Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-01-23

Carlow, who was a weak-eyed. beardless
young man, with a receding chin and a
propensity for giggling, apparently re-
garded the old gentleman's parental anx-
iety as an excellent joke, and chuckled
for several minutes before he could find
words to reply.
$50 you've heard of it at last, have
you, Mr.. BROWNE" inquired the young
man, as soon as he could speak.
''Rumors have reached my ears" said
the old gentleman, greatly startled.
''What have you heard, eh?" inquired
young Carlow, abruptly.
"Well, nothing definite. / should be
very much obliged to you if you will
tell me every thing. You will be doing
a real service to your friend" said Mr..
Brown, earnestly.
''Shan though? Perhaps he may not
think so" said the young man, sagely,
as he contemplated his hosts anxious
cOuntenance with humorous glance.
HE shall never know. 1 give you
nv word of honor that / will not men,
ton your name" cried the old gentle
man, who could scarcely control his
nervous excitement.
THAT won't quite do, either. You
got me into a row once before, Mr..
Brown. l told you something in eon-
idence, and Jack at once guessed ware
you got it from. No, hang me if III say
a word. said Mr.. Carlow, with sudden
seriousness, evidently strongly moved
by some unpleasant Renaissance.
81 will comply with whatever condt-
ton you like to make" said Mr.. Brown,
lingering his cigar nervously.
I'll tell you what; promise that you
won't say any thing IL Jack about the
matter. There are moro ways than one
of killing cat. Your best chance of
stopping this little affair is to get at the
lady," said Mr.. Carlow, with knowing
wink
Every well, promise" laid Mr..
Brown, trembling at the mention of the
substantive feminine.
''Its Lola Bell he's gone upon.
you've heard that, SUPPOSE" sad
Mr.. Carlow.
'Who is Lola Bell?" inquired the old
gentleman, setting his teeth.
Lola Bell Don't you know? Why,
you can see her photo in all the shop
windows" said Mr.. Carlow, little con-
temptuously. "A celebrated actress, OF
course"
80, that is the lady, is it? Lola Bell"
said Mr.. Brown, endeavoring to speak
calmly.
/ THAT is her name at present, but
Jack is so gone on her that she may be
Mrs Jack Brown by this time, for all
know" said Mr.. Carlow. airilY.
Good heavens! You don'tmean to say
that he has married her?" cried Jacks
unfortunate parent.
''No, l don't think so, really" said
Mr.. Carlow, with deliberation. "But
he will"
''He shan't," said Mr.. Brown, desper
ately.
"There is only one way to prevent it, >
returned Mr.. Carlow. IF you like tc
leave it to me, Mr.. Brown, think l car
manage it."
YOU exclaimed Mr.. Brown, perhap:
a trifie contemptuOusly.
Eyes, me. I've seen something of the
world, and l know how those things are
done. It's a question of squaring," SAID
Mr.. Carlow, lowering his voice.
''Oh! you mean that you think the
the lady can be bribed," said old Mr.
Brown, with CLEAN of hope.
IN manage it if you give me carte
blanche, Mr.. Brown" replied Mr.. Car
low, with easy confidence. But it's ;
delicate business, and expect she viii
open her mouth pretty wide"
"What sort of fgure?" inquired Mr.
Brown, cautiously.
''It might be five thou" said Mr.. Car
low, blowing a cloud of smoke, ant
watching it with an distracted expires
sion.
Five thousand pounds! Preposter
Gus" exclaimed the old gentleman.
Il say it might be; but daresay cal
make her listen to reason, returned llT
Carlow Anyhow, you can rely upol
my getting you off as cheap as possible.
Old Mr. Browns business instincts be
ing fully aroused by the turn the con
verSation had taken, he began to recove
from the state of nervous eXcitemen
into which he had been thrown by MI
Carlow's news, and to reflect with tolel
able calmness on the situation. His frs
impulse had been to avail himself of hi
young friends proffered services, but
few minutes consideration caused hir
to abandon the idea. He did not doub
Mr.. Stephens honesty and good inter
lions, but he had no reason to feel conf
| hr1s
ity, Beside which, it occurred to Hill
that possibly young Carlow might b
equally wrong in his surmises as
Jacks intentions and the lady's nature
There might be no question of marriag
between them, or, in any case, Miss Lol
Bell might be open to the convictio
that by marrying penniless, disinhel
tied young man she would be actin
foolishly in her own interests. In shor
Mr.. Brown concluded that he could cor
duct the negotiations himself at least a
well as his young friend, and he there
fore said at length:
81 really don't think that l nee
trouble you, Mr.. Carlow. II you wi
give me the lady's address 1 will ca
upon hes.'
Mr.. Stephen Carlow looked so startle
and disconnected by this announcement
that for a single instant he inspired hi
companion with vague feeling of doul
and mistrust; but he said at length, wit
+ q careless laugh:
''All right! don't want to interfere
: Mr.. Brown, but let me give you tip
lar ont xx-hn T-nrr arn'r
"Why?" inquired the old gentleman
Jack thought it prudent for fear tn
matter should come TO your ears, to ca
> himself Templemore, or some sue
: name. Yes, I'm sure it is Templemor