Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-08-28

In the three days that followed the
Iransfer of funds and property at the re-
-ruiting rendezvous took place, and Mr..
Noel stepped in. vice Lane, relieved and
ordered to join his regiment. The for
mer was having a delightful time. A
guest of the wealthy Witherses could not
long be stranger within their gates to
the Queen citizens, and every afternoon
and evening found him enjoying hospi-
talities of the most cordial character. At
the club he had already become hail-fel-
low with all the younger element, and
had made himself decidedly popular
among the elders, and every man who
had not met that jolly Capt. Noel was
eager to be presented to him. He was
ready for pool, billiards, bowling or
drink the moment hegot within the state
ly doorway; and, as he sang, whistled,
laughed, chatted and cracked innumera-
bic jokes during the various games, was
acapital mimic, and could personate Pat,
Hans or Crapaud with telling effect, his
presence was pronounced by every one
as better than q solid week of sunshine
something the Queen City rarely, if
ever, experienced.
Poor Lane, on the contrary, was near
ly worrying his heart out. He had gone
TO the Vincents' the very evening on
which he had seen the father Of the
family of for New York, and had
nerved himself to put his fortune to the
test-to tell her Of his deep and devoted
love and to ask her to be his wife. That
she well knew he loved her, without
being told, he felt sure must be the case;
but, beyond belief that she liked and
trusted him, the captain had not the
faintest idea as to the nature Of her feel
ings towards him. he was a modest
fellow, as has been said. His glass told
him that, despite pair Of clear gray
eyes and decidedly soldierly cut to his
features, he was not what women called
handsome man; and, what was more,
there were little strands of gray just be-
ginning to show about his broad fore
head and in the heavy moustache that
shaded his mouth. Lane sighed as he
remembered that he was In his seth year.
How could she care for him-ffteen
bell that night and felt once more that
bis heart was beating even as it did at
o'clock when he was ushered into the
awful presence of her father.
Miss Vincent has not left her room
today, and is not well enough to come
down tonight, sir" said the servant who
came to the door, land Mrs. Vincent
hno 10 No =
Mabel's needing her"
IL am very, very sorry" stammered
the captain. Please say that Mr.. Lane
called" they had known him so well for
two months as Mr.. Lane that he could
not yet refer to himself by his new title),
''and-and would call again tomorrow,
hoping to hear Miss Vincent was much
better"
And then, detected and miserable, and
yet with something akin to the feeling
one experiences when going 30 dentists
to have tooth drawn and the dreaded
wielder Of the forcers proves to be away,
Lane retreated down the broad stone
steps until he reached the walk, gazed
up at the dim light in the window which
AtO 1HouS AS UNCUT NC HcEsI AuaIHemaCl10u
himself for his lack Of self possession in
not having asked whether there wasn't
something he could bring her-some-
thing she would hke-for the simple
hearted fellow would have tramped all
night all over town to find and fetch it
and then happy thought occurred to
him: women always love flowers" He
ran to the next street, boarded west
bound car, and was soon far down town
at his favorite florists.
"Giye, me big box of cut flowers
the handsomest you have" he said; and
while they were being prepared he wrote
q few lines ON a card, tore it up, tried
aGsin on another. and similarly reduced