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

The breakfast bell rang in the cabin and
sent out TO them its most discordant call.
An exple:ive, how impatient the Captain
could only surmise escaped the young man.
~ told you our time was short, Clarice.
See me soon, darling. Don't keep me wait
| ing all day. And snub that old Lord Methu-
selah every time he speaks to you.'
Dear PAUL. mean dear me, PAUL.
that bell is sure to wake Aunt Emily.
must CO." Then louder, for the benefit OF
the public, "Why, the fog has reached US r'
and in hasty, tender aside, "Be careful not
to take cold"
prudent little grandmother!r murmured
Paul Drexel, as she went around the side OF
the boat and was just about to disappear.
1.-THE old adobe catacombp'
The latter half of his ejaculation referred
to quite another person.
A small, gray-whiskered, austerely-with-
cred gentleman had emerged from the cabin
just in time to encounter Clarice, whom he
made gallant effort to detaiR.
She eluded him, however, and passed on
out of sight while he advanced.
He came leisurely, putting final polish
upon his finger nails with silk handker-
chief. Then he looked aloft at the weather,
with an eye-glass glued to such a cold,
staring orb, that it might itself have been
the congealing cause of the bank of mist
that was slowly enveloping them.
Drexers lazily-athletic frame grew sud,
denly rigid with desire to clutch and
drown this insignificant creature. That he
should dare to aspire to the notice of a
beautiful woman like Clarice was enough in
Itself 20 merit speedy and ignominious ex-
tinction. He deserved drowning, if that
were not too honorable.
1t would be good nervous relish to pick
him up, shake the little pinch of breath out
of his narrow chest, close couple Of steady
fingers round his aristocratic windpipe
and hear the small final gurgle that would
ensue
So much malevolence at the mere sight of
this bankpresident.
Something of fog"
eyes sir, from the Captain.
"a fair run, however. Our journey has
been very favorable. Good morning, sir"
to Drexel.
A freezing nod.
"Yes sir, tip-top run. Right time of
year for that. 1.-THE Captain was more
deferential than he had been to the young
people-"thank' Zee SIR" he added, accepting
a Havana from the case courteously ex-
tended to him by Mr.. Cumberland.
al don't smoke" was Drexel;s surly fb
to like proffer.
breakfast is all ready, Mr.. Cumber-
land" said the Captain. Better eat before
you smoke"
And the two went in together.
Later in the forenoon rugs were brought
out and spread upon the desk, shawls and
travelling blankets were adjusted and ar
ranged, and party of ladies was ensconced
where they could be carefully protected and
yet have the benefit of the fresh air. Mrs.
Winterfeld, her mature daughter, Rosa
mond, and her hayward niece, Clarice.
Mr.. Cumberland was in polite attendance,
and his assiduous devotion to their comfort
received gracious recognition from the two
elder ladies' but won little favor from Clar
ice. She was restless in their company,
nervous and restrained.
They had not been long seated before she
expressed a desire to go for few minutes
upon the hurricane deck. She wanted to
escape them, and, besides, she had caught
shadowy perspective of Paul's hat round the
corner of the pilot house.
Mrs. Winterfeld demurred, Miss Rosa
mond was Mortified, but Mr.. Cumberland
greeted the proposition with considerable
indulgence, offering to go with her, if Mrs.
Winterfield did not object
He sped up the ladder like cat and
reached down a feeble claw to steady
Clarice's ascent.
Rosamond and her mother were left to
themselves, two such pale personalities that
where they were could literally be called
solitude.
The Captain was out for an after-breakfast
tuSn, and showed his goodwill by pointing
out the occasionally visible shore, for the
fog lifted at intervals, giving them CLEAN
of sun, and then settled down again dense
and cherries.
His sociability not meeting with much re-
Spouse, he began pattering along his path.
as if it were business and he must, leaving
them to themselves.
"Rosamond, l think that young man is
sufficiently rebuked. You say he has not
been near Clarice this morningi"
at took heroic treatment, mamma, to
make him understand himself de trop
Ckarice herself has so little sense'
al suppose she thinks him handsome She
does MT seem to kssow Mr. Cumberland
is mt man to be trifiei with. Such an es-
adjustment as his does MT go begging every
day"
But why should he want such frippery
chit for a wifel / could never understand
how Clarice manages to so bewitch the
man. Such a simpleton, with no style, and
certainly with 10 dignity, nor much breed
ing, either, for that matter, if she is my
cousin.n
But she is young, my dear, and youth is
for woman what money is for man-the
all in all"
Rosamond bridled coldly.
ut would have been far more ftting.n
her mother resumed, IF Mr.. Cumberland
had chosen you, Rosamond. But he is so
dazzled with Clarice he is blind to fitness or
prudence"
"You know very well would not look at
him.
A hating and faded pink crept upto Rosa
mond's face as she said this. 1t was as near
the heat of anger as could be expected of
her autumnal blood.
The mother and daughter might have
quarreled, had not Clarice just then, stead
fast to her fickleness. appeared above aboat
70 descend. AIR. Cumberland was meekiy
waiting to follow, and Clarice was red as a
rose.
The secret of her color was an impassioned
sentence her heart had betrayed her into
whispering to Drexel rs she had passed SO
closely 70 him, sitting modify alone upon
the roof, that her garments brushed against
him.
His look had been so dark and threaten.
ing that she had dashed upon bis senses