Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-12-25

'.Weil, my dear, tie amount of it all
is they mean no harm, and they've heard
so many stories about the Marana's adj
ventures that they feel justified in try
ing to find out what she's made of. The
ssct is, you know, she's said to be a little
hazarde- dangerous soon ruin man
as look at him, and you mustact out the
character"
"Do you mean that 1 should pretend
10 be anything that is not-good?
'tOh! no, no-not that, of course!
Only sort of give-and-take, ive-and-
let-live style-that's what you want"
eff they think am different from
what am, in any bad way" continued
Beatrix, 81 will either tell them who /
am or give up the whole thing" Her
voice trembled.
"Now my good little prima donna,
don't yea say anything so foolish!" sad
Jocelyn, taking her hand in his and pat
ting it. Come, you know me, don't
you? and you know whether or not
Hamilton Jocelyn would permit any
one to insult you? Very well, then;
you're as safe, if the worst comes to the
worst. as if you were sealed up in the
center of the pyramid of Cheops! But
what l want you to learn is to hare
courage-to hold your own bravely, and
not to be too squeamish about what the
people you meet with say and do. The
world always seems queer and little
disagreeable when one is first broush-
in contact with it-fun of people not
a bit like our quiet folks out in the
country. But we can't change the
world, can we? All we can do is
TO take things as they are, and make the
best of it. If we are all right nothing
can really hurt US. But we must have
courage, we mustn't be afraid, we
mustn talk of giving up! We must be
a little woman of the world. Every
woman must be who intends to accom-
plish anything, let alone to make such a
reputation as lies before you. It's lit
tie freemasonry we all have to learn,
nothing more; and, as 1 said, though
you won't love me-naughty child!-yet
you can't help trusting your fathers old
friend; and as matter of course you
will come to me if you get into any real
scrape. shall be only too ready to as
sist you; but don't want to seem Off
cious either to you or to others, and
want you to fight your own way as much
as possible at first. 1t will make it all
the easier for you. hereafter. Don't let
yourself be put upon, of course, but
don't altogether forget that you're the
Mariana either. If you manage it clev-
erly her name ought to be help to You
rather than the contrary"
'In what way?"
''Oh, the sharper the fight the sooner
over, you know, and the more decisive"
said Jocelyn, laughing. eyes, it is an
advantage in every way. If yGA were
entered in the lists in your own name,
with your father and all your friends to
fall back on, you would be falling back
all the time. You would be trusting to
their strength instead Of to your own.
But since you're alone you'll discover
your own force, and make it evident to
the others into the bargain.
'But will not papa live in the hotel |
with me?'
'My gracious, nor' exclaimed joe
Ign, lifting his hands inhalf playful con-
sternation. I'm the eyes of the VOID,
remember he's nothing but resp Il |
able old gentleman, in no sort of way re-
ated to you. To have him in atte al
ance on you would be most-what s. IL
[ say?-inexpedient; and if it led TO
nothing else, it might lead to his ue
being found out. No, ION
may see him occasionally, of course, Ut
IN the same footing as any other cha &c
Ha, hal You wOuli 1t
want to compromise your own fatt 4r
would you? not to speak of being com
by himr
"Well, certainly am alone!" said
3eatrix gravely.
In appearance, yes; but so long IS
Hamilton Jocelyn is alive you'll have. an
resource"
81 should compromise you as weIl,"
aid she, looking at him fixedly. He
made laughing gesture of depreciation.
"Oh, don't be afraid of that! I'm
,nown; everybody understands me! We
an do no possible harm to each other.
It's an understood thing that 1 stand
Godfather to all prime dome on their
ntry into New York society. You nay
afely refer to me as an old friend or all
occasions. And, by the by, I've takeD
he liberty to do you bit of service al
eady. You need companion, and I've
,een so lucky as to secure just the per-
on. She's an English lady, daughter of
clergyman; I've known her for years;
n excellent creature; really lady of
.reat refinement and experience, and
axe perfect care of you, and keep you
'osted about everything you ought to
10 and all that sort of thing. l have let
Ter into the secret, the only other per-
ons who know it being your father,
nigo, and myself. The idea is, of
curse, that she's been living with you
N the continent, and all that sort of
hing. Nine. Bemax, she'll be here to-
morrow morning. You'll be certain to
Ike her immensely"
''Well, what must be, must, 1 sup
ose," said Beatrix, folding her hands in
er lap and looking down. cit does
eem hopeless to think of going back
ow have come so far. But if I had
Understood beforehand" She
aused, but went on after a mon mt.
1 seem to be living in the midst of false
GODS, and it seems to me that thai is
lore likely to take away courage than
D give it."
"Pooh, pooh! things viii very soon
hake down, and then in everything but
anna Won can ha mora voTrcalf than ! 1