The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-01

Iull-'
II am, my son, but there are few things
lett you to learn. and one is that l can al
ways make room for Spencer Sherwood"
Even if you have to turn away some one
else, presume"
Exactly! Even if have to turn away
some one else," replied Madame Madge,
serenely.
'tNice thing for a husband to hear. And
pray how long has this undying, never-to-
be-obliterated-and- all that-sort OF thing al
feCtion for Spencer Sherwood been buried
in your heart"
Ever since we made mud pies together
and he rescued me from the jaws OF an
avenging but long suffering calf which 1
had teased into rebellion"
'My dear, do you mean to assert that that
calf would have eaten you up il Spencer
Sherwood had not played the part Of de-
voted knight"
A ringing laugh was Madge's reply.
'Well, no, hardly. But, Jack, it would
have knocked me down."
''And if recollect the circumstance at
all, Mrs. Wilding, with all due Difference
to womanhood even in pinafores, l must
say it would have served you most un-
common right" and the gentleman under
discussion stepped gaily into the room.
''Hello! old fellow" shouted Jack Wild
ing.
SIT was an awful mean thing, no doubt,
TO be eavesdropping, but indeed l didn't
listen long. Ijust heard enough to permit
ME to recognize the calf. That calf had a
good many fine points and was likely to be
remembered and easily recognized"
Eyes, remember two especially fine
points it had just between its ears"
laughed Mrs. Wilding.
"But, bless mel we're so interested in
you that we have forgotten to introduce
Katie. Miss Rinway-Mr. Sherwood. Now
won't we just have jolly time for the next
two or three days before any one else
comes" ratified on that talkative little
woman, not noticing very peculiar ex-
preston which swept over Sherwood's
face as she introduced him to Miss Rim
way. Jack noticed it, but the utterly un-
conscious expression of Katie's face routed
the notion that had entered his head that
these two had met before.
81 don't think can stay just now" an
swered Sherwood, rather confusedly.
"Well, I'd just like to see you go awayi
Spencer Sherwood; you know perfectly
well there isn't one thing to stand in the
way of your remaining here for the month
Of July, and if there is, it shan't stand"
spoke up the Brigadier General
THAT settles it, my dear boyl Just give
in at once. If you had been married to
that young woman for five years, as have,
you would not even have dared to look OPP
position in the first place"
So Sherwood, with much inward opposi-
tion, was induced to remain.
II tO oil hands
that there was something wrong with him
in regard to Katie Runway, and to none was
it so apparent as to poor Katie herself.
"Whatever have 1 done to the mani"
asked she of herself. "Nothingl never
saw him before, and yet in these three past
days he has managed to impress me most
effectually with the fact OF his strong dis
approval, but as have never pined for the
reverse / don't know as / need care much,
though it is somewhat uncomfortable when
there are but four of US. And one does not
like TO, be disliked for no cause, even if one
doesn't care any thing about it," she added
rather incoherently, it must be confessed.
at certainly is detestable," Sherwood
was saying as she came into the parlor be-
fore dinner one evening.
90, don't know about it's being detest-
able,n answered Jack. s.Of course it isn't
just the thing, you know, fellow wouldn't
like to see his sister engaged in that kind
of thing you know"
'Or his wife," interpolated Spencer.
s'Well / should think not,n answered
Jack, emphatically, "but I don't think they
mean any harm half the time it is only
little thoughtless fun," he added, chari-
tably. "What do you say, Katiel"
'.If knew what you are talking about, l
perhaps would be better able to give an
opinion" laughed Katie, little dreaming
how much hung upon her reply.
'sWe were discussing the subject of pub
lie firtations, street firtations, ETC., and
Jack, here, feels anxious to know your
opinion of any woman who does such
things. / confess myself curious to know,
also"
There was certain meaning tone to his
voice that made Katie regard him quickly
with vague sense of discomfort, but the
expression of his face was inscrutable.
Il agree with Mr.. Sherwood, decidedly"
she answered, scornfully. ANY woman
who could condescend to do such thing is
more than thoughtless."
"Ah, hypocritical as well, ehf" comment
ed Sherwood, mentally.
Though 1 do think that some very young
girls may be led on to such thing by bad
influence, and, as Jack says, the desire for
what they falsely call fun"
''By Jovel she carries it off WELL" again
commented Sherwood, mentally. Then
you think, Miss Runway, that after girl is
eighteen, she is old enough to know bet
teri" he asked, aloud, in calmly, discHrsive
way, under which lurked the ring of cyni-
cism.
''Most assuredly So" replied Katie, in a
tone of such genuine disapprobation that
Sherwood was for moment bewildered.
"Can be mistakenr' he asked himself.
'Isn't she the same girli She must be,
never could be so mistaken"
Just here dinner was announced, and the
subject was dropped. But all through din
ner Sherwood was evidently occupied with
his own thoughts, which were of a very
mixed character, truly.
Dinner over, sudden resolution seized
him. Turning TO Katie, he said:
Il am going into the village, will you not
walk with mer'
Katie's breath was nearly taken away.
but intuition led her to accept So, of they
started, while Jack winked, ives, l am
sorry to record it, but he actually winked)
at Madge behind their backs, a perform
ance to which that lady replied with
grimace, which would have sadly distorted
most any other face than hers, and a mur-
'Well upon my wordl and they
fairly seem to detest each other, too"
''All signs fail in dry weather, my dearln
remarked her astute husband.
81 presume you wonder why l asked you
to walk TO the village this evening, Miss
remarked Sherwood, after they
had sauntered along in oppressive silence
for a quarter of mile.
'And l presume you wonder why /