Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-11-29

way. and tnen he wanted GO apOfoglze 70
Rev. Putter for his hasty uttersnce. In
short no brought every reason for his at
tendance except the zeal one. And this
was that having an expensive upright
piano which she could not play; Mrs Brown
always included Francie, who sang and
played dlvineiy, in her invitations to those
informal gatherings"
Mr.. Blake did not appear as usual at
supper. The monotsnous tread of slip
pered feet pacing back and forth in his
room and the strong smell of tobacco
smoke, which drifted through the tran
SON would seem to indicate an abortive
attempt at drowning his SORROWS in the
OVERLOOKING bowl of his meerschaum.
Most rooms exhibit certain character
istics of their occupants. Thus, Mrs. Theo
dosia Browns might be described in a
word-showy. There was cert;-n gar
ishness of color everywhere visible. from
the deliberately framed oil paintings
against their background of heavily gilt
paper, to the portiere and insidei curtains
and figured silk upholstery Of the furni-
ture.
But it all looked very cheerful and
pleasant in the su5dued glow from the
gas chandeliers to the eyes of the dozen or
more invited guests on the Thanksgiving
evening of which l write At least so
they all remarked as a sort Of opening
chorus, and we all know that what every
one says must be perfectly true
The menagerie was, generally speaking,
in a somnolent condition. The pet alli-
gator, relegated to the small ante room out
of consideration to Mr.. Putter's feelings,
was presumably dormant in his box. The
Angora cat slept contentedly on Turk sh
rug before an open CRATE of glow ng an
thracite The parrot slumbered-or pre-
tended to-in his swinging perch in the
big bay window. One of the pugs snored
on a corner cushion. The whereabouts of
the other was made known directly after
the entrance of Rev. MIR. Putter.
Being nearsighted he had not seen that
the canine was occupying the newest easy
chair, into VIII CHI the reverend gentleman
dropped heavily, to spring lightly and
hastily up with a short, sharp shrek that
was drowned in ear-piercing yelps.
But even this agreeable incident which
convulsed several of the worldlings pres
ent with secret but unseemly laughter
failed to chase the gloom from the brow
of young Mr. Blake. In vain Mrs. Brown
equally vain were the attempts of Miss
Dasher, very decollete young woman, to
lure him to her side With an air of
Byronic melancholy that closely re Iembled
sullenness. he stood afar off following
with his eyes every movement of pretty
Francie, to whom, on entering, he had
vouchsafed the most formal of bows.
Indeed, so marked had been his GOODNESS,
Wh xra
tional, had asked, with gentle surprise in
the depths of her dark eyes:
Have l done any thing to offend you,
Mr. Blake?"
sit isn't what you have done, but what
you haven't" he answered, rather bitter
ly. And his eyes had rested SO strangely
on her little lace pin at her throat that
involuntarily, Francie put up her slim
hand TO see if any thing was wro2g there
81 do not understand you," Francie had
simply answered And as poor Blake, full
of jealous bitterness, forbore to explain,
Francie drew herself up rather proudly
and walked away
But is it tn that gives the simple touch
of pain to her marvellous contralto voice
which a few moments later thrills the
listeners, as
-'u7der the artists flying hand
The white keys rise-the white keys fall"
Hank
~ am tired-heart and feet
Turn from busy mart and street
am tlred-rest Is sweet.
lam tired. Loss and gain.
Golden sheaves and scattered grain,
Hath the day not passed in vain"
II do not feel in the mood for singing TO-
night" she said, somewhat abruptly, ris
ing as she spoke, to be at once taken pos
session of by young Golden, to Blake's in
ward wrath and despair. And then, in a
reaction of reckless defiance, Dick began
flirting fast and furious with Mrs. Theo-
dosia Brown, who, resplendent in old gold
and diamonds, was but too ready to re-
spond to such marked advances.
And while Francie and Dick thus played
at cross purposes the evening wore on in
the usual way. The guests talked little
scandal, considerable gossip, and between
ruboers of whist introduced enough liter
airy conversation to give the correct tone TO
the occas on, till the entrance of the colored
waiter with q tray on which were glasses
Of egg nogg.
Even Rev Mr. Putter considered that a
mild potation of this kind was allowable
On Thanksgiving eve, and accepted the
agreeable beverage with cheerful smile.
1t was perhaps a trifle unfortunate that
be Oh anced to take his place, goblet in
hand. directly under the swinging perch
Of the observant parrot, who just then was
very wide awake.
For as Mr.. Putter, elevating the goblet
and clearing his throat, was about 6o--er-
propose toast, the wretched bird. cock
ing his head downward and fixing his hard,
lnwinking eye with infinite meaning upon
Mr.. Putter, remarked sepulchrally:
{" Let up pray.n
Of course only wrong minded people,
given TO unseemly levity, would see any
thing to laugh at in this, which was per-
haps the reason that such a general chorus
Of severe coughing followed the injudicious
while number of faces were
averted. Old Bynner, 1t is true,
shouted "Haw! haw!'' and young Golden
grew purple to his ear tips with sup
pressed mirth. but these two didn't count
1t was Dick Blake who, coming 10 the
rescue of his embarrassed hostess, tried
49,
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