Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-05
CHAPTER XII.

- - ~
"Therc's nothing Ia 1t that you may not
see; IrHl you read it?''
Mr.. 'Wallie Dinsmore had been in
dulging in a good deal of casuistry of
late, owing to n desire to reconcile his
theory that human beings ought TO help
one another with his temperamental
aversion to being mixed up in other peO-
PIES affairs. He might have evaded the
difficulty by handing over the matter
which troubled him to Mrs. Cadwalader;
but that would only have been an indi-
rect way Of forcing bis own hand. He
smoked great number of cigars, seated
in his study chair, and incidentally tried
TO stare his great white owl out of coun-
tenance; but he hesitated still.
One morning while thus occupied he
heard carriage stop at the door and a
card was brought up to him. Contrary
to his usual custom in such cases, he
jumped up, tossed his cigar into the fire
gave a pull to his collar and a jerk to
his coat, and babe the servant conduct
Mile. Mariana upstairs.
By the time she appeared he had re-
covered his genial serenity. He shook
hands with her with the quiet cordiahty
of man constantly in the habit of receiv.
ing famous prime dOnne in his private
sitting room. and at the same time gave
the servant look which intilnated that
he would be not ct home while this visit
or remained.
"You come in good season, said he
"the owl and have just been talking
about You"
II did not ask for Mrs. Dinsmore," be
gan the prima donna.
We'll, l know, interposed Wallie. 81
have often tried TO persuade her that the
morning is the proper time to receive
calls, but she is still welded to he1
supcrstitions. You must try to put up
with me. l believe 1 should make a
pretty good aunt.
The lady felt the kindness with which
he cndeavOred to put her at her ease,
and faint color dawned in her cheeks.
He went on:
II see by the papers that you are soon
to leave us. 1t must be pleasant to you
to feel how much respect and regard, as
well as renown, you have won since you
came here. hope it may soon bring you
back to us?'
do YOU respect me, Mr.. Dinsmore?
demanded she, fixing her eyes on him.
You were an enigma TO me at first, -
he replied Immediately, ''but respected
you involuntarily, even before I knew
that was right in doing So
He met her look as he spoke, and she
felt that he spoke what he meant.
Il came to ask you to help me respect
myself, she said, with pause between.
did you know that was an actress as
well as a singer"
Il knew what you refer to the first
moment we met, answered he, with a
friendly smile. II had seen Mile. Ma
rama abroad
She did not need to ask him whether
he had kept her secret. Between per-
sons Of certain order of integrity as
surances Of such kind are superfuous.
She breathed sigh of relief He had
known, and yet had not withheld his re-
spect, the respect of 4 gentleman. Her
sad heart began TO take little courage
81 think 1 know your father, Mr.. Ran
dolph," he resumed, with the slightest
accent of Interrogation "You must not
think me a Paul Pry, but Mr.. Randolph
is a gentleman of the old school, not a
good disSimulatOr, and he accidentally
betrayed himself to me one day without
knowing it. Perhaps I ought to have
confessed to him, but am a wretchedly
undecided mortal about such things, and
1 have been debating for the last month
what had better do. More than month;
in fact, ever since Godfrey Bellingham
went away"
As he carelessly uttered the last
words his glance passed over her. She
did not move an eyelid. Her breath
stopped for a few moments, but that could
not be seen.
'She has already learned some things.
poor girl" thought WaIlie to himself.
your main object in entering the pro-
feSsion must be nearly achieved" he
presently continued, as she remained
silent.
you THINK 1t was only the object
that justified me?' she said quickly.
eff I were you, he replied, 81 would
be myself in the future"
"But can sing any more.'
Speaking for the public, should say
sing on forever. You have gained q
footing from which nothing can dislodge
you. You need no other woman's repu-
tation, and the public viii easily forgive
you the ruse you have put upon them;
indeed they have nothing to forgive"
81 would rather you found fault with
me than made it easy for me" she said,
with tremor in her voice. There ia
no one else can go to"
81 don't think you need scolding,"
returned Walie. with his kindly smile.
The past is done with. can imagine
you have had an uphill time of it in
many ways. But you have gone far to
rehsbilitate completely Nile. Marana's
character and Ishould fancy she would