Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-03

Win the OOJ6cE Oh marrying u WOudn
with money; and your husband re-
quired assistance on a medical point
He wanted the name of a poison"
But if that is ALL interrupted DOL
~, what was the risk Sir Robert
warned him against"
Perhaps" was the answer, given
with smile, "Ballantyne was think
ing of his own early literary efforts. A
first work is generally a heavy drain
on an authors pocket"
1t might have been supposed that
these explanations would have suffi-
GENTLY proved the groundlessness OF
the invalid's apprehensions. but she
was still dissatisfied. The story was
plausible enough, but how could she
be sure of its truth? Might it not be
| itself fiction devised for the purpose
of allaying her excitement? Moreover,
was it probable that Jack would con-
fde the history of his novel and cor
respondence with Sir Robert Ballan-
tyne to this new acquaintance? Was it
likely, when he had never mentioned
the subject, even to his wife, that he
should communicate it to the doctor.
who, no doubt, was the local practition-
err summoned at the time of her attack
Of illness?
Convinced by these considerations
that she was the victim of deception.
Dolly put further question:
But how do you know all about my
husbands book and Sir Robert Ballan-
tyne's letter."
'My dear Mrs. Rivers, 1 am Sir Rob-
ert Ballantyne."
And we'll for Dolly that it was so. and
that the services of such a skilled ply
stefan had been available during her
illness.
Her condition, indeed, had at first
seemed hopeless, but care and skill
eventually triumphed, and from the
moment when the cause of Dolly's az
prehensions was removed, her recov-
cry was rapid and uninterrupted.
The nature of the first meeting be-
tween husband and wife, with it's
strange mixture OF mirth and tears.
can be only indicated. Dolly's contri-
ton was met by a hearty acknowledge
ment of Jacks share in the response
bility for the mystifcation. Not that
he could be fairly blamed for the solic-
itude on his wife's behalf, which had
been alike responsible for his literary
enterprise. and for the secrecy observed
regarding it.
The notion of the Poisoned Potion"
had indeed originated in its author s
desire to increase his income, and fur
nish his wife with the comforts to
which she had once been accustomed.
While anxious for her enjoyment of
the benefit of his success. he had deter
mined to spare her the anxieties pre-
ceding its accomplishment.
A mutual misunderstanding had en-
sued. Dolly ascribed to the wrong cause
her h usband's restlessness and pre-
occupation, while he attributed his
wife's evident anxiety to the privatiOns
to which she was subjected.
The Poisoned Potion" Jacks sem
sational novel appeared while the ap-
petite for mysteries was at its ze-
NTH, and was admitted to be the sue
cess of the year. Dolly's father has
now little reason to be ashamed of his
son-in-law, no longer the "beggarly
clerk" but one of the most prosperous
authors of the day. Jacks relations,
too. who washed their hands of the
whole concern" when it was repre-
scented by the little house in the bor-
ough, act very differently now that it
has taken the form of a well-appointed
and hOspitable establishment in one of
the most fashionable streets of May
fair.-LondOn Society.