Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-20

'Ihere was long pause; Inen MarJOry
said. almost cheerily: Perhaps ifyou went
to Mr.. Lyle, he could tell you, Jim"
Il did go, Mariory, yesterday. he inter-
rupted her quietly, "but he has gone from
home for fortnight If my drawing had
been successful he would have written be-
fore he left. Try not to grieve, darling; it
can't be helped" Jim went on, with sickly
smile. 1--WE must try something else. /
may hear of something to-day"
perhaps there will be letter tonight"
said Mariory with renewed hope, as she bid
her husband goodbye at the door.
Jim came home about six, looking terri
bly, weary and depressed. He had been I'M
successful-once more.
"No letters vet, DEAR" said his wife,
Fastening to answer the unspoken question
in his eyes. AS she spoke they heard the
postman's knock in the distance; it came
nearer-and died away.
perhaps there will be one in the morn
! ing" Mariory went on; but her voice fal.
tered.
In the morningl Another long, awful,
sleepless night of hoping against hope, of
maddening, steadily-growing despair! Jim
shuddered. He was worn out, physically
and mentally; and he felt as though he could
not stand the sickening suspense longer. As
he looked at his wife, her wan, changed
little face, with its pale ghost Of smile,
seemed to pierce his heart.
A strange, terrible, determined look set
tied round bis mouth, but Marjory was
leaning her curly head against his arm, and
did not see his face.
The room was quite dark now, but they
were still standing at the window. For
time Carol was very still. Then he said:
81 am very tired, Marjory, darling. Twill
lie down for a while Don't disturb me. II
didn't sleep last night" (nor for many nights,
he might have added)
''But won't you have cup of tea first,
Jimp'
mo, l don't care for any,"
"a long sleep will do you good, dear" she
said, anxiously and caressingly. "You look
dreadful"
'Yes," he answered, in strangely quiet
voice, "a long sleep will do me good" Then
suddenly: kiss me, Marjoryn'
''Ah, my own dear disappointed boyn'
she cried, throwing her arms round him.
He held her to him tightly, and kissed her
again and again.
my darlingP he said, hoarsely. "My
own darlingp'
Then he let her go, and went away. She
noarQ MIN go up stairs anu lis lOoISGcps
echo in the room above.
Marjory sat at the window for long,
| long time; and watched the stars grow
brighter and clearer in the soft dark sky.
Somewhere in the distance a street organ
was wailing out an old hackneyed waltz tune
1t stirred her heart strangely. She remem
bered dancing that waltz with Jim, so very,
very long ago-it seemed long ago, like
every thing else that was bright and hope
full Even Mariory's brave little heart was
heavy tonight. What would become of
them, she wondered! God only knew.
The clock in neighboring church tower
doomed out on the night air, and as the last
stroke died away there was sharp knock
at the door, 1t was the postman. Mariory
| took the one letter he held out to her, and
closing the door again she went back to the
sitting room. With trembling fingers she
| lighted the candle and examined the en-
velope eagerly. Yes, it was Mr.. Lyle's hand
writing! Marjory recognized it without
difficulty, for it was a peculiar hand. With
beating heart she stole softly up stairs
she did not take the candle, for fear OF
waking Jim, should he be asleep-and
peeped into the bedroom. All was still. In
the pale starlight she could just make out
the dim outline of his figure on the bed.
"Jimr' she whispered.
No answer. He was evidently asleep.
All! it seemed a pity to wake him, she
thought; and perhaps, after all, the letter
held bad news. She softly laid shawl
over him in the semi-darkness, and crept
down stairs again.
After looking at the fateful envelope for
some time she slowly opened it. She could
not wait, and she knew Jim would not mind.
In another moment she uttered a little glad
involuntary cry, and her lips parted in
| joyful, half-incredulous smile. Could it be
possible! Yes-Jim's design had been
selected as the best; the premium would be
his! And this was not the only good news
the letter contained; for Lyle went on to
saw that he had heard Of a vacant appoint
ment, which he thought he could-through
| his fathers influence-securef for Carol.
Mallory hid her face in her hands; for a
moment the revulsion of feeling was almost
too much. Then, in passion Of tears and
thankfulness, she fell upon her knees But
she could only say: "Thank God! Thank
Godn
An hour passed. The moon was drifting
among the stars and streaming in through
the uucurtained window on Marjory's face
wet with happy tears. The candle had
burned itself out.
All. what a Joyous waking Jim's would
be! Should she lay the letter on his pillow
to surprise him when he awoke! Or should
she rouse himl Perhaps he was already
awake.
She lit fresh bit of candle, and, still
holding the precious letter, went up stairs.
She laid the candle down just outside the
bedroom door and entered very gently.
How deadly still the room wasl
"Jim!'' she said, sofly.
But Jim did not answer. How soundly
he slept!
Marjory came nearer and bent over him
in the throbbing darkness. The moon had
hidden herself behind one solitary cloud.
"Jiml'-a little louder.
Still that strange weird hush. A vague
fear stirred her heart. She did not even
hear him breathe. What if he had tainted!
The moon sailed out again, Illuminating
part of the room, but leaving the bed in
deep shadow.
Jim, darling" leaning over him and lay
ing her arm across his neck, "a letter has
comel Itis-" With a sudden sickeping
terror she stopped and raised herself, for
she felt-that her sleeve was wet!
Snatching up the candle she held it over
the bed, and by its Pickering light she saw
-ah, dear Heaven-what did she seel
Not her Jim, SURELY
A white, dead fsce-a dark, red stain on
the coverlet-a CHASTITY wound-and cold
nerveless fingers, still holding-what!
All, cruel Jim!
A long. shuddering cry rang out on the
autumn night-wild- notwithstanding
Again and again it echoed. Then all was
still.
In the asylum at s. there is fair, slender
rrrith c01arnn child .lilxa and