Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-11-07

eJaculated he. t'thOse gray eyes flashed
splendidly.n The fact was Hugh had been
having trouble with one of his schoolgirls,
whom he had severely reprimanded for
some misdemeanOr, and she had flown at
him like an enraged tigress, declaring she
would scratch out his eyes if he dared to
touch her. Then when he attempted to
question her in regard to the matter she
impertinently informed him that she would
not answer any of his questions. "Weu,
then" said he, bravely hiding his dis
comfture and assuming considerable dig
nifty, MAUD Ray, you can go home at
once" which she did, closing the door after
herin very expressive manner. As Hugh
STROBE on, meditating upon what course to
pursue in regard to the trouble, his speed
somewhat slackened, merry look flashed
DER his boyish face, and, the Iudicrousness
of the scene bursting fully upon him, he be-
gan laughing boisterously, leaning the
while against tree for support.
''lt's evident" said he, after regaining
mis- compOsure, ''that am not intended for
the business. Now, the boys can manage
very well, but the girls, bless their way
ward hearts, especially the heart of Maud
Ray, don't exactly understand them-one
minute as mild as May morning, and the
next flying in a fellows face with kitten
ish desire to scratch out his eyes. confess
do not like it, and should any thing else
present itself would bid goodbye to the
district school forever" Maud Ray was the
only daughter of Farmer John Ray. Her
mother having died when the child could
barely lisp her name, she had grown up as
wild and free as the winds which rumpled
and whistled IN the tall locust trees that
sheltered her home. She was a slight
graceful little girl, with face which prom
ised beauty IL the future, but which, as
she went stamping towards home that
pleasant June day, was disfgured by angry
passions.
81 hate him, the horrid old thing! and 1
never want to see him againr'
The above declaration was made in the
presence of her father, and accompanied by
q perfect storm of tears.
Il tell you what, pa, l want to go to Aunt
James, do, do. May l go!" asked she,
coaxingly. "MdyIl
Mr. Ray tried TO reason with his little
daughter, but at last yielded to her per
suasions, and within a few days she was
dispatched to Aunt Jane, who lived about
sixty miles distant, just on the outskirts of
the thriving city of L, in one of the New
England States.
Goodbye, pa, darling" said Maud, put
ting her two arms around her fathers neck
and kissing heartily each bronzed cheek
'Good-bye; be sure and come at Christ
mas time" Then clasping his toil-hardened
hand she whispered: II will try so hard to
be good and learn my lessons"
Mr.. Ray gazed fOndly at her, smiled,
kissed the dimpled cheeks once again, and
stepped from the platform of the departing
train. "Sister Jane can manage the child
better than can" said he; "she has wanted
her ever since her mother died. I'm glad,
after all, she has gone, though twill be
lonesome enough for the boys and me-
Ten years later and, owing to one of those
miraculous ways by which fortune some
times comes to an individual, Hugh Burton
sat in luxuriously-turnished apartment in
one of the most fashionable boarding
houses in New York City. He was man
of striking personal appearance, fully six
feet in height, with a self-possessed air
about him and determination in the we'll
formed, compressed lips. His face was
lighted by deep, dark eyes and crowned by
close-waving, dark hair.
He was staring incredulously at his
bosom friend, Dick Dering, who had
dropped IN 1or quiet, confidential talk.
Engaged to be married." said he.
<'Yes.n
%'You?"
Il. Is there any thing so very astonish-
ing in it?"
Il did think you had an ordinary amount
of common sense, Dering."
"How then have 1 forfeited your good
opinion?"
'By engaging yourself to marry a
woman"
"Who in the world would one marry if
not a woman?n
"Well, YOU see, woman is a woman
and ~
"In the name of all that's human what
else could she be-"
"All sorts of unpleasant things. No
good will ever come Of it, Dickey," contIn-
ued he, exasperatingly. CATER consider
able observation l am prepared to say there
is something wrong somewhere in this mar