Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-17


choly."
81 little thought that your long-talked
visit was to be such dolefui affair as this,
said Isabel. ''But, indeed, Lillian, you
not know how much you have helped me-
st assure you take full credit to mysel
for all Ihave done" she answered, ,willfully
81 do believe Uncle Harvey got up this III
tie diversion Just for the purpose OF testln
the affection of his friends"
ssThen 1 deserved to be disappointed
didn't IL, he said, weakly He enjoyed he
! bright raillery, as it showed him that
was once more among flesh and blood pee
pie instead Of the dim and ghostly form
among which he had moved during tn
weeks when his diseased fancy had distori
ed every thing about him into unreal Shapes
Isabel was not disappointed in Lillian
| the bright, sweet girl was just the gener
| GUS, whole-souled little woman she had I'm
| agined her to be, and a warm affection ha'
sprung up between them.
ssYou have forgiven me, then, for marry
ing your unclel" Isabel said, mischievously
as they were waiting in the drawing-roon
! for the carriage which was to take Lillian
| away.
YES" she replied, promptly, ''and have
given you my blessing, fguratively speak
ing" Then more thoughtfully: "Your cast
is only another demonstration OF the fac
which mamma and have argued over evel
since went in pinafores, that person:
position in life does not necessarily deter
mine all Inequalities of head and heart"
"Well, what do you think of her" SAID
Mrs. Stanford, after Lillian's return, anC
when other inquiries had been answered.
Il think Uncle Harvey might have hunt
ed the city over without finding any one 81
perfectly suited to him as Aunt Isabel, +" re
piled Lillian, warmly.
SEVEN if she was a plebeian shop-girl,
said Mr. Stanford, with smile.
'sI'm afraid the blue blood Of the Caring
tons would boil If they should hear yor
speak Of their kinSwoman under that title,
and Lillian laughed. "Aunt Isabel told me
that Major Darlington was terribly shocked
when she told him how she had been forced
to earn a living"
Harvey Falconer's return to health was as
rapid as could be expected, considering his
extreme weakness, and he was as yet but
the pallid ghost of himself as he sat up in
his easy chair, or laid upon the puffy cush'
ioned lounge in the home room.
1t was now long past Christmas and they
had received an urgent invitation from
Major Darlington to spend the remainder
of the winter at Elm Park, and had decid'
ed to go as soon as the invalid was strong
enough to travel. DR.. Conroy had advised
the change of climate, and Mr.. Falconer.
with his blood debilitated and chilled by
sickness, looked forward to it gratefully.
DR.. Conroy had been like brother in this
time of trouble, and the Falconers, who had
respected and admired him before, were
now bound to him by the ties Of affection as
well.
He who comes to US in our hour OF
trouble not only makes himself our friend,
but commands affection also, and the
earnest, faithful physician not only heals
the sickness by the aid of his skllful knowl-
edge, but brings his sympathy, his soothing
word and kindly touch, winning place for
himself in our hearts which no other can
fill.
DIR. Conroy was one of these who brought
his heart with him to the sick chamber.
Many mother could testify that he had
ministered to her sick babe as tenderly as
if it had been his own.
Itwas this element of tenderness in his
nature which had endeared him to Lottie
Ford, and with him affection for
the fair, sweet girl, so gentle and un-
complaining in her suffering, had sprung
up spontaneously, and he had made her but
few visits before he became conscious that
she was the one woman of all the world
whom he wished to call his wife, and as he
was a straightforward man, he had lost no
time in showing her his heart.
She was steadily improving under his
care, and could now walk with one crutch
with but little pain, and there was every
reason to hope that her recovery was to be
complete, and she was preparing for the
visit at home with great delight.
''Lottie, dear" said Isabel as they sat in
her cheerful room, ''you will spend the time
with US before your marriage, will you not
We shall return in February, and shall
hope to see you soon after we come home. ~
''Yes," replied Lottie; 'Malcolm wishes
me to remain under treatment for some
time yet. He is thinking he can get father
better employment here than he has in New
York. If it were not for that I should fee
as if must pass my last months of maiden
life with mother"
''Oh, isn't that lovelyI'' cried Isabel, 'ii
you can have the little mother near you
she Will have to adopt me, too, Tor long iol
mother So" and she gave sigh for the
lost mother in her grave.
''Mother's heart is large enough for Us
BOTH" replied Lottie, smiling, land l only
fear that shall have occasion to be jealous
of you. They will come in the spring, il
all works as we expect, and as DR.. Conroy
is almost positive it will"
''Then fear / am to be disappointed in
having the pleasure of making darling lit
tie wedding for you," said Isabel, shade
coming over her face. 81 had anticipated
having such quite select affair"
SWELL" replied Lottie, ''you and mother
may decide that when the time comes, fol
must confess that with father and mother
here, your home would seem as much like
my home as any place could"
"You darling" said Isabel, relieved
''Then shall coax our mother until she il