who had rarely known the want of
a tive-pound note, and who, as rule, had
only to sit still and let things come to him.
Pm awfully sorry, old fellow" he went
on, awkwardly. "You know I'll never for
get the lift you gave me two years ago. Pm
| awfully sorry he continued, with less tact
than good nature; upon my soul, l don't
know when was so hard up as L am this
month. Until get my next"
''Confound you! What are you talking
| about!' interrupted Carol haughtily. DO
you take me for beggari"
Lyle murmured some confused apology.
Il don't want your money! Carol went
on in brusque tones. "Can you tell me of
any thing can get to dol Any thing. am
not proud" with short laugh.
The other cogitated, then shook his head.
by the way" he aid suddenly, when
| they had crossed several streets in compare
tive silence, ''you are good draughtsmau,
are you notl You have a good idea of plans
and that?"
81 ought to have" returned Carol,
dryly, seeing that have been clerk in
an architects Office for the last three
years"
'Ah, yes, to be sure. Well, know de-
signs are wanted for new hospital some
where near Manchester The premium is a
hundred pounds. Now"
For Gods sake, tell me, ;" interrupted the
other eagerly and hoarsely, ''do you think
have any chance"
"Well," said Lyle, 81 was going to have
try. My father has an idea 1 ought to dis
tinguish myself in that line; but Pm an aw
full duffer on plans-always was. So, if you
care to go in for tits a goodish premium
it might be worth your while. And, by
the way, Carol, don't sign your own name;
for | believe old Linton, your wife's uncle,
is to be one of the judges. He is still no end
down on you; and-it might make differ
ence. See. Sign i-oh, any thing you
like, and send it under cover to me. You
can trust me not to father it, he added,
laughing. Jpn send you all the particulars
tomorrow, and let you know whenever the
things decided"
Lyle, can not thank you sufficiently"
said Carroll unsteadily. though 1 fear
there is very little chance for me-"
you've as good a chance as any of the
rest"
How soon must it go inl'' asked Carol
feverishly
"Ah, let's see-I think in a fortnight
but I'll let you know"
They were in the Strand by this time,
and Lyle stopped at the nearest restaurant,
for 1t was past two O'Clock.
Carol declined his companions invita-
ton TO accompany him, and with grasp of
the hand the two men parted. Jim turned
down a side street, and thence through the
Embankment Gardens to the river. He did
not feel very hopeful, for when the body is
weak, the spirit is apt to be weak too; and
big, stalwart-looking fellow as he was, Car
rol had but little stamina; and the past
months of ceaseless anxiety-and lately, of
almost starvation-had told on him terribly.
He walked slowly along the Embankment,
and across Westminster bridge, and so
home.
Mallory met him with her usual CHEEKY
smile; but he fancied her sweet face was
paler and more worn-looking than ever; and
the baby's eyes-unnaturally large and
bright-seemedt to follow him reproachfuIly.
His wife clapped her little hands ioyfully
when he told her of Lyle's proposal; and she
was so merry and hopeful all evening that
Jim felt his spirits rise. She prepared
nice little supper for him, too; and Jim did
notnotice-fOr Wonderland one or two
of their cherished books had disappeared.
Baby was very good tonight, she did not
cry at all; and the evening was the most
cheerful they had passed for some time.
In the evening OF the following day came
the promised letter from Lyle, and as soon
as it was light next morning Carol began
his task. He worked hard and patiently,
but he suffered terribly from nervous head
aches; he took even less food than usual, and
the baby's constant monOtonous wall made
him sometimes half crazy.
At last the drawing was finished. Carol
signed it "'Isola,' care Of A. Lyle, ESQ.,"
[as his friend had suggested Marjory
thought it beautiful and had no doubt of its
being successful. But Carol was not so
sanguine. However. he sent it OF at once
and Mariory already began to calculate how
long time must elapse before its fate
would be decided.
1t was weary waiting though; and to Jim
aye, and to Marjory too-the once-dreaded
pawnshop became sadly and painfully famil-
lar. Meanwhile their baby was slowly but
surely fading away from them.
One afternoon Carol returned somewhat
earlier than usual from the city, whittier he