Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-01-23
that Mr. Carlow had slso disappeared

that Mr.. Carlow had slso disappeared
without any notice to his employers,
and the combination of perplexing cir
cumstances not unnaturally caused old
Mr.. Brown to wonder uneasily whether
they had any connection with one an
other.
Whatever the explanation of it all was,
poor Mr.. Brown was forced TO remain in
a state of justification and increasing
perturbation for several days, during
which he heard nothing of his son or of
Mr.. Carlow either; but one fine after
noon, on returning to his Office after
short absence, he found Master Jack
seated in his private room, looking so
pale and nervous that he instinctively
guessed thatsome unpleasant revelation
was in store.
1--WE called, father, to say that 1 am
quite willing to come into your busi-
ness" said Jack, after they had ex-
changed a hurried greeting.
so. indeed You have some very good
reason for the request, no doubt" said
the old gentleman, prompted by an ir-
resistible presentment, Where have
you been?"
son my honeymoon" answered Mas
ter Jack, as unblushingly as possible.
Really. Have the pleasure of know
ing the lady?'' inquired old Mr.. Brown,
turning ominously white and beginning
| to tremble.
81 know that she promised you never
to marry me-" said Jack, raising his
voice and speaking firmly, "but 1 over
persuaded her. She is an orphan, and
was left alone in the world"
IAN orphan! Don't talk that nonsense
to me. sir. I'm afraid that I'm better
acquainted with yonr wife's character
! than You are" cried old Mr.. Brown,
commencing to grow purple in the face,
as he extracted document from his
coat pocket with a furious gesture.
Read that, sir, though l expect you
know all about it,"
what on earth is this about? Lola
what? Lola Belln' exclaimed Jack.
glancing at the paper with bewildered
expression.
''Stay. Give me that back, Jack, >
cried his father, hastily snatching the
paper away from him. Don't stand
staring there. Tell me who you have
married"
why, l thought you understood. We
were talking just now of Amy Marsh
land" said Jack.
"Amy Marshland," cried his father,
subsiding into his chair with sort OF
spasm of unspeakable relief.
But Jack, misunderstanding the cause
of his parents emotion, proceeded with
all the eloquence at his command to eX'
cuse his conduct and to plead for for
giveness and by the time he had fin
ished, old Mr.. Brown had risen to the
occasion.
"Well, my boy, you have given me
shock, but Wen say no more about 1t
After all, you might have done worse
Thank God! you have married lady
and if you are prepared to settle down
and come into the business"
"a thousand thanks, father! cried
Jack. graspirg the old mans hand with
delighted fervor. "By the way, why
did you refer to Lola Bell just now?'
he added, unsuspiciously. 'Have yor
heard the story?"
The story. What story?" inquired
old Mr.. Brown, guiltily crushing thu
discriminating paper IN his hand.
about Stephen Carlow. You re
member Stephen? 1t appears that h
wanted to marry Lola Bell, and in ordel
to raise money he prevailed upon al
old uncle of his r. pay the woman
large sum on the faith of some cock-aad
bull story or other. Lola entered int
the plot, but when she got the none.
she bolted to Paris with somebody else
Stephen followed in a frantic state o
rage, and there was an awful row o.
the boulevards the other night. It's il
all the papers. Poor Stephen is locke
up in a French prison for assault AM
-
''Serves him right. 1t sounds uncoul
monty like a swindle interposed Nh
Brown, who had turned unaccountabl
red during the recital. 81 hope they'll
keep him in the French prison, and tn
woman, too. Anyway, if he comes owe
here again, forbid you to speak to him
Jack-now, mind thatn'-London Truth