Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-08-13

'fShal 1 goy' asked Windward, moi
wishing to intrude, but anxious for hel
welfare.
mo, no, she said family. "Sit down.
Tell me everything"
"In a moment, he said. "You are
weak
''Now!' she exclaimed.
81 don't know much, he said.
''Be frankF' she whispered-"be truth.
full"
Il will be" he answered, seating him
self at her side and taking her hand; it
was like ice. "But it is not so painful.
Do not be alarmed"
'Ten mel' she cried impatiently.
GAS understand it, Miss Sheffield
''Tm not Miss Sheffield" she inter
interrupted. "Who am II What's my
name:"
''Its Louise, any way!' he exclaimed,
desperately.
''That's goodr' said the sufferer. "Can
me that, then. Go on!'
GAS 1 understand it" said Windward,
''you were the only child of poor people,
who had one of the French claims, and
with whom my uncle Tom got acquainted
on that account. 1t happened that both
your parents died while you were an in
FAINT, and he had you adopted by his
friends, the Shefiields. McArdle was
with them. and you all grew up together,
as you know. judge you were to be
treated rs one of the family and never to
know or feel difference. 1 found out
the truth only a few days ago, by acct
dent, while reading over the papers of
the agency relating to the claim, inter
spersed in which are occasional refer
ences to family matters"
SIS that all:" asked Louise, as Wind
ward paused.
'Those are the main features as I rec
ollect Them" he replied. "What 1 know
learned, rs 1 say, from incidental ref
erences in the correspondence"
"My uncle" she checked herself
'the colonel knows nothing of this-I
mean of your knowledge of the secret?'
ooh, no." Windward replied. 81 felt
that he wished it kept buried. and I
found by an inquiry that you were ignor-
ant"
81 recollect," interrupted Louise.
$50 l have said nothing to any one,
he said.
THAT is right" said Louise. "You
spoke of papers-can L see them"
81 suppose so; certainly"
"Would you mind getting themg" she
inquired, Nancy is here if 1 want help,
but don't think 1 shall Perhaps I'd
better rest a moment. I'll send Nancy
down shortly"
Certainly" replied Windward. crest !
by all means, and do not be distressed. |
Your friends are the same, your life is |
not affected. This will bind us all the
more closely"
''Thank you, Windward," she said,
closing her eyes YEARLY. 81 know you
will all be kind and good. But it is not
the same" Her lip trembled and she
added, Il am very lonely!'
A mad thought flashed through Wind
wards mind. Should he fling himself at
her feet and enrich his life by giving it
to her?
Had he spoken then and there who
knows what might have been! Perhaps,
had he never spoken in vain, it might
have been. But we learn caution by
failure. He paused; he reflected, and he
let the one golden moment pass.
81 will be down stairs, he said, grave
ly and kindly.
''Thank you, Windward," replied she;
i'Pn feel better directly" And she
smiled and motiOned him away.
Nancy, my good girl" she then said
10 the servant, won't you fetch me a
shawl? I feel chilly
Nancy-used to the cares and needs of
1 sick room-had one at hand and threw
It over the shivering person of the suf-
ierer.
eff you'll come back in a few min
ltes," she said, ''Ill try to rest little"
Eyes, miss" the girl replied, ''T1l be
n the next room, and you can knock or
peak if you want me"
Saying this, Nancy arranged the shawl
he better to protect the lady, and then
oftly left the room.
Louise was alone; alone among stran-
,ers, alone in life; even memory was false,
md the past a myth. One friend, and
,nly one, who knew her, and whom she
owed, remained unchanged and unchang-
ng; and to this friend, gracious, faith :
III and powerful, the special friend of
he friendless and the orphan, she went
With her crushing load of sorrow.
After few moments, hearingno sound
nd fearful lest the visitor might be
feeding assistance, the watchful servant
topped softly to open the door, but stop
ed, hushed, and awed, on the threshold;
or within she saw the strange lady seek
ng herself the aid she needed on her knees.