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

ever, on the road thither, in order to
pass stationer's shop which displayed
in the window a COLLECTION of photo
craps of theatrical and other notabih-
ties of the day, and there he had the
grim satisfaction of beholding a like
ness Of the lady who had been mentioned
by Mr.. Carlow. She was a young per-
son of prominent type of beauty, and
Mr.. Brown shuddered as he gazed upon
her meretricious charms. He resolved
on the spot that ne would make any
pecuniary sacrifice in order to release
his unhappy son from the tolls OF this I'M
desirable siren, and his subsequent
meditation partook rather of the nature
of lamentation than OF dellberatlon
upon his course Of action.
But he, nevertheless, carefully re-
hearsed in his own mind, in the privacy
of his official sanctum, the line OF ar
gument which he should take with the
young lady, and, having done this and
put a roll of bank notes in his pocket,
he sailed forth to Brompton, full Of
sturdy resolution, and not without
faint hope that young Carlow's lnforma-
ton might prove exaggerated.
He was relieved to find, on reaching
Miss Lola Bells address, that the young
lady was within, and, having, with some
trepidation, given his assumed name of
! Templemore. he was ushered into q
daintily furnished sitting room, where
he found his hostess gracefully reclin-
ing on sofa, reading a yellow-backed
novel and smoking a fragrant cigarette.
| If old Mr.. Brown was not unnatur-
ally. confused at finding himself in the
presence of this ruddy-haired divinity,
the latter seemed also somewhat discon-
certed at the appearance OF her visitor,
| for she fixed her lustrous eyes upon him
with a startled expression, and furtively
dropped the cigarette into bowl of gold
! fish.
I've called to speak to you on the
subject of-of a namesake of miHe,
said old Mr.. Brown, cautiously.
''Are you his father?" inquired the
beauty, assuming a less neglige atti-
tude.
"Yes, 1 am his father" said Mr..
Brown, taking his cue.
''He has told you, l suppose, that he
wants me to marry him, said Miss Bell
/ in her most dulcet tones.
Il have called to convince you
ma lam, that such marriage is eut OF
the question, returned old Mr.. brown
turning very red, but speaking with
considerable firmness.
why, may l ask?" inquired tho lady
sharply.
Because, madam, " replied Mr.Jirown
wisely controlling his temper; my soI
is not in a position to maintain wife
Besides which he is very young-a mere
boy"
But I'm not very DID," retorted the
lady.
''No, you are young enough, and
will add, with your permission, beau
tiful enough, to do good deal better
for yourself than that" returned thu
willy old diplomatist.
Where the heart is engaged, Mr.
Templemore, poor girl does not Away
consider her own interests" said thu
lady, with gentle heave of her bosom
There is vast difference, madam
between self-interest and absolutely sui
cidaI imprudence, said old Mr.. Brown
impressively. IF you marry my son
you marry a pauper, and OF that L give
YOU due and solemn warming"
''You are very unkind," said thu
beauty, making a little ''moue' ant
brushing a lace handkerchief light.
across her eyes. 81 call it brutal"
ION the other hand" resumed tn
old gentleman, watching her anxiously
and gaining considerable encouragement
from his observation, eff you will Civ
him his congo, and promise not to MARI,
him, might, perhaps, ahem!-make l
worth your while"
"How much?" murmureo Vne beaut.
between her vermilliOn lips, as sh
gazed at her visitor with bewitchin!
smile of languid interest.
"Well-ahem!-y question is rathe
abrupt, said the old gentlemen, scarcel
less scandalized than delighted at tn
lady's evident heartlessness. May | in
quire what guarantee l shall have-suI
posing we came to an arrangement
that you will carry out your part??"
What is a guarantee?' I'll sign an
papers you like, said the lady artleSSly
and I'll start off for Paris tomorrow.
without letting my son know wher
you have gomez" said Mr.. Brown, anz
iously.
''La! yes. don't want to have ro'
with him. hate rows" said the lady
gently.
And his letters?" inquired the oil
gentleman, overjoyed at the success
his negotiations.
I've never kept them. If find an
anywhere about you shall have 'em, an
, welcome" said his fair companion, care
, lesslv opening one after another tn
drawers of an adjacent escritoire.
These preliminaries having been a
ranged, the only question that RENAME
, to be settled was the all-important on
of the amount of the douceur. Thi
gave rise to a somewhat animated-nC
to say heated-discuSsion and old Nj
Brown was not little startled by tn
: extortionate nature of the lady's d.
mands. But this trait of her amiabl
character, much as it disguised hin
! served to render him the more anxiou
| TO complete the bargain by deeply in
| pressing him with his adversary's III
scrupulousness. In his anxiety to d.
I liver his son. and-indirectly-hi
: from her clutches, he permitted himse
: to be bled pretty freely, but he'had tn
T satisfaction. when he finally took h
d departure of carrying away with him,
addition to a written undertaking
Miss Lola Bells classic hand, fir
conviction that she was not likely
encourage Jacks attentions any more.