Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-11-19

| took myself to the hotel in Brook street
which l have frequented ever since
came of age.
am not generally accounted a nerv-
GUS person, but cannot deny that ex
perienced considerable trepidation and
discomfort as rang Lady Sutton's door
bell was going to do a very bold and
unconventional thing, and the chances
were largely in favor of my motives be
ing misconstrued. The butler informed
me, with an air Of grave surprise, that
her ladyship was not receiving visitors
at present, but gave him my card, tell
ing him to say that l had special reason
for asking to be admitted, so, after a
short interval, during which two sable
clad footmen had kept an eye upon me
lest l should decamp with the umbrellas,
l was requested to walk up stairs.
AS entered the drawing room, who
should come bounding out and almost
knock me over but Granville Maitland,
NJ. P! He looked slightly confused, but
did not explain his presence or ask for
an explanation of mine; he only mum
bled something, which | suppose was
meant for greeting, and trotted down
stairs very quickly. | don't know
whether he was as much aStOnished as |
was, but | could not devote more than a
second or so to thinking about him, be-
cause l had to concentrate all my mental
powers upon Lady Sutton and the I'M
authorized mission which had under
taken OH Jack Longfeld's behalf
She was a very pretty little woman,
with golden hair and blue eyes, and |
hope it is not i'll natured to say that she
had evidently taken some pains to rem
der her widows garb attractive. Asshe
held a pocket handkerchief in her hand,
and as her eyelids were rather red, it
was to be presumed that she had re-
Gently been in tears, though whether
these had been shed as a tribute to the
memory of her late husband seemed less
certain. One comfort was that she
knew all about me and about Jacks ac-
cident. Mr.. Maitland, who had been a
most kind friend to her, had given her
all the particulars, she said.
'And if you have come for-for the
reason that l suppose, Miss Selby," she
continued hesitatingly, you may feel
assured that you have nothing to dread
from me- Mr.. Maitland, know, has
told you my story, and am sure you
must have concluded, what is perfectly
true, that have justly forfeited any
claim | may ever have had upon Mr..
Longfeld."
Il think you have" answered can
didly-for, although had foreseen the
sense in which she was likely to inter
pref my visit, was not the less annoyed
with the woman for verifying my pre-
yision-"but if he doesn't think so that
is matter of small consequence. You
and Granville Maitland are mistaken in
imagining that have any wish to sup
plant you; what | do wish is to see the
poor young fellow in good health and
spirits again, and | shouldn't have in
truded upon you if hadn't been con-
WINGED that you alone have it in your
power to cure him. If you can tell me
that you still care for him | shall be
quite satisfied, and | will go away at
once"
TheIeupon she began to cry and ac-
cused me of placing her in a cruelty
false position. Her husband was only
just dead-how could | expect her to
send a compromising message forthwith
to one whose love she had rejected for
the sake of more material advantages:
She was persuaded that by doing so she
would lose what little respect he might
have preserved for her.
replied that in my opinion there was
not much danger of her mourning that
loss, and that she must trust me to re-
frain from compromising her. BE
sides" | added, neither you nor nor
he can afford to stand upon ceremony
The doctor says that unless Mr.. Long
fields mind is set at ease he won't an
swer for the consequences; so his mind
must be set at ease. Of course q few
words from you viii do it."
"a not ger those few words out OF
her without some mutt pt9 @lipq
very hard to make me confess 49,. INC
interest which | took in Jack Longtield
was not of a purely friendly order; she
rambled off into long history about the
pressure that had been brought to bear
upon her and the many excuses that
she had for describing her first love;
but in the end induced her to say that,
since it was a question of life or death,
might give him her best wishes and
zindest remembrance. As that seemed |
10 be sufficient | took my leave, and, at
The risk of appearing prejudiced, must
remark that she struck me as being
lilly and selfish little creature.
On my return home l had the gratifi- |
'ation Of finding my patient decidedly |
in health, though restless and |
excited. He made no secret |
If his anxiety to be off. Indeed. when !
Irs. Robertson had dropped asleep after |
Inner, as she always does, he asked me
should think him rude if he
departed on the morrow. He really |
ught to be in London, he said.
Il shall not think you in the least
ude, replied, land l quite agree with
'ou that the sooner you go up to Lon
lon the better. That is if you can OBJ
ain leave from DR.. Bowles. By the way,
lady Sutton gave me a message for you.
Her kindest remembrances. l think it
vas"
Il didn't know you were acquainted
With Lady Sutton" he said flushing sud
emily.
Il was not until today" l replied,
and to confess the truth, | shouldn't
ave been now if 1 hadn't forced my ac-
uaintance upon her. You must try to
Orgive me for having taken such lib