Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-10-30

and all CIarkS books, papers anu re-
ceipts had been examined, and showed
that no such payment had been made.
at simply means that the very roof
under which we are sheltered is not ours,
but that noble fellows" said Mrs. Vim
cent; and that night she wrote, and
poured forth her heart to him, while
Mabel locked herself in her room.
No answer came. Then Mr.. Woodrow
made inquiries of the officer at the rem
devious, and learned that Capt. Lane
had gone to Europe with leave OF ab-
sence for year; and there her letter fol-
lowed him. She demanded, as right,
to know the truth. She had given the
executors to understand that the debt
must be paid, if they had to sell the
old homestead to do it. She would be
glad to go and live in retirement any
| where.
Not only did she, but so did Mr.. Wood
row, receive at last letter from distant
Athens. The widow sobbed and laughed
and pressed her letter to her heart, while
Woodrow read his with moistened eyes,
a suspicious resort to his cambria hand
kerchief, and an impatient consignment
of all such COMPOUNDED quixotic, unbusi-
ness like cavalrymen TOTO the deuce, by
Jupiter; and then he went off to show 1t
| to his fellow-executors.
The long summer wore away. Au-
tumn again found mother and daughter
and Regy at the dear old home, but light
| and laughter had not been known within
the massive walls since the fathers
death. The tragedy in Mabers life com
ing so quickly after that event seemed
to have left room for naught but mourn
ing. ''She has so aged, SO changed, ,"
wrote Mrs. Vincent, on one OF the few
occasions when she wrote OF her at all
to him, and she wrote every month. 81
could even say that it has improved her.
The old gayety and joyOusness are gone,
| and with them the wilfulneSs. She thinks
more-lives more-for others now"
! Winter came again-the second winter
| of Mabel'S widowhood-and she was
urged to visit the Noels at their distant
| home; but she seemed reluctant until
her mother babe her go. She was still
wearing her widows weeds, and her
| lovely face was never Sweeter in her
girlhood days than now in that frame of
| Grape. OF the brief months of her mar
ried life they never spoke, but the NOels
| loved her because of her devotion to him
when not friend was left. In early
| March the news from home began to
| give her uneasiness; mamma did not
seem WELL" was the explanation, and it
was decided that they would go on as
far as Washington with her, and spend
day OF two there, when Reginald would
meet and escort her home.
And SO, one bright morning in that
most uncertain of months, Mabel Noel
| With her sister-in-law and that lady's
husband stood at the elevator landing,
waiting to be taken down to the hall
way of their hotel. Presently the lighted
cage came sliding from aloft. Mrs.
Lanier entered, followed by the others.
Two gentlemen seated on one side re-
moved their hats, and the next instant,
before she could take her seat, the lady
saw one of them rise, bow and extend
his hand to Mabel, saying, with no little
embarrassment and much access Of color,
something to the effect that this was a
great SURPRISED statement which her
fair siater-in-law evidently could find no
words to contradict, even had she de-
| sired TODD so. Neither of the two seemed
to think of any others who were present.
Indeed, there was hardly time to ask or
answer questions before they had to step
out and give place to people desiring to
ascend, and then the gentleman nearly
tumbled over chair in the awkward
ness of his adieu. Mrs. Noel's face was
averted as they left the hall, but all the
more was Mrs. Lanier DESTROYS of CUES
tioning:
"Who was your friend, Mabel"
And Mabel had to turn or be ungra.
cious. Her face was glowing as she an
swered, simply,
Capt. Lane"
An hour later Mrs. Lanier said to hel
husband:
THAT was the man to whom she was
said to be engaged before Gordon; and
did you see her face?'
Once again they met-this time at the
entrance to the dining room; and there
Capt. Lane bowed gravely to "my sis
ter, Mrs. Lanier-Mr. Lanier," when hi
was presented. The lady seemed distant
and chilling. The man held out hi;
hand and said, "Fm glad to know you
captain. wish you could dine Will
u.s." But Lane had dined and twas going
out.
The third day came and no Reginald
Expecting him every moment, Mabel de
clined to go with her friends on a shop
ping tour, and was seated in her room
thinking when there came tap at the
door; a card for Mrs. Noel, and the gen
tleman begged to see her in the parlor
Her color heightened as she read the
name. Her heart beat futteringly a
she descended the stairs. He was stand
} ing close by the door. but he took hel
J hand and led her to the window at theil
right.
"You have news-from mammar' sh'
cried. "Ten me-instantlyp
MIR. Woodrow thinks it best that yot
should come, Mrs. Noel; and she has sen
for me- Reginald went directly Yves
last night. Will you trust yourself t.
my care? and can you be ready for tn
next train-in two hours?
Ready She could go instantly. Wa
there no train sooner? She implored hin
to tell if her mothers illness was fatal
He could only say that Mrs. Vincent ha'
been quite suddenly seized; and yet the.
hoped she would rally. Mabel wept un
restrainedly, upbraiding herself bitterl.
for her dilstory journey; but she wa
ready, and had gained composure whel
it was time to start. Mrs. Lanier's fare
!, | rrn1l 1rnS sornnuhat strained hr1t fh