Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-08-14

rent. How much and how devotedly be
loved her Lane himself never realized
until the day Of his promotion reached
him, and with it the news that his sue
cessor was already designated. He knew
that within the week he might expect
orders from the war department to join
his troop at Fort Graham as soon as be
had turned over his funds and property
to the officer designated to relieve him;
he knew Noel so well as to feel assured
that he would not wait for the arrival of
formal orders, but, if the colonel would
permit, would start the instant he re-
ceived Geographic notification from
Washington that 'Old Riggs" nomina-
ton had been approved. "This is We'd
nesday," he unused; "and by week
from today can count on his being
here; and in ten days must CO."
There was large party that night,
and, fully week before, he had asked
that he might have the honor of being
Miss Vincent's escort. 1t was with great
disappointment that he received her an
swer, which was spoken, however, in a
tone of such sorrow that poor Lane felt
that the barbs, at least, of the arrow had
been removed
81 don't know how to tell you how l
regret having to say No. Mr.. Lane"
she said, and there was tremor in her
voice and a little culver at the corners Of
her pretty mouth. 81 have almost felt
confident that you were going to ask me
is that Il very bold thing to say?-for
you have been $3.50 kind to me since
our first meeting, and indeed wanted
IN some way to let you know that there
we're other arrangements already made.
But how could say anything? Mr.. Ros-
sitter. the eldest son of fathers former
partner, comes to pay us visit of four
or five days before he goes abroad again
And he is Il great friend of the Chiltons,
and, being our guest, he goes with me-
Indeed, I'm very sorry. Mr.. Lane, if you
are disappointed.
Fred, of course, begged thatshe should
give herself no uneasiness. There was
no other girl whom he had thought Of
taking. Mr.. Rossiter was very much to
be envied, and he would like to call and
pay his respects to that gentleman when
he arrived. by all means do" said Miss
Vincent; and, if not asking too much,
would Mr.. Lane get him card at the
club? Brother Rex was away, or she
wouldn't trouble him. But Lane was
delighted to be troubled. Anything she
asked-any service he could render her
he flew with untold eagerness to accom-
plish; and, though properly jealous of
the coming man-this Mr.. RosSiter, of
whom he had never before heard men
tion-he was eager to meetand entertain
him. The gentleman was to arrive on
Monday, and Lane spent delightful
evening at the Vincen 1s', wondering why
he hadn't come Tuesday would surely
bring him, or an explanation, said Miss
Mabel; and on Tuesday Lane was prompt
to call, and glad to spend another long
evening at the hospitable old homestead,
and stoutly did he hold his ground
through three successive relays Of visi-
tors, encouraged to do so by certain
look in his lady's bright eyes that spoke
volumes to his throbbing heart, and that
very next morning at the club he found
her dainty missive on his breakfast
table
How early she must haverise to write |
it!-and to have seen the announcement |
Of his promotion in the Washington dis
patches! True, he remembered that it !
was frequently her pleasure to be up be-
tines to give her father his coffee; for
Vincent pere was business man of the |
I'D school, who liked to begin early in
the day. Of course he had seen the name |
n the Washington news and had read
he paragraph to her; that was the way
% account for it. But her note was a
oy to him in its sweet, half shy, half
confidential wording. She merely wrote
% say that Mr.. Rossiter had wired that
lie would be detained in New York until
he end of the week; and now, if Capt.
Iane had really made no engagement,
he would be glad indeed if he cared to
enew the invitation which with such re-
ret she was compelled week ago to
lecline. Lane totally forgot his break
asst in his haste to rush to the writing
DOM and send her a reply.
All "The Queen City, had been quick
o see or hear of his Sudden smite" and
onsequent devotion to Mabel Vincent,
nd great was the speculation as to the
result.
'How can she encourage him as she
oes? What can she see in that solemn
rig?" Indignantly demanded Miss Fanny
lotion, who had shown marked inter-
st in Mr.. Lane during his first six
lonths in society and had danced with
i'm all through the season. HE is one
the forlornest, stupidest men I ever
new-utterly unlike what I supposed a
avalry officer to be-"
"And yet, Fanny dear, you were very
luch taken up with him the first winter
last year, mean," was the reply of
er most devoted and intimate friend.
what an outrageous fib! wasn't,
nd, if 1 was, it was because wanted
, draw him out-do something to en- !
ven him. Of course danced with him
great deal. There isn't better dancer
| town, and you know it, Maud; you've
I'D so yourself time and again. !
"Well, you didn't draw him out-nor
i. But the moment he sees Mabel Vim
mt he falls heels over head in love with
er. Why, never saw man whose
rery look and word so utterly gave
IN away" was Miss Mauds character 3
tic and slangy reply. "And it's my be- 3
If she'll take him, too. She likes him G.
ell, and she says he knows more than
~ other man she has ever met. =,
'He has money, too, and can resign e
I'd live here if she wants him to" went n
/ Miss Maud after pause which, oddly 81
IOuOh her friend had not taken advan- 81