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

agitated greeting.
Clarice obeyed.
''Is it true, Clarice, is it true that you were
clipping with that young man this morningf'
Carice was prepared to be defiant.
''It is true"
''Where were you going"
Il was going to his mothers house."
"And you were to be marriedp
eyes"
''Do you think that dignified thing for a
young lady to do?'
'Quite as dignified as for the woman who
should be my mother to try to make me
marry a man hate-a man old enough to be
my grandfather"
Hush, Clarice, 1 am astonished at you.n
Clarice's unwonted temper took sudden
turn in the direction of tears. She burst
into storm of them, and they were a relief
from the days complex emotions.
'.Auntie, l don't mean to be disrespectful,
but say what Ireally do think"
"But, Clarice, have no desire except for
your good. want to see you established.
know more of the world than you. A pen
niless man may DE very agreeable to look at
or to talk with, but what sort of a home do
you suppose he could furnish his wife?"
"How do you know Paul is pennilessa He
earns good salary and has all the world
before him"
And Clarice fell to sobbing anew.
Dear me-" said Mrs. Winterfeld," had
no idea you felt this way. / supposed it
was the most frivolous filtration. You can't
have known him more than three weeks"
why. auntie. I've known him ever since
was tiny girl. He was my first boy lover
before mamma died"
''Clarice!n
81 told you so when first met him, but
you didn't seem to hear. hadn't seen him
for years. of course, until he came to the
springs"
But Rosamond said that story was made
up to secure greater freedom"
1T was motif was true. Paul used to
draw me on his hand-sled, and fight about
me, too"
'No doubt" smiled Mrs. Winterfield, ''and
he seems inclined to fight again."
An idea was slowly dawning within Mrs.
Winterfeld's mind which caused her man
ner to grow rather sunny. Why oppose
these two young people! Why not, after
all. rather guide Mr.. Cumberland with gen.
tie discretion in the direction of Miss Rosa.
mondl There might be two weddings in.
stead of one.
Every WE'LL" she said at length, 81 will
send for Mr.. Drexel and see what he has to
say for himself. He ought to be ashamed
to take such course as he has,"
HE was compelled to do it. You would
not recognize him nor listen to me-"
Tut, tut. Clarice, you have said enough.
Go now and stop crying, or your eyes will
| be red at dinner"
| Paul DreXel came promptly at Mrs. Win
terfield's summons. He did not act in the
least ashamed.
Il had to deal with prejudice" he said re-
specially, land chose to deal boldly"
During the interview Mrs. Winterfie..
| alternated between resentment and amuse-
ment She felt at serious disadvantage be-
fore this handsome young giant, who would
say such audacious things in courtly way,
and who did not humble his head even be-
fore her imposing self.
The result was compromise. He was to
feel himself welcome to visit Clarice until
| better acquaintance was established, but
meanwhile the question of an engagement
must lie in allegiance.
Clarice was radiant No one who knew
| him could resist Paul.
Mr.. Cumberland was made acquainted
with the arrangement He blus he'd a win
| try red and trembed little but acquiesced.
Rosamond tried to make amends by grow
INK Q1SnluS anu IcuucT buc was Ridu
to chaperone Clarice and her lover when her
mother was unable to go, provided Mr.. Cum
| berland made one of the party, which he
usually did. They were all upon the most
amiable terms now.
An engagement was finally sanctioned
and then Paul began urging speedy mar
| riage.
His persuasions were successful an day
soon after Easter was fixed upon. Mr.
Cumberland was active in every thing per-
| tanning to the wedding, and playfully ex-
cused his officiousness by calling Clarice his
| ''ward."
The day before the wedding he asked her
to drive with him. During the drive they
stopped at pretty house and he suggested
that they enter it. Clarice hesitated, but he
assured her it was his particular wish.
They found it complete in all its appoint
ments, faultless in taste, and Clarice ad-
mired it generously.
She saw through the ruse and felt en-
boldened to say since he had taken her into
his confidence, ~ am sure fastidious as
Ros almond is, she will be delighted with
every thing
A grim CULVER disturbed the smile on his
| face. but he did not reply.
When they had sufficiently looked it over
Lthey went out, he locking the door behind
them. They halted a moment on the steps.
Suddenly he took her hands in his, laid the
key in it and closed the fingers over it with
fervent pressure.
1t was her house. 1t was a wedding pres
emit.
After the ceremony Mr. Cumberland told
| the bride as he quietly babe her farewell,
that he felt the severity of the Chicago
inf ho6 HE sfranOfh CON sid ORC hlv
! and be should go abroad for a year. Rosa
| mond is waiting now for his return.
c. d. CARDINAL