The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-05

| OeIWeeH lnem. NO OOuDt tnat the
Colonel was customer of Jack s, who,
innocently and naturally enough.
would make no attempt 10 conceal his
friends occupation. 1t was now that
Tom bitterly ieIented him of having
shirked his obvious duty of informing z
Colonel Vaughan Of what he must, by
this time. have learned from q third
rarty. In vain did roor Tom endeavor
10 console or uphold himself with des-
perate hopes that Mabel Vaughan
would be true to him and the Colonel
would be mercifuL. He remembered
the fate of the presumptuous Mr.. Wall
nut. and groaned.
Tom skunk into Southdore, hoping
to gain his hotel without coming
across the yaughans lie wanted
time for consideration and for rchec-
ton; In fact, to compose his mind for
the ordeal Of facing tho angry and
indignant parents. But some vengc-
ful fate seemed TO be dogging his foot
steps that day. for who should he run
againsl quite suddenly aud unexpect-
cdly on turning corner but the
Colonel and his wife. and Miss Mabel.
Takon unawareS and oppressed by
guilty and craven spirit, he glanced at
thcm falteringly. doubtingly. nervous
ly. and hurried past before giving him
self time 10 uncover The Vaughans
evidently perceived him. for they
showed signs OF confusion. but none.
alas! II recognition. and Tom painful
ly realized that he had been cut dead.
II was not until some hours later.
after having wandered disconsolately
along tho sea-shore In tho depths of
irenzied melancholy and despair. with
distinctly suicidal tendency. that
poor Toms dropping spirits began
family to revive from tho recol-
lection that in his agitation. he had
omitted to take of his hat to the
VarGhsns. Was 1t not possible that
he was himself TO blame for what had
occurred? Might they not have been
affronted at his behavior and thus lot
him go by without recognition? The
idea passed through the gloom of
Toms depression like ray of sun
shine through November fog. though
its effect wns nnhapplly, hardly less
evanescent. In his heart the poor fel-
low felt that the hope was wild and
delusive. but still he clHng to it, and
hugged it through the dreary. wakeful
night. and resosutely presented it as
shield against tho incessant attacks If
his dismal forebo1lingS. As early the
next morning as he could decenilv do
so. he presented himself at the Flag
staff Hotel to apologize to explain.
to grovel in the dust. if necessary. at
The feet of the Colonel, though he had
sach dire misgivings of the result Of
his mission that. sickening as the news
WIS, it seemed almost relief to him
to learn that the Vaughans had sud-
denly left by the night train the even-
ing previous.
It was remarked by his hotel ac-
9usintances that Tom was very much
changed during the remainder of his
stay mt Southdore- His meods were
uncertain and alternated between the
deepest depression and the most
beisterous hilarity- He beeame care
less of his personal appearance, drank
more than was good for HIM. and. in
short. contrived to diminish very con-
siderably the good impression he had
labored to create. H. was probably
dinly conscious of this. for he cut short
his visit, and returned 10 town some
what abruptly.
Tom had hitherto always found that
getting back to Business after the holi-
days had wholesome. SOLDERING effect
upon him. for the prosaie details of his
shop were inconsistent with romantic
ideas. But if he had hoped to forget
Mabel Vaughan, he soon discovered
that he might as well have remained
at Snuthdore for all the consolation
the change brought Inn. There could
be no doubt about it that he
was deeply-n;y miserably-in
love, for no oshar term could
be fifty applied 10 50 unpropitious All
attachment. In LonSel, somehow.
the Vaughans seemed to gom to be
further away froai him, more immeas-
urably removed from his sphere. so
to speak, than at Southdore. Never
theless. he made wild resolves in
frantic moments, to seek out Colonel
Vaughan and Mabel at any cost. and
night possibly have done so had he
known their address. But there were
three Colonel Yaughans in the Court
Gi;de." and Tom shrank from the nee
eSsary inquiries; while in his lucid in
tervals he stoutly and wisely deter
mined to struggle with and overcome
his infatuation.
Nearly two months had elarsed
since his fatal meeting with Jack
Brace before Tom happened to come
across that volatile individual
again. H, naturally felt extremely
awkward in regard 10 him, seeing that
Jack had the right to say that he had
behaved inhospitably to him at South
dore. However. he at length met him
accidentally one day. when jacks
friendly greeting manifested so for
giving spirit that Tom ventured, not
without some trepidation. 10 ask for
news of the Vaughans.
Haven seen the Colonel since that
day down at Southdore," answered
Jack. with his jolly laugh.
I'm afraid / offended him some
how." said Tom, with affected indif-
ference.