Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-01-10

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her to lean there so long
1t made the Captain uneasy. He was ;
stubby sea-dog with weather-wise wrinkle:
at the corners OF his eyes, and was ou
there for his mornings parade. 1t was hi:
custom to pace back and forth across thi!
narrow plateau OF ships floor much after
the fashion of hycna in cage.
And the histories he gathered there, the
romances he was third party 10, the varied
human character he studied Kept alive the
spark Of ideaiity in his practical brain
Little scraps of dialogue were keys thai
opened many doors to him-the Blue-Bearc
closet, the maiden's boudoir, the slattern's
kitchen, the counting room, the hospital
the Legislative hall.
He could do all his duty and hear besides
1t puzzled him TO know what this young
lady had discovered that kept her so long in
one position.
He was relieved when a stalwart, white
flannel suited young man hove in sight, evil
IDENTIFY in search of her.
''Ah, good morning, Miss Clarice"
She sprang into an erect attitude like the
letting go of bent whalebone.
"Good morning." she replied, blushing.
"You are an early riser. What are you
doingl"
She laughed. Her face was a fine ma
hogany brown from the red of the young
blood under an all-summer's coat of tan.
Pm looking to see how much water she
draws"
Then pray do look as Christian should.
and not hang over betwixt sky and sea in
that suicidal fashion"
''But Pm short-sighted, you know, and be
sides Pm making near study of color in
the water.n
He laughed, as if he were accustomed to
find her amusing.
suppose we have the Captain lower you
to the lake, where you won't have to peer
so distressingly. Ell, Captainn'
The Captain paid no attention. She
smiled good naturedly.
He's as dignitied as an iron lion. I've
kept swarm of words about his ears ever
since we started, but he never seems to
hear. l think he's deaf"
"Almost any man would be glad to be
that has so many women asking him Ques-
tons"
She again leaned over the rail. The water
FLASHED softly against the bow, as the pro-
peller was urged on by her industrious en-
CINE.
''See. she has bone in her teeth" said
Clarice; then abruptly changing the sub
ject, How blue is this lake to your
How blue! Well, as-your dress. Now
give me yours"
"As indigo"
''That is a waSherwoman's smile"
"Look at the paths on the water. AS far
as you can see are the silver roads crossing
and re-crossing. What makes themp'
''We'll ask the Captain. Captain" as that
officer careened by on his starboard tack,
~ suppose it is the variable wind that
stripes the water with those broad bands,
isn't it!"
A crustT gutteral emerged from behind
the Captains cigar.
'What is it q sign OFF,
Another laryngeal uncertainty for reply
'Do you have much fog this time of year.
Captainl"
He was close alongside and had to answer:
'Yes, a good deal this year That's fog"
pointing over his shoulder at smoky cloud
that was advancing upon them, like a ghost
risen from the water.
A cabin boy came to him for an order and
he withdrew for moment
Instantly tone and manner changed in the
young people. All their banter had been
mere pretence-a trick of the tongue in both
to divert suspicion. Tell-tale whisper and
stolen glance would have been CONNER
cial tags labelling them lovers, while badi-
mage meant mere acquaintance.
"Clarice, waited out here until mid
night"
''But Paul, 1 could not come"
add not know!"
AUNT Emily suspected me, and Cousin
Rosamond was as wide awake as an owl
Neither would go to bed"
81 wanted to talk this over. I have a
plan. can't and won't bear this strain on
my heart any longer. / am used pp-des-
perate"
The Captain had resumed his pacing again,
but they did not notice him.
'sAnd too, Paul, am perfectly unhappy. /
hate being watched and dictated to, and oh I
hate deceit. l am getting to be like a
hunted fox-I can play any kind of a cum
ming trick"
'sEmancipate yourself at once, Clarice
Listen to me-"
ssWhat shall / doi 1 won't promise to do
It'll am so distressed will listen.
will try.n
, There's hardly time to tell you now. But
promise me, Clarice, il there is a single
chance during the day-if the old ladies
have to take a nap, or are seasick-that you
will find me out You see, it win take time
You are so difficult to persuade"
s'Yes, promise"
Il know what informal dragons they are,
and how they hate me. And that odious
old Lord Do-Noddy-he lie forever at your
heels don't see how you can endure him
Yea aShor him. lam surer'