Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-24

too and we used to see him at the
Etablissement- He was not quite so
handsome then as he is now; but took
! the greatest interest in him. even
have remembered his name 1t is Har-
vey Ferrier. We did not know him.
Mother had one of her prejudices
against him, so you would have not
known him. either; but perhaps you
noticed him somewhere about. Do you
remember?
Il really can't tell you; perhaps 1
did"
No wonder you can't recollect."
laughed Gwendolen, considering you
went straight of to St. Pinnock. and
bewitched that confirmed old bachelor,
Mr.. Walters. Think. myself, it would
have been more romantic to have
stayed on at BOulOgne and have be-
witched Prince Charming"
Mrs. Walters suppressed a yawn,
and then got up from the easy-chair.
80 now you are satisfied" she said,
kissing her sister. Goodnight; am
going to bed
Good night, dear. You look very
pale and tired. London doesn't suit
you. Make haste and get to rest"
But when Sylvia had lain down she
did not go to sleep. She buried her
! face in her pillow and cried quietly
until the September dawn was strug-
Cling in through the chink OF the shut
tiers.
Miss Rivers, sir? Yes, sir She is
staying with Mr.. and Mrs. Walters
first floor front. Shall l take up your
card. sir?''
The name on the card was Harvey
Ferrier, Southdownshire regiment; and
Prince Charming. who had handed it
to the lodging house boy in buttons,
found himself following boy and card
up the stairs to the first floor front with
heart beating so loud and fast that
he could not hear the sound of his own
feet as he went. When the door of the
drawing room was opened he found
himself in the presence of a middle
aged man with a kind, grave face,
| looking out from under a shock of
grizzleG hair, and whose whole APP
pearance formed the strongest contrast
with that of his visitor.
Prince Charming looked little puz-
zled. So did Mr.. Walters. The name
on the card suggested nothing at all to
the man of letters. He bowed to his
caller, and asked him to sit down.
Il beg your pardon, sir" began
Prince Charming, Il took the liberty
of sending up the card you hold to
Miss Rivers"
Mr.. Walters glanced again from the
visitor to his card; but he still looked
puzzled.
Miss Rivers" he said, slowly, at
last, lis staying here under my care.
She is a very near connection of mine
in fact. Mr.. Ferrier--"
81 see,' broke in Mr.. Terrier, hur-
riedly-'1 see. OF course, if that is
the case. must ask you to be so kind
as to listen to me while explain the
reason of my visit. Perhaps it will be
better that l should have seen you
first, as l am aware l am doing some
thing little startling"
Mr.. Walters bowed again. His
manner was solemn. but not unkindly,
and his visitor was far too sanguine to
be easily repealed.
Il will not make any unnecessary
preamble" said Prince Charming: 81
am not clever at beating about the
bush. 1t is just this. About two years
ago, at BOulogue, where Miss Rivers
was staying with her mother, fell
desperately in love with her.
just when l fell in love with
Sylvia" unused Mr. Walters; and he
felt very sympathetic.
Il was horribly badly off," pursued
Prince Charming. so Lady Rivers
thought l acted dishonorably in telling
her daughter the state of my feelings.
She was excessively angry, and made
a great fool of myself. The fact was,
we were both so fond of one another,
and so unhappy"
Poor young thingsr" said Mr.. Wal
tiers, feelingly; then, as he thought of
lieht-hearted Gwendolen, he added;
But she has got over it wonderfully"
"Outwardly, perhaps" replied Prince
Charming. II thought myself. when
caught sight of her from the house OPP
posite. where l am just now in rooms.
that she looked much older and more
R,,f he 4
ceived me. However, l am sure she
will not have forgotten. Look at me;
you wouldn't think l have suffered
serious heart troubles. Yet l have
never left off thinking of her, and
hoping for her."
Really" said Mr.. Walters, with Sc
rious smile. ''But if you could not afford
to marry then, is it any use your think
ing of renewing your courtship now?"
Yes, sir, certainly" replied Ferrier,
sturdily. Il am in better position
now; have got out of all my difficult
ties; I've settled down into being the
steadiest of men-all for love of her.
| have good appointment at Chat
ham. Lady Rivers could no longer
refuse me on the grounds she formerly
urged. had, in spite of all my efforts,
quite lost sight of Miss Rivers until
saw her by chance here. May beg of
you to put me in communication with
Lady Rivers at once?"
Lady Rivers" answered Mr.. Wal
tiers. lis dead. The young lady is now