Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-02
AFOURTH OF JULY STORY

1t was a wonder to all Snowden how
Mrs. Ely and her daughter managed tc
live They had a COW, it is true, but q
procession of small boys came every
night and morning to the widows pretty
cottage with pitchers and pennies in
hand for the daily measure of milk. One
little egg cup full Lefty poured from the
pail as she brought it in frothing for her
mothers tea. The rest was all convert
ed into money, and except the micro
scopic insurance that came from the
friendly brothers of something to which
the late Mr.. Ely belonged very little
other lucre found its way into the small
cottage.
Not hundred yards from this tiniest
of cottages was an imposing stone gate
way leading to the well kept grounds of
Squire Melville. His grand house was
closed all winter, but one of the symp-
toms of spring well known to the villag-
ers was the renovating and house clean
ing which presaged the coming of the
family. It was the only house of any
pretension near. and was the tangible
evidence of the great financial success
which had been won by this one of the
town boys of the previous generation,
who had left his early home and taken
his chances in one of the worlds great
marts.
The battle of life had left Squire Mel
vile cold, hard and pUrseproud, and
with enough pride of another kind to
make him take pleasure in exhibiting
his glory to the eyes of his old associ-
ateS.
He had a meek and invalid wife
whose fortune had been the stepping
stone to his prosperity, and son and
daughter. who were well liked in Snow
den.
The latter was engaged to California
nabob's SON, and so was of more conse-
quence in her gratifed fathers eyes than
she had ever been before. But the son.
around whose future every ambitious
hope of his worldly father conferred, had
fallen in love with pretty Lefty Ely.
and the fact had but just come to that
disappointed fathers knowledge.
John Melville" he had said you
are driveling idiot Do you suppose |
am going to see the fortune have spent
my life and health in getting poured
into the lap of Il beggar, a scrub, dairy
woman? a low creature like the serv-
ants in my Kitchen"
There was a storm Of angry words be-
tween them, for no man could listen
calmly to abuse of his loved one Then
the older man, more polite than the
younger, forced his tongue to a mildness
that found no echo in his heart, and
tried a pathetic appeal to his son, beg
ging him, for his sake, to surrender his
leeting fancy, but threats and entreaties
had no effect. Raging with anger, the
son flung himself out of the home, fol-
lowed by the wrathful insults of his
father.
In the vine arched doorway Of the lit
tie cottage, Lefty stood with her flower
like face lifted as her eyes looked
dreamily into the blue glory of the sum-
mer sky. Roses massed themselves
above her, delicate sprays heavy with
bloom waved about her, and climbing
vine of the York and Lancaster wreathed
the pillars that upheld the roof. There
were roses on both sides of her, and in
the pink perfection of her setting she
was the loveliest flower of all
my Rose of Summer" whispered
Jack Melville, swinging himself over the
low rail and stealing an arm around her
slight waist
You are worth fighting for" he con-
tinued, as they stepped together into the
little house.
Fighting, Jackg"
Eyes, my precious, 1 have just had
battle royal with my father" and he
flushed as lie remembered the soothing
sights which had been heaped upon his
darling.
Lefty grew pale and wept as Jack
gave her an extended account of the
stormy interview which had left its
traces on his words and looks. When he
finished he saw look of severe resolu-
ton in her lovely face that astonished
him He bent to kiss the red lips that
few moments before had worn such ten
der curves. but she turned her head
away.
Listen, Jack" she said solemnly, 81
Will never, never, never marry man
whose father refuses to welcome me-"
Lefty" he exclaimed, "is your pride
more to you than your love? Don't you
know that l can make you happy far
away from all thisg"
"You will not be happy if you dis
obey your father, and if you are IN
happy | shall be wretched."
Pleadings and protestations, although
her own heart echoed them all, failed to
shake her resolve. Her only answer was
the repetition of her determination never
to enter family without a welcome.
The painful interview was ended at
last by Mrs. Ely's hurried entrance with
a message brought in hot haste from
Mrs Melville. The squire had been
found unconscious on the floor of his
library, and the frightened wife had
sent for her son where past experience
taught her he could be found
There were several days of grave anx-
iety for the family and much excitement
and sympathy among the neighbors.
Then for a time all danger was over, and