Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-04-24

!
hers so dark and rich in coloring, his
so fair and massive and strong-came
rather too close together for the equa-
nimity of Capt. Belknap, who had es-
saved to take hand at whist in the par
| lor.
One or two of the ladies, also, were
| silent observers of the scene-silent as to
the scene because, being in conversation
at the time with brother officers Of Lieut..
Perry, they were uncertain as yet how
comments on his growing Irritation might
be received. That their eyes should oc-
| casionslly wander towards the hammock
and then glance with sympathetic sig
nificance at those of some fair ally and
intimate was natural enough. But when
it became presently apparent that Mrs.
Belknap was actually unfastening the
little silken braid that had hung on Ned
Perry's cap ever since the day of his ar
rival-all the while, too, looking shyly
up in his eyes as her fingers worked;
when it was seen that she presently de-
tached it from the button and then, half
hesitatingly, but evidently in compliance
with his wishes, handed it to him; when
he was seen to toss il carelessly-even
contemptuously-aw and then bend
down lower, as though gazing into her
shaded eyes, Mrs. Lawrence could stand
it no longer.
"Mr. Graham" said she, isn't your
friend, Mr.. Perry, something of fiirtT'
"Who?-Ned?" asked Mr.. Graham, in
well feigned amaze and with sudden
glance towards the object of his inquiry.
"Iow on earth should 1 know anything
about it? OF course you do not seek ex-
pert testimony in asking me. He tries, l
suppose, to adapt himself to circum-
stancess But why do you askf"
Because l see that he has been Undue
ing Mrs. Belknap to take off that little
tassel on the button of his cap. He has
worn it when off duty ever since he
came; and we supposed it was something
he cherished; know she did"
Graham broke forth in peal of merry
laughter, but gave no further reply, for
Just then the colonel and the doctor left
their chairs, and, sauntering over to the
hammock, brought mighty relief to Bel
KNAPP at the whist table and vexation of
spirit to his pretty wife. The Irritation
was broken at most interesting point,
and Perry, rising suddenly, came over
and Joined Mrs. Lawrence.
If she expected to see him piqued or
annoyed at the interruption and some
what perturbed in manner, she was
greatly mistaken. Nothing could have
been more sunshiny and jovial than the
greeting he gave her. A laughing apol-
ogy to Graham for spelling his tete-a-
tete was accomplished in a moment, and
then down by her side he satand plunged
into a merry description of his expert
ences at dinner, where he had been
placed next to the chaplain's wife on the
one hand. and she had been properly ag
grieved at his attentions to Mrs. Belknap
on the other.
"YOu must remember that Mrs. Wells
is very strict Presbyterian. Mr.. Perry;
and, for that matter. none of us have
seen dinner such as the colonel gave us
this evening for ever and ever so long.
We are quite unused to the ways of
civilization; whereas you nave just come
from the east-and long leave. Perhaps
it is the fashion to be all devotion to
ones next door neighbor at dinner"
Not if she be as repellent and veneer
able as Mrs. Wells, assure you. Why,
/ thought she would have been glad to
leave the table when, after having re-
fused sherry aud Pontet-Canct for up
wards of an hour, her glass was filled
with champagne when she happened to
be looking the other way"
1T is the first dinner of the kind she
has ever seen here, Mr.. Perry, and !
don't suppose either Mr.. or Mrs. Wells
has been up so late before in years. He
would have enjoyed staying and watch
| ing whist, but she carried him off almost
as soon rs we left the table. Our society
has been very dull, YOU know-only our
selves at the post all this last year, and
nobody outside of it.
Zone would suppose that with all this
magnificent cattle range there would be
some congenial people ranching near
you. Are there none at all"
Absolutely none! There are some
ranches down in the Washita country,
but only one fine one near us; and that
might as well be on the other side of the
Atlantic. No one from there ever
comes here; and DR.. Quin is the only
living soul in the garrison who ever got
within the walls of that ranch. What
he saw there he positively refuses to tell,
despite all our entreaty."
"You don't tell me there's a ranch
with mystery here near Rossiter" ex-
claimed Mr.. Perry, with sudden interest.
"Why, 1 do, indeed! Is it possible
you have been here two whole weeks
and haven't heard of Dunraven Ranch?"
1--WE heard there was such thing; l
saw it from distance when out hunting
the other day. But what's the mystery
what's the matter with it,
That's what we all want to know
and cannot find out. Now, there is an
exploit worthy your energy and best
efforts, Mr.. Perry. There is a big,
wealthy, we'll stocked ranch, the finest
homestead buildings, we are told, in all
this part of Texas. They say it is beau
| tifully furnished-that it has a fine
library, a grand piano, all manner of
things indicative of culture and refine
ment among its occupants-but the own
er only comes around once or twice a
year, and is an iceberg of an English
man. All the people abo:t the ranch
are English, too, and the most repellent,
bOorish, discourteous lot of men you ever
saw. When the Eleventh were here
they did everything they could to be
civil to them, but not an invitation
would they accept, not one would they
| extend: and so from that daY to this