Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-06-07
Certainly"

lor him, and II she Goes not, she shall, WILL
bring it about 1 warrant"
True to her purpose on visiting her old
friend, my wife led the conversation to Rev.
Hardy, and found that Mrs. Gettenbergh
was laboring under a total misrepresentation
of the cause Of his departure from her nota-
bic house.
Il liked him much" she said, quite
frankly, land was surprised and grieved
that he should go away so abruptly. There
is certain restraint over Us wherever we
meet, which can not account for. but l
often think it is because he learned from
some one, that had deceived him regarding
my relations. meant no HARM" she said,
with sudden burst of tears, ''Out he is so
honest and above board himself that he
| might not excuse my silence about such an
event. have so wished TO explain it to him
but he mover gives me the slightest oppor-
tunity"
My wife's offer was then made to her, and
with great gladness she accepted it, not
knowing who were to be her fellow voy-
ayers, but because of her love for my wife
! and her desire to have the benefit Of this
| rest and change.
The days passed BY swiftly. Mrs Getten-
| bergh was ready before the appointed time,
and my wife put to her this test She told
| her, in matter of course way, the day be-
| fore we sailed. that Mr. Hardy was to be q
fellow voyager.
SIN fact he is, bolieve, al old college
chum of my husbands"
She looked distressed.
81 thought it best to tel you at once"
said my wife, ''but OF course, it can make
no difference 70 you"
"Not unless he cares. l should be sorry
if spoiled his pleasure" she said nerv-
ously''
"a fig for his pleasure" said my wife.
''We will let nothing spoil ours"
But l had not dared to reveal to him my
| treachery. He did not see her until we were
out several days. Perhaps she parpoSeiy
| avoided him. But one morning she sat on
deck with my wife. He was sauGtering
along in one of his meditatiye moods, past
| the groups of people, when, stopping to say
''Good morning to my wife, his eyes fell
upon her companion, who arose with some
| timiiity to greet him.
1t was hard ordeal, bat he displayed re-
markable self-possession. l felt proud OF
him.
Had she not been greatly pre-occupied she
would have seen his more than common in
terest in her, but hers was one of those
charmingly unselish natures that never
suppose the elements OF attractiveness to
to be inherent in themselves. After very
short conversation he disappeared. l found
him few moments afterward below,
whittier had followed him.
'.How could you do this, John''
''Do what!'
"Way, bring US together again after had
almost fought it out OF my heart. The bat
- all - Iaa I
that my first thought was positive and I'M
bounded delight for two weeks of unayoid-
able companioaship, but how is life to be
made endurable after that!'
told him then that She turned out to be an
old friend OF my wife's, and was travelling
in our company. t-.
'Tnen that accounts for her speaking to
me at all" he groaned. Il had observed
| long ago that she tried to avoid me, but
hero am forced upon her against her will. "
He said this bitterly, turning u little away
from me.
''See here, Hardy, said, taking him By
the shoulders and turning him fair about,
| ''beggng your ministerial pardon, you are
too innocent to live. Why can you not
Horror-struck, he turned upon me withou!
giving me time to finish my sentence
$40 you forget my duty. and her own tc
her husbanl:" he asked, angrilv.
Did You ever see her husband" asked
meelIly.
mo; but what difference does that make
Shout be less true to nv brother whom
have not seen than 20 him whom l have
secnr'
Who ever told you that she possessed
that a2pendaye called huSband!'
He looked into my eyes, and his own be
gan to dilate.
''They said"
'sWho said!" Tie idea had never entered
his monks cowl to question the truth OF
They said.''
had the pleasure of telling him then hel
history from beginning to end, and of watch
ing the changes that fitted over his eX
pressive face. and when l ended my story
by the words: And Julius, it is my belief
that she loves YOU" what did the dear boy
do but fall on his knees then and there
dragging me perforce, along with him. and
THANK the Lord" never felt quite sc
near Heaven in my life before.
Now, see here Old fellow" said, though
the tears were in my eyes as we arose
You are all wrong. You have thanked the
wrong party. You ought to have thanked
mer'
Our lives are in His hand" he said, with
solemn gladness; but nevertheless he threw
an arm about my neck and gave me broth
er's embrace.
There was wedding in Liverpool, a de
/ lightful summer of travel, a winter OF
pleasant Interchange of visits; and now
Dick, invite you, on my good wifa's motion
10 dine with us tomorrow and meet an old
friend of college days-a TRANSFORMED man
-JedHic Olive Smith, in Current.