Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-11-13

| dinner or tea. Il IS true that his converse
| ton was chiefly with the Colonel concern
ing war matters, and what had been, and
what was to come, etc.
Dick had just joined Boughton's regi-
ment, and the Colonel was as anxious to
know all about him as though he had been
in several engagements, whereas he had
not been in any. He came jingling down
The Colonel swore extensively when he
heard about IL all, and called Priddie some
very ugly names, which gave the soul Of
BOughtOn infinite comfort. He vowed, more
over, that he would not rest in his four-post
bed until that bull was made into beef.
''And CAD if wouldn't like to make that
d fool eat every square inch of himr' he
ended, thunGerously, listing the table until
the spoons and glasses gave tongue shriIly.
Boughton did not see Judith alone after
! that for more than a week. 1t was within
ten days of Christmas, and she was end
lessly occupied about something or other.
But she found time, however, to give him
| plenty Of smiles and gay words in passing.
| And he had sent to New York for some
thing which he knew that she very much
wanted, so that altogether, though tanta-
| lizing, it was not very unpleasant. Philip,
| moreover, was rather anxious TO lind out
| whether he was only pretty deeply smitten,
| or very much in love, and he thus found
time to discuss that momentous question
with his inner man-that individual who Is
| always such a loose or tight fit for his outer
representative.
OF course the Colonel had insisted upon
| his remaining until Christmas; and he was
| to hang up his stocking, of cOurse-ha! hal
And there should be some young folks,
and bonfres, and what not. Also, there
were some sleighs sent up from Richmond,
and the place was literally resonant with
the voices of expectant nigs, big and little.
On Christmas Eve, however, BouGhton
managed to find her alone, although Dick
had arrived, and she seemed buster than
ever.
He was going along the corridor to his
| room, when he caught glimpse Of her
through the half-open door of little paneied
room, which she called her Tea Caddy."
She was standing on the gray deer-skln rug
before the fire, in the cream white trock he
liked, and wearing the Identical blue beads
and bow which he remembered so well. Her
feet were sunk out of sight in the thick fur,
but he fancied that she spOrted the bronze
shoes.
There was a glisten in her eyes which
Boughton did not think was all freight,
and she clmkcd the beads of her necklace
hurriedly together.
do let me come in" he SAID, pushing the
door further open.
She looked up vaguely, as though from q
dream, and said: Certainly" So in he
went, shutting the door behind him. 1t was
pretty room, with much blue chintz on
windows and furniture, and many hunting
traps about. There were two old chairs on
either side of the fireplace, which could
have held six Judiths apiece, and in one of
these she now placed herself, still keeping
her hand on the beads at her throat.
Boughton sat down on the rug at her feet,
Turk fashion, and took his crossed ankles
into u capable grasp.
~ never saw half such pretty room"
he remarked, looking about him. Its you,
Judith, all over again"
is it.' she said, s:Iil in that absent fash
ion; and then added, Win Il sort of laugh:
Eyes, it is rather blue