The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-01
A SLIP OF PAPER.
The Part It Played in a Case Of
Circumstantial Evidence.

CircumStantldl Evidence.
go, dear, I am so tired" murmured Katie
Runway, as she sank into the comfortable
car seat. 81 don't think had an idea how
tired 1 was until gave up," she went on,
10 herself. 81 don't think / could have
taught another day. 1t just makes me sick
TO think of the number of times have said
one-two-three-fou during the last year.
Horrid little wretches! l wish / had
banged their heads against the wall while
] had a chance-but there, Pm growing
enthusiastic to say the least" and she
checked herself with something between
q hystericsl sigh and sob, as she re-
fected with satisfaction that for six long
months she need not count any more.
She had truly come to the end of her
tether by the time the sweet, warm June
days came round, and her kindly physician
had given her the choice between giving
up her work now and building up for the
future, or continuing little longer, only
to sink into confirmed invalidism, to be a
burden 10 her friends and public charity.
Frightened at her own state, and firmly be-
leving the wise words said to her, she had
concluded at last to accept an invitation
given n long ago to come and spend any
length Of time with her dear friend Madge
Wharton, now Mrs. Jack Wilding. 1t had
been agreed, therefore, that this poor and
proud young woman should go down to
Madge's country home and assist her in
entertaining her guests.
''For YOU know, Katie DEAR" Mrs. Wild
ing had written, with my hands full of
twins, (and never neglect my babies, no
matter what turns up), and all the compa-
ny dear Jack does have in the summer, and
all,the company have invited myself for
week or two weeks at time, such an
amiable individual as yourself at my finger
ends will be an immense help, to say moth
ing of the relief you'll be. l consider your
ill-health my especial blessing, however
unpleasant it may be for you"
The result of all this was, Katie had given
up her rooms, packed her belongings in her
two trunks, sent back the rented piano,
and now, as 1 began to relate, was seated
in the cars for Engleside. That wasn't
the name of the town, by the way, that was
only the name of the country-seat. But if
is as good a name as any.
So she settled herself comfortably, and as
soon as the conductor had punched her
ticket for the third time in fifteen minutes,
and she knew that she was to have immu-
nifty from his oppressive attentions for a
half hours run, she proceeded to take a
nap. Waking up in time for the fourth
punch, she found herself much refreshed
and prepared to take some notes of things
round her for some sketches she meant to
make for an obscure daily, to which she
contributed at times.
Growing tired Of this occupation, she laid
her pencil in her lap, and sat idly tapping
0 R1o .rr-ith hor- foot hor 4
lily out of the window. Slipping her fingers
down the crack at the end of the seat she
came in contact with piece Of paper.
AS it takes but little to arouse ones
curiosity when there is but little of vital
interest at hand, she went through some
little maneuvering to secure the morsel of
paper. On it was the legend: 81 would like
TO become better acquainted" A scornful
smile curved her lips as she said to her
self, "some fool of a girl or ether has been
trying to get up fiirtation' (for the writ
ing was evidently feminiRe) and with con-
tempt in her heart for the woman who
could so far forget herself, she threw the
paper out Of the open window.
Another hour and she was safely
ensconced in Madge Wilding's pretty 'sblue
room" of which, no matter what happened
or who came, she was to be queen as long
as she remained. And to the weary over
taxed girl, the pretty room, in all its simple
elegance, for Madge had too much tact to
cypress poor guest with too much dis
play, was a treat in itself.
'sNow, Jack" that small woman was saw
ing as Katie came into the dining-room to
dinner, "behold, my prime minister
Bring on your companyl Now that have
q right hand man (or woman, rather,) I
don't care much what you do"
',All right, Mrs. Madame. If you have
reached that reckless state in regard to
my actions, l shall Immediately 60 back to
six cigars day."
''No, sir-three. Three is what you are
allowed and shall soon cut you down to
two if YOU don't behave yourself"
''You see, Miss Katie, how Pm abused. "
sighed the martyred man, as his wife
grasped his hair in her small fist sOnce
upon time was weak enough to promise
my wife that In the matter of smoking /
would be guided by her, as she got sone
wild idea, through some old poke of doc
tor, thati it wasn't good for me. So prom
ised to try to stop it and being"
''Being thoroughly out and out gentle
man, he has kept his promise like a man,
even though he did make the promise to
nobody but his wife," interrupted Madge,
softly, the tender light shining in her eyes,
proving what gentleman" she had al
ways found her liege lord Jack said ''Non-
seuse!" but the answering light in his face
was sweet, indeed, to the wife of five years.
standing. This week of quiet was spent by
Katie in resting and playing with the twins,
while Madge and Jack planned no end of
delightful possibilities for the coming four
months, at the end of which time it was
decided that Katie and the twins were to
keep house, while Ma and Pa Wilding
went on their annual wedding-trip of a
month, a ceremony with which nothing had
ever been allowed to interfere.
',Did you know Spencer Sherwood had
come back from California;