Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-05
CHAPTER ".

tremulous tones: 81 can never, never fl
her place in your heart, am sure"
CHAPTER ".
"No," he answered, gravely taking her
hand in his, ''no one could do that; she, my
first love, holds sacred shrine in my heart
that none else can occupy; but, my wife, you
can fill your own place, and that is fast be-
coming a dear one" He drew her to him,
and, placing his arm about her waist,
pressed his first kiss upon her lips in the
presence of the smiling face looking down
benignly upon them.
Love; it was the first time the subject
had been approached since their first meet
ing, and Isabel wondered what love would
be like when it came. She had dreamed of
love. What girl has not, and thought of it
as turbulent, Overmasterng passion, un-
bounded by reason or common sense. At
least that was the version of it given by the
story-writers, and she was positive there
was no such emotion in her heart for Mr..
FalcOner.
He was simply friend-a kind, true gen.
tleman-who had rescued her from her try
ing life of poverty, and brought her to all
these delightful things, and she respected
him above all men whom she had ever seen.
Friends may exchange a kiss, and she
raised her lips to his without tremor, and
hoped for the day when kisses might be a
symbol Of a sweeter, deeper feeling than
friendship.
''Mrs. Montford" Isabel was seated in
an easy rocker in the housekeeper's room
''Mr. Falconer has given me permission to
fit up one of the rooms to suit my own taste,
and have come to you for assistance, as of
course | wish to consult his tastes also, and
you have lived with HIM so many years
that you must know him well. 1t is to be
an evening room, where we can meet for
quiet rest after the day is over, and wish
it to be thoroughly restful and cozy."
Eyes, ma'am, l think 1 see what you
WISH" said Mrs. Montford, with her little
courtesy. She liked this new Mrs. Fal-
coner, with her quiet ways, so far removed
from haughtiness or patronage, though
with the rest of the family below stairs
she had alittle natural curiosity in regard to
the sudden marriage; she checked it per-
emptorily in the servants under her, and
she was by far too well bred to express it.
by word or look, in herself, yet she could
not help seeing that their relations were
quite different from those Of the first Mrs
Falconcr, whom she had tenderly loved,
with her husband.
In certain sense this pleased her, for it
would have hurt her to see another taken
at once into the tender companionship en-
joyed by the first wife
Mr.. Falconer likes bright, rich colors,
ma'am," she said, thoughtfully, shut he
despises fashionable fancy work" and she
smiled at the popularity. ''The first Mrs.
Falconer never did any of it. Have you
seem" and she stopped, fearing that she
had touched on forbidden ground.
Yes" replied Isabel, gently, reading
her thought; 81 have seen it, and it is very
lovely and touching"
Then, ma'am, you have some guide as to
MIR. Falconer's tastes,' replied Mrs. Mont
ford; ''only, of course, you would not follow
that as model too closely. Mrs. Falconer
always had blooming plants in her room.
but they would not bloom for me after she
was gone, and gave up trying to care for
them there" Tears came in her honest
blue eyes as she spoke, and she wiped them
away with the corner of her ample white
apron.
Mrs. Falconer must have been a rarely
sweet and loyeable lady" said Isabel. sin
cerely and feelingly. ct do not wonder that
she was so well beloved,
Thank you for saying it." The words
formed new link in the chain of Mrs.
Montford's kindly feelings toward the new
wife. 1T does you honor, ma'am, to be
willing TO give the first wife her place in
our hearts. So many ladies that l have
known that seemed to think the first wife
should be forgotten out of respect to the
second"
Oh! no, no, Mrs. Montford.n cried Isa-
bel, with earnestness. Il should despse
myself could cherish such feeling, and I
honor Mr.. Falconer and yourself far more
than could had you suffered YOUR love for
so sweet lady to give way to the claims of
stranger. True, hope to be loved and
respected by you, also, but not at the ex-
pense OF your loyalty to herr" and, rising.
she offered her hand impulsively to the
housekeeper, who took it in friendly clasp
which came from the heart, now completely
won over to her by the few simple, woman
" words.
lwlshed to speak TO you also in regard
70 Oracle" she continued. 81 should not
olanie you at all if you felt some natural
Jealousy upon being called upon so unex-
Pectedly to give the child over to the care Of