Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-02

D
observing as he laid them aside: Don't
talk yourself to death. And beware of
the 'we's'-except Louise" he added,
condescending to a pun. ''NOw she
might help you if you could enlist her
artful briberies in your cause"
Louise smiled, but looked up inquir
ingly, as if to insist on more explicit
fiattery. Nor did she fail to gain an ex
PLANTATION, for, interpreting her glance,
McArdle went ON to say:
Men are cheap; hearts and service
are within the reach of persons of linn
tied means. y drink, pass, a wink or
kind word is generally suficieIit-any
thing but money; only fools try to buy
men for cash"
81 did speak to Senator Bills about
Mr.. Bassett's claim" said Louise, ''and
he seemed much interested"
mo doubt" observed the colonel.
"You are more interesting, Louise, than
an editorial"
McArdle then questioned Windward
as to his personal labors with congress
men, and was good enough to compli
ment him on the progress he had made.
81 think you are really doing well" he
said, $50 well, in fact, that you are in
danger of becoming absorbed. Remem-
Der your uncle's advice to be moder-
ate, and be sure you give yourself recre-
atiOn-walks, books, theatres and the
like"
"Clara was in today" said Louise,
full Of pleasant memories Of last nights
play"
Indeed" exclaimed Windward. 1t
had been already his third offense in
that line, and he had tickets in his pocket
for a fourth; so, of course, he was graft
fed to learn that his efforts to please
were successful. 81 am glad she liked
it," he said. what an interesting girl
she ISL
very" replied Louise.
Very" echoed McArdle, and added:
"She has a certain keep-yourdistance
air that is very attractive. Her eyes
say, Come at your peril, but Gomez
Quite a dangerous type, Mr.. Bassett"
The colonel spoke lightly, but his keen
eyes were watching the young man
closely, and he did not seem to like what
he saw, for he went on cautiously, skill
fully and remorselessly in his analysis:
'She has what a modern writer has well
defined as 'temperamental affability,' a
charming quality. Oh! she's a nice,
pretty girl; popular, jolly-a regular
skating rink, church fair, barge party,
orchestra chair young lady. 1 am very
fond of her. can remember her mother
as belle before her. Clara is just like
her. She takes after her mother, and all
the young fellows take after her. How
many offers did you say she has had this
winter, Louise:"
"Why, three or FOUR" she said, not
quite prepared for such a question, and
wondering little at the colonel's line
of conversation. WindYard, for his part,
did notrelish or understand it at all, and
yet there was nothing he could specific
/ ally object to or take offense at. Still
he wished McArdle would change the
/ subject; but the colonel had no such in
/ tention.
Three or four" he went on in his
most placid and urbane manner. 81
/ don't suppose she keeps a close count
herself. One, more or less, doesn't mat
ter. Yes, bright, lively girl, and the
best gossip know. 1 tell her she ought
/ to write book"
''She would give you good character
if she did," said Windward, thinking it
was time to interfere. ''She thinks a
great deal of you" Possibly the young
man designed to have this shaft carry a
little rebuke with it; if so, the colonel
showed no sign of being hit.
"Oh! no doubt" he said blandly.
"Clara and are good friends" And
here he stopped, believing he had said
enough. Louise, bending over her work,
thought on her part that for once he had
said too much.
Windward was nettled, but still more
perplexed than annoyed. The colonel
rarely goSsiped, and never spoke idly OF
unadvisedly. Moreover, though taciturn
or brusque, he was never rude, and
Windward had reason to believe he was
sincerely interested in him and wished
to befriend him. Possibly it was acci.
dental, an idle breath of leisure and re-
Taxation, but the colonels praises Ger
tainly disparaged the young lady who
was beginning to occupy more of his
thoughts than he was wholly willing tC
admit to himself
''The colonel doesn't like her, except
as aplaything, and he doesn't wish me
to; that is evident" unused the young
man on his way home that night. "And
Stevens doesn't like her. Soshe has had of
fers; well, so has Miss Sheffield, and Clara
says she used to be an awful flirt. Fol-
that matter Floy always has string OF
beaux. thougb she has 3 firty streak. too.