Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-26

They had another visitor that even
ing, Colonel Erickson, handsome, sol
dierly man of perhaps thirty-fve-a man
in whose clear blue eyes any one with
quick observation might read at times
passionate admiration of proud, sweet
Genie Howard.
But he, as well as almost every other
one, looked on Genie's fate as settled.
II had been Hugh Vernon's fathers
wish when dying that Hugh should
make Genie his wife, and the girl was
perfectly willing up till-wen, perfectly
willing still, for her nature was loyal
and true. and yet-and yet what was this
vague unrest that had crept into her
soul-this longing for something, she
scarcely knew what? Only lately her
heart had beat madly at another's COM
ing, her pulses had thrilled at the touch
of another's hand, the sky seemed bluer,
the grass greener when he was near.
What meant the passionate pain that
thrilled her being as she noticed, from
the moment Wilson Erickson had bent
above Eunice Forrester's white hand, he
seemed to have eyes for no other while
the evening lasted?
More than once-nay, almost every
chance he got without being observed
his eyes rested on the perfect face till
Genie's heart grew faint within her as
she watched them. That night she knelt
in passionate agony, realizing what 1t
all meant-realizing that she loved
Wilson Erickson with all her heart, and
yet, was she not almost the promised
wife of another?
A few bright sunny weeks passed, and
then a strange awakening came to
Genie. Whatever the interest Wilson
Erickson took in Eunice Forester, he
made no attempt to become her lover,
and satisfied of this, she took no note OF
where Hugh Vernon's heart and soul
we're drifting-drifting to be tangled in
the meshes of Eunice Forrester's red
gold hair and find their hope in the light
of her lovely eyes.
People wondered that she was so blind
his infatuation was so plain to every
one else, and above all to Wilson En-
rickson.
One evening in the cleaning they
were all on the veranda together.
The mystic spell of the hour seemed
to have fallen over them, for silence had
reigned for awhile.
''Do you know, Miss Forester" Will
son Erickson said, that you and once
met before? You have no memory Of 1t,
have you?"
He was watching the beautiful face as
| he spoke, and not only he, but Genie
noticed, the deathly pallor that over
spread it.
| Only for a moment however.
1t might have been the gray shadows
falling, or some sudden memory that
had blanched it, or seemed to blanch il
for the moment.
NO" she said, slowly, 81 do not re.
member you. Where did we meet?"
at was at the entertainment given by
the scholars in st. Mary's seminary in
Canada. 1t was after the performance
"a kind of theatrical performance, you
remember"
You remember? Was it question?
"Yes, l remember" her sapphire eyes
full on his face, her red lips curving
with a half-mocking smile, Il played
Isolde
Eyes; you played Isolde, but you have
changed greatly since them
Il was only sixteen then, and the
greatest changes come between six
teen and twenty-five. Most likely the
greatest change is in my hair. had
brain fever three years ago, and it was
shaved, and instead of coming out the
| ,-o11o,,v % o+hor VIC IT panop ont
very little better than red; l hardly
knew myself for short time after.
suppose l little more than resemble the
delicate girl 1 was then. ] was very
delicate at that time"
RESEMBLE her? Yes, that is what il
seems to me, or rather seemed to me you
did, but of course better health, six
years and the change in your hair, il
was scarcely to be wondered l was
vaguely puzzled"
The conversation was not resumed
again till-till one evening, almost two
months later, and then Eunice Forester
stood facing Wilson Erickson, under
the shadow of dropping trees.
Il know you are not Eunice For
roster" he said, Though singularly like
her. Do you know why l have waited
so long? Partly because believed your
better nature would assert itself in time
for you are any thing but a happy woman
and partly because have known what
temptation was myself, and yielded to it
''Had l, for your sake alone, withheld
the suspicious which l have proved Ger
tainties, perhaps feeling my own honor
unstained, might have been harder IL
my Judgment, but this was my tempta
ton and l yielded. l love Genie Howard
and every one understood that she wa
to be Hugh Vernon's wife. When you
came l saw that Hugh Vernon fell il
love with your beautiful face, and in
tended to let it 60 on, that through the
proofs of Hugh Vernon's faithlessness he
heart might turn to me. 1t was cowardlI
of me, when Knight have saved the mai
she loved from an adventures, but ever
yet will give him back to her, let m'
suffer what 1 may"
All through it Eunice had not spoken
now she raised her white face and the
hopeless agony of it struck the man tx
the heart.
Eyes, was tempted, but not to yol
will explain. You have proved that
am not Eunice Forester. Have you
proved who am? You need not speak
Give me three days grace and l viii
leave the homestead, telling the trutl
TOTO Hugh Vernon and Genie. Ont
thing you judged me right in. l wa
never happy in the deception; even ha'
you not found me out, believe l woult
have given up all and gone away re