Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-30
[CopYrighted by American Press Association

II DeneV6 i IL IuTOW IL up anu QlAts ITO
soliloquized. II don't see what good l
am here. The longer work on the
claim the more doubtful of success grow.
I have made a terrible blunder in love,
and there is that lieutenant dangling
after Florence; and she pleased with
him, maybe. Stevens has grown so
mysterious l can't make him out. He
evidently has got something better than
the claim and is swinging of. McArdle
and the agency can do all the work in
that line, anyhow, or if necessary can
run down here occasionally and put in a
few words. But don't see why l should
sacrifice the whole winter. It's pleas
ant climate, but doubt if it is as good
as it looks. I'm chilly and hot some
times. l shouldn't wonder if it was
malaria"
This mood held till he reached home,
90 that on getting to his desk he sat
down at once and penned the following
letter to his client:
az don't advise you TO place any de-
pendence on the claim, as the passage of
q bill at this session is very doubtful. 1
have come to this conclusion reluctantly,
but such is my opinion, and so fixed is it
that have about decided to abandon fur
ther personal efforts for the present, and
leave the business, as heretofore, IN the
hands of local parties. l really don't
think, Mr. Blamms, you do them justice
The agents have worked long and hard,
and can see now why so often with
failure meeting them in the end. In
fact, my only wonder is that the claims
have actually passed congress twice.
Il am very sorry, Mr.. Blamms, that l
feel obliged to make such discouraging
report. Ny own stake is larger than
yours, and am anxious to get it, but l
think our chances so slight that l advise
Won to look elsewhere for resources, and
for my own part 1 have about decided
to return to New York and the practice
of my profession"
"Poor Blamms." thought Windward,
rs he sealed the letter; chat will sicken
him. But it is the truth, and as for me
don't propose to drag along here in a
kind of stalemate life between a firt and
a claim-that's another firt. I'll go
back to New York, where there is real
business, and fine women, too. 1t Is
true, as Floy says, that Clara makes
up even l can see that, as so many OF
the girls do around here, painting and
powdering and what not. Idon't like it;
it looks fast Now and then you meet
lady like Miss Sheffiell-by the way,
I've a notion to talk this over with her.
Probably Clara will tell her if don't.
Fury! Must go all over town as her
last conquest? 1t can't be true she Is so
heartless, but 1 see now McArdle was
putting me on my guard. An odd man
THAR
He had brushed the dust from his
clothes by this time and now pushed
forth again in the direction of Col. Nc
Adde'S residence. 1t was about noon
when he called, little early for visitors,
and he found Louise, as he had hoped,
alone. She received him cordially as
usual, and began by asking him how he
had liked the play.
"Why, has Miss Willis been here?' he
stammered out, blushing hot and red.
NO." replied Louise, noticing his con-
fusion, but not INVITING him upon it.
'But you mentioned you were going the
other day.
80 1 did," said Windward, feeling
very foolish. WELL" thought he, sit
might be as well to blurt it right out at
once; here goes.
miss Sheffield" he exclaimed, hang
ing his head, Il spoke to her last night,
and she won't have mel"
"Why, Mr.. Bassett!" said Louise, get
ting up and taking a seat close at his
side. as that so? Well, I'm very, very
sorry-for her" And as she spoke she
laid a hand on his and looked into his
downcast face with almost a motherly
solicitude and affection.
"YOu are very kind to put it so, said
Windward, with tears in his eyes, 'but
I am sorry for myself, too"
'And 1 would be, said Louise gently,
eff thought you were really and deeply
in love. 1 don't think you are. don't
think Clara is capable of exciting your
real, genuine love. Had she yielded you
would have had a pretty toy to dress
and nurse and pet, and you would prob
ably have gone through life imagining
you were in love. But in one week from
today, mark me, in one week, you Will
see it was not love, but a sentimental
within. l give you a week, no more
after that there will be left for while a
scar of chagrin at failure-nothing else.
You don't love her. can see it this mo-
ment. You never did. You are vexed,
mortified, uncomfortable; but despair
that is another thingl You have not felt
that, and pray to God you never may
II have"
She spoke these two words with a sol.
emn tenderness that thrilled her listener
and shamed him hack to manhood
What child's play had filled his idle
brains compared with the true SORROW
that dignihes the lives of large type Of
man and woman!
81 should like to know about that" ht
said frankly, and yet mcelily, as one that
wished instruction in mysteries.
Louise smiled sadly, not displeased al
his genuine interest in her burden. 81
couldn't tell the whole story, even if
chose" she said; ''but loved a mar
once, truly and completely. 1 had imag
ined loved others before, for was al
ways in society a good deal, where 1 me
many agreeable gentlemen, and W.
looked and talked love as a matter o.
course. That is what society is for Pos
sibly, if had married any one of half /;
dozen of my gentlemen friends 1 should
have gone on through life reasonably
happy and contented, calling it that
was in love with my husband But a: