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

he was resolved-to interject McArdle
into the conversation, and, watching his
chance, he at length succeeded, Miss
, Clara yielding the more readily because
if there was any one person more than
another Of her acquaintance that she
; liked to talk about it was the lacOnic colo
: mel She gossiped about him, therefore,
to her hearts content IN an odd, viva
cious mixture of school girl praise and
: blame. Her anecdotes and smart speech
es failed, however, to shed much light
on the coloneTs history, and so, hoping
to make more progress on the other tack,
Windward brought the conversation
around to the subject of Louise; and
here again Clara had a ready made
theme.
She's splendid, but she's deep; that's
the only trouble with Lou Sheffield; she
certainly is deep"
"Ahy' said Windward, anxious for de-
tails.
Eyes, she's deep" exclaimed Clara.
For instance, she don't care much for
dress. Oh, no! But she knows how to
match her complexion the best | ever
knew OF"
"Ohl" said Windward, with tinge of
disappointment in his voice.
But hasn't she manners, though"
exclaimed Miss Willis, with genuine en-
thusiasm. Il remember"-and here she
burst out in a peal of laughter, Il re-
member the colonel saying to me once in
his solemn way, Louise is deeply re-
Egious, but perfect lady, l assure you,
perfect lady"
And having thus brought the colonel
again 10 mind she peIted INN behind his
back with verbal bonbons till the deli
cious fuss at the theatre lobbies and
aisles absorbed her whole attention.
After that was over and the vivacious
/ little maiden seated and composed her
| bright eyes began to count her friends
| and take the census of the new hats.
| While thus busted she burst in on some
commonplace remark of her escort with
the exclamation:
"Why, there's your sister, with Lieut.
Quire."
"Where?" asked Windward, giving a
little start. "Why, so she is.
She's real pretty, isn't she?' exclaimed
Clara, and added laughingly. ''runs in
the family-ahem!'
you can afford to see beauty i'll other
women" replied Windward, CALAMITY.
Whereupon Clara made a mouth and
craned her neck rs if to see around be- !
hind her companion, with the explana- |
ton that she was looking after a laugh !
on the back of his head.
you won't find it, Miss Willis" said |
Windward, with impressive gravity. u |
am not double faced"
That's right" she replied, encourag-
ingly. That's my way. talk right out.
do you know Lieut.. Quire?" asked |
Windward
"Oh, yes, some, she answered. He's
Say, I'm prying, I know, but is it true
they're engaged?'
"Who:" exclaimed Windward, aston
ished. "Floy and Quire?"
Eyes, 1 heard So" said Clara, inno-
Gently.
"Why, no" said Windward, casting a
rather alarmed look over to where the
pair were sitting. mot that know Of
No, 1 guess not. Certainly not"
81 didn't know" said Clara demurely.
They're much together"
Unfortunately that may not always
follow" gasped Windward, not daring
to look at his seatmate.
unfortunately" she repeated, sweetly
befogged. lyon mean you would like
the match?"
"Come, Windward, be a mane' he
thought, and his head swan. But no,
this was not the time or place; and, be-
sides, there was that pledge to his moth
er. He trembled-but at that instant
the drums and trumpets struck up, and
the crisis was averted. And though the
play was tender, and once or twice the
talk between the acts grew ominous,
the curtain fell on the stage comedy
with suspense still reigning outside
Then Windward proposed lunch, and
as Miss Clara's recreations had fastened
upon her the bad habit of a midnight APP
petite, the suggestion met with favor.
They turned their steps, therefore, to
fashionable restaurant, to find, to their
surprise, Lieut.. Quire and Floy in a coy
corner with the waiter bending over
them. There was nothing to do then, of
course, but to put on a smile. and make
, party of it, though it was provoking,
and a little awkward all around. Wind
ward-and possibly Mr., QUire also-was
anxious, as it happened to be, on this
particular occasion, exclusive. But the
fates were adverse. So the only thing
lett vas to order good supper, with no
nonsense or sentiment in it, and divide
the bill.
The waiter explained that in oysters
they had Tangiers, st. Jeromes, Linn
Haven Bays, Cherrystones, Seasides, Alb
secoms, Saddle Rocks, Morris River
Cove, Rappahannocks and Point Look
oat, and could serve them steamed,
stewed, fried, broiled and roast, as well
as raw, or as oyster pie, oyster pastry or
chafng dish. The party hesitated, de-
bated and finally quarreled, the ladies
choosing a cooked dish, while the two
gentlemen showed the true cultus by
preferring theirs on the half shell.
Then came time of waiting, rendered
shorter by that same time killer that
stole fourteen years of Jacobs life almost
before he knewit. Whatever Clara was
or was not she was certainly good COM ,
pany; and tonight, excited by the play, ,,
the late hours, the surroundings and the
possibilities, she sparkled
with merry graces. Even Florence was
won into laughter and admiration,
though she would not and could not
think of that girl as a sister.