Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-05


her arms about his neck-when to her
establishment who should appear but
Brown!
l need scarcely inform the readers
that White, impelled by the same laud-
able curiosity We have seen. already
had mis- eye at the key-hole.
What! you again?" said Lydia, be-
slowing on Brown the kiss she had re-
served for her venerable parent.
How glad am you have come back!
But it is rash in you"
Love makes the heart boldr'
laughed Brown, giving Lydia an extra
hug for the express benefit of White,
who, he expected, was at the key-hole.
Il began to think the old man hadn't
come, after all; so came back to bid
you goodbye more deliberately"
''Ah! you are good fellow" said
Lydia; ''but can't let you stop now. 1
really expect father every minute"
well, I'll go soon; but must finish
telling you about how bluffed off your
very dear friend White
My very dear friend" echoed
Lydia, contemporary. Il wish you
knew how l detest that fellowr'
Il thought so; and for that reason,
when had the talk with him on the
road, as was telling you. out of con-
sideration for your feelings, deter
mined he shouldn't visit you tonight.
So followed him until he didn't dare
come any farther, for fear | would
mistrust he was coming to see you.
Didn't bluff him off! and wouldn't l
laugh to see him enter nOwr
What fool l have been making
of myself"' thought White, glaring
through the keyhole. Brown is the
man Lydia loves, after all; and instead
of fooling him so completely, as l
thought was doing, when we met. he
was all the time playing off a con-
temptible trick on me! I'll rush in,
demolish him, and tell that laughing,
saucy jade just what l think of herr
White was on the point of carrying
this savage resolution into effect, when
an unusual hustle in the parlOr caused
him to delay. eheard Lydia whisper:
Fathers comingr' heard parting
kiss-heard the front door opening
and the next moment Brown was
thrust unceremoniously into the kitchen
where he himself was concealed.
If the reader imagines that the
rivals, on being shut up in dark room
together, flew at each other like two
hungry wild beasts, would beg to in
form him that he is very much in error.
The rivals did nothing of the sort, as
we shall see.
Brown heard a light footstep, and
knew White was in the room.
MY dear fellow" he whispered.
"What the deuce do you want?"
growled the irritated White.
What rich joke. ha, ha. har'
laughed Brown. Lydia thinks she
has been making fools of US, but be-
lieve we both understand her now
perfectly"
Little doubt about that" said
White, bitterly.
There's no use feeling sore about
the matter" observed the philosOph-
zeal Brown. "Our acquaintance has
commenced under peculiar circum-
stances, and l think it is our duty to
cultivate it. overheard your CONVEX
sation with Lydia, looking through the
key-hole, and as you witnessed my in
terview with her just now, we are even
on that score. Give me your hand, and
let us be sworn friends in the future"
Il am proud to make your acquaint-
ance," said White, feeling much con-
soled by his rivals philosophical ha-
rangue. I'VE are quits as far as the
joke is concerned; and as for that girl
that heartless cOquette--"
1--WE needn't quarrel about her. in
terrupted Brown, for she is not worth
a thought. wonder how a man of
your penetration never saw what she
was befOrem
IF so shrewd man as you were de-
ceived," replied White, what could be
expected of me? But we both know
her better now, and can whistle her off
without pang."
'What sensible fellow you are!'
exclaimed Brown; land what pity it
is 1 never made your acquaintance be-
forer'
The rivals shook hands, and became
sworn friends on the spot.
Hearing Lydia's father talking very
loud to her in the parlOr, they thought
it good time to make their escape.
and glided out the house unheard
by either the old gentleman or his
daughter.
On the following day, as Lydia was
laughing heartily at her adventure on
the preceding night, a small, neatly
folded billet was brought into her by
the postman.
Its Browns handwriting" she
said to herself, as she broke open the
letter with smile of satisfied vanity.
Lets see what he says!''
ITO OUR DEAR LYDIA:
LAS you are now, in all probability. laboring |
under the erroneous impression that you have |
played most admirable trick OF on US, we have |
formed ourselves into a joint committee Of two, |
in order to devise means for setting your mind |
at rest upon the subject The truth is dear |
Lydia. we, the undersigned, understand our
selves and each other perfectly, and see through |
your entire course of conduct better than you
imagine. However We have formed the wise
resolution TO allow you to retain your natural
colors through life, before we so far forget our
self respect, as to think of inducing you to be-
come either Brown or White.
Trusting that this Official document contains
such an explanation Of our views as you will
readily understand, we hereby bid you an afiec-
tionate adieu, hoping you may have better sue