Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-23

so plainly on the morrow. He evidently
was beguiled, how deeply she could not
| quite determine. 1t was unfortunate,
and ridiculous also; she would have a
frank, sisterly talk with him, and that
at once. Whateverhappened, that empty
headed Willis girl should not make a
| fool of him.
And Windward, on his part, was look
ing over his plate at his sister, wonder
ing what there might be in that absurd
query Miss Willis had put to him. He
| did not think it possible, and yet he de-
cided to have frank, brotherly talk
with her at once. And Miss Willis and
| the lieutenant had their own thoughts,
too, so that in spite of every ones anxiety
to be viwicious and entertaining, there
came now and then lapses of silence or
an absent minded reply to gay sally.
The party left the restaurant together,
but, as by tacit consent, the homeward
| paths diverged at an early corner, where
the good-bys were exchanged without
very lettering farewell parley at the
curb.
And now, for one thrObbing heart at
least, came a trying time. The moon
was up in all her glory, while the shy
stars peered through the elfsh haze to
watch the antics of belated lovers.
might it not be as well now as any
timer" pondered Windward. To be
sure, he had promised to do nothing If
revocable without his mothers knowE
edge and approval, and yet the time and
the mood favored. How would it do to
follow the vigorous western plan Of
hanging the prisoner first and trying
him afterward? Well, he would see; to
plan at such a moment was beyond or
below him. He was in the hands of fate.
But how to begin or what to say on
any subject but the one that trembIes
on the lips, but may not pass them! 1t
was fortunate that Windward was eX-
pected to sustain only such q negative
share in discourse, AMI yet tonight she,
too, now seemed to falter in her gossip,
her fertility of odd expression forsook
her, and there came stretches of embar-
raised silence, till finally i'll despair
Windward began again on McArdle and |
his relation to Louise-the Difference he |
paid her, the intimacy and the necessity |
each seemed to be to the other.
Miss Willis agreed it was charming, !
and then suddenly bursting out in
nervous laugh that was half cry, she |
exclaimed:
Il believe you are jealOus!"
Il jealous!" repeated Windward,
amazed.
Yes, jealous!" she cried, with a pout
and a toss of her head. Il believe you're
in love with Louise Sheffield yourself
and actually jealous of her uncler
"Pshaw, Clara!" he began. He had
said it-Clara! And it had come as nat
urally as the breath that bore it. His
heart beat wildly 1t throbbed against
his ribs like an imprisoned thing that
must be freed or die. To the winds with
reason, prudence, obedience and every
bailiff and fetter of the soul
'Pshaw, Clara!" he repeated huskily.
''You know betterI'
81 know betterl" she said, nesting
closer on his arm and looking up appeal
ngly i'll sweet solicitation to have her
doubts resolved.
eyes" whispered Windward, you
know it is you I love; yes, you, fondly"-
''Oh! Mr.. Bassetty' she interrupted,
with an alarmed look, withdrawing her
lrm to only a timid touch. "Oh! please
lon'tr'
eyes, mean it, Clara: my Clara! Oh,
-ou cannot he caught the vanishing
little hand in hisand pressed it fervently.
Speak, Clara! Let Us be happy!'
''Oh, Mr.. Bassett!' she exclaimed.
I'm so sorry. didn't suppose you felt
hat way" :
The solid ground was reeling under
him. Was it possible-had he failed?
Miss Willis, he gasped, "Clara" no
onger coming spontaneously to his lips,
4 want you to love me; say yes, say
-es."
sob, dear!" sighed the little lady.
Who would have thought it? Why, it's
like you so much, and sup
,osed we were just good friends. But
lon't you know, Of course you don't,
hough, for it's a great secret" .
"What Isl" groaned Windward.
"Why, Mr.. Bassett, I'm engaged" she
aid. eyes, there! So you see 1t couldn't /
,e; but you won't tell, for it's a secret,
6 you can Judge what confidence place
n you, and how much l think Of you"
The stars fell from heaven, the birds
ost their voices, the perfume faded from
he flowers, love had failed, and youth
vas over.
"Engaged?' he echoed family. mo,
didn't know about that"
"Oh, it's a great secret" she ratified
N. eyes, my heart is not my own, but
We have been such good friends, Mr..
3assett; you are $3.50 splendid! Such
gentleman! Why, 1 didn't suppose
-ou were in earnest that way, you know. \
you liked me, of course; saw that, and
We have had such jolly times together,
nd getting so well acquainted! Do,
1r. Bassett, let US forget what you have
aid, and let US go on being real royal
God friends" II
''Oh, certainly, if you wish,n said
Yindward slowly and coldly. He was
linking of what McArdle had said of
he idiotic ambition of the crushed rose
+ love to be the roast beef of friendship.
hey tive, forsooth, to be ''friends" af-
er this! On the morrow he would leave
lain, family, city, country, life itself,
necessary, to be free again; the sky
-as scarcely broad enough to cover them
9th at oGce.
''You are not angry, Mr.. Bassett?" she
aid, with caressing gesture. =
"Oh, no." replied Windward,- with
yerted ewes He spoke calmly and