Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-11-12

their hand-the handsome young man,
the rich young woman, the accident and
its invariable results. Il was reasonable
enough that they should smile and look
knowing when they called to inquire;
and did not think it worth while to I'M
deceive them
Yet they were not deceived People
who take commonplace, everyday view
Of things seldom are, and don't know
that there is anything very surprising in
. disabled young man becoming en-
amored Of comparatively young wom-
an with whom he is brought into con-
tact all day and every day, even though
she be black browed young woman
and two years his senior, and no great
beauty Especially if you throw in the
fiddle What, l own, did rather sur
prise me was the extreme reluctance
that felt to administer the requisite
dose Of cold water to my young conva-
lescent had never experienced the
smallest conjunction in previous cases
Of a similar kind, because, Of course,
was old enough to know that of all I'M
happy mortals man who has been
crossed in love is the first to find conso-
lation; but then in previous cases had
been willing and anxious to get rid of
my admirer, whereas ! did not at all
wish to get rid of Mr.. Long6eld How
ever, he soon grew so demonstrative that
it was impossible for me any longer to
shirk a distasteful task, and one after
noon, when he had almost told me in so
many words that he loved me, rushed
at it neutrality-suspicious. because | could
not trust myself to linger upon the
thought of how delightful such an avow-
al might have been to me under other
circumstances
/ walked away from the piano, at
which he was sitting. replaced my violin
in its case and remarked casually: 81
am so glad that our musical perform
ances have helped to while away the
time for you little. | suppose l shall
have to hang up the fiddle and the bow
for good before long, because my future
husband unluckily isn't an admirer of
music. Did tell you that l am going
to be married in the spring to my cousin,
Granville Maitland? | dare say you
know that rising politician by name if
you haven't met him"
A very long time-quite a minute,
should think-elapsed before he an
swered me, but when he did so his voice
was under control, though he could not
keep slightly reproachful ring out of it.
| forget what he said-some nonsense,
believe, about the high character which
Granville bore, and his worthiness of the
great prize that he had secured. Poor
boyI And yet it was ridiculous to pity
him. 1t would have been a great deal
more to the purpose, as could not help
feeling after had left the room, to pity
myself. for indeed | may as well admit
at once that loved him
| can truly say that had never loved
any man before, and can add with
equal truth that was fully conscious Of
my folly in loving this youth, who was
sure to forget me as soon as he should be
out in the world once more. ! knew
that he was really fond of me for the
time being; did not suspect him of hay-
ing been attracted by the beaux yeux de
ma cassette, but then | also knew that i
was twenty-seven. while he was only
twenty-five. All the same | had very
little sleep that night, and before morn
ing had resolved that everything should
be at an end between me and Gran
vile. My conclusion-and | still think
was right in so concluding-was that
| ought not to marry him, loving some
body else. do not deny that | had
hopes with regard to the effect of this
decision upon somebody else, but | do
say that | should not have acted other
wise even if | had had no hopes, and !
was well aware that was about to lay
myself open to the taunt of having fall
en- between two stools. Before break
fast telegraphed to Granville to come
down at once, after which made some
excuse for driving off to the neighbOring
county town and lunching there.
wished, if possible, to get the impending
interview over before saw Mr.. Long
field again.