Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-15
OVERHEARD WHISPERS.
How They Spoiled e Schemer's
Well-Laid Plans

A certain number of days ago my at
tention was directed toward a young
man of not altogether prepossessing ap-
pearance, who appeared to be waiting
nearly opposite to my window for the
coming of some other person. His
countenanee was expressive of vacant
insipidity, his gait irregular and his
manner confused. His dress was nom
descript, very effective, no doubt, but
quite inappropriate either to business
occupation or to the pursuit of legiti-
mate pleasure.
He paced backward and forward, from
corner to corner, with an air of self-sat-
isfaction ludicrous to behold. Some
times he strol1ed the corners of a very
pale muStache, at others he bit the fin
gers of his curiously-tinted gloves, and
after waiting some time, noticed that
his step quickened, sickly smile passed
over his face, and he advanced with an
extended hand toward a young lady who
was approaching quietly.
\ sweet little creature she was, too.
Her innocent face wore a pleased ex-
preston, and she blushed little as she
recognized the man. She was by no
means beautiful; but she was tastefully
appareled. Her quiet dress contrasted
strangely with his dandy gaudiness, and
there was quiet attractiveness in her
bearing generally, which interested me
very much. She could not have been
more than sixteen, think; and l looked
from her to her companion. Were they
lovers9 If so, pitied her exceedingly.
She gave him her hand with confding
smile-a dainty little hand it was He
raised it to his lips.
This act of gallantry convinced me Of
itself that there was something wrong.
No gentleman would have attempted
such breach of etiquette in the public
street.
They passed from my sight together,
and l could not resist the notion that
their meeting was a secret one-that
her friends knew nothing of her ac-
quaintance with this Adonis, toward
whose face her eyes turned lovingly.
was sorry for her and wondered how it
would all end Would she discover her
error, or did she love him despite all OBJ
stacles? And was it in his power to
make her happy?
A few hours later they passed my
window again. The same quiet conf
dence seemed to exist between them
He had evidently exerted his utmost
power of fascination. Her hand rested
upon his arm, and she was listening In
tently to his conversation. They parted
at the spot where they had met, and his
last words were uttered in that peculiar
whisper which is so much more easily
heard than an ordinary tone of voice. 1
caught the following words: ''Remem-
Der, darling, Wednesday at eleven. The
Southeastern station"
Was it an elopement he was plan
ming? 1 thought so. She was con-
fused, but saw that she aSsented to
his desire and was loath to part from
him then; but at last she tore herself
away and walked thoughtfully down
the street, turning once round and
bIushing very much when She saw that
he was watching her retreating foot
steps.
Wednesday at III This was Monday
evening. But after all, why should the
assignation interest me2 What had
to do with it, except that had much
sympathy with the girl when 1 noticed
the gratifed, selfish satisfaction with
which he passed rapidly in the opposite
direction.
There is a strange fatality about coin
cidence. The next morning being Tues
day had an appointment at Holloway;
and, as usually do on such occasions
1 took the tramway.
Having business on hand had quite
forgotten, for the first time, my interest
In the couple had seen the day before.
Ny thoughts, in fact, were very wan
dering ones. They always are during
these short journeys, for the number Of
strange people, the variety Of individual
taste expressed in their apparel, and the
curious remarks and snatches of broken
conversation (which all the passengers
must overhearl, help to create sort Of
cnaos in my mind and send me doztng
physically and mentally.
Upon entering the car I was followed
by two ladies, who seated themselves
opposite to me and thus attracted my
attention.
One of these ladies was past the mid
die age, a widow, apparently. The
other was some years her junior. but
her face wore patient air OF restgna-
ton and composure which led me TO
iudre that she had lost her husband sew
sral years.
Her face seemed to be strangely famkr
sz< to ne yet E tIls f.est ol 1aE lEaeEll