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

ITOSn IQ6 IdDles
"You are very kind" said Windward
81 don't want you to put yourself out. I"
"Oh, there is no time TO waste in thes
matters" he replied, especially whel
you are dealing with a sailor lover.
knew q man once who agreed to get "a
a programme for an evenings frolic at
neighbor's So he sat down after tea t,
devise plans, and he grew so absorbec
in his plans, which were very fine ones
that when at last they were done, anC
he looked at his watch, he found to hi
horror that the evening was over, an(
the company dispersed in dudgeon."
''That was sad!'' laughed Windward
well, if you are going our way we vii
start together, for told Miss Sheffield
yesterday of our invalid friend at the
agency, and she wished to see him ani
help him along"
81 see," said McArdle, looking from
Windward to the parcels and from then
to Louise, where his eyes rested for &
moment, fondly and softly. 81 under
stand. It's an old story, MIR. Bassett.
gave Louise up long ago as hopelessly
benevolent"
Not a bad disease" observed Wind
ward.
No, only a rare one," replied Nc
Ardle.
II am thinking, colonel" said Wind
ward, as they now departed together,
''of letting Miss Sheffield be my substi-
tute. ] wanted to talk about that, but
the other matter drove it out of my head.
| have about decided to leave Washing
ton and let the claims goon as they have,
and probably will, anyway. They are
in good hands, and doubt if 1 shall be
Of any service if stay; or, if necessary,
l can run down from New York from
time to time"
''On that we will talk further" said
the colonel. Il will branch off here.
Ny regards to our friend. You will be
interested in him, Louise" And with
this he left them to seek the agency
while he looked up his old friend Capt
Walker, chief Of the bureau of naviga-
ton.
"Ah, good day, McArdleI' said the
officer, who was found at his desk.
what can do for you?"
81 an interested in Mr.. Quire's case"
McArdle explained. 81 believe he
wishes to be ordered to the Asiatic
station"
81 know it" said the officer of detail,
crossing his legs and looking vexed. He
hated TO disoblige the colonel, but this
was asking good deal "You see, colo
mel, there are so many applications for
this duty. Besides, understand he
doesn't press it now"
"I shouldn't wonder" replied Near
die with his usual composure. ''That is
why we do"
why soY asked the mystifed chief of
bureau.
There's a woman in it," observed Nc
Ardle. HE is after a young girl, and
the family don't like it.
That's the third this week." growled
the chief. Zone would think this bu-
reau was a matrimonial agency. Well,
what's the matter with Mr.. Quire? He's
a good fellow and good officer"
Oh, yes" McArdle replied instantly
II have nothing against MT.. Quire; 1 |
don't know Is they they have; only it will re-
suit, l see, in family row, and there is
no use in a man going out to sea in a
gale unless with an object; and now, be-
tween MS, it isn't worth it. They are
nice and well to do people-that is, the /
mother has some little money, hear,
but understand she enjoys good health
and comes of long lived stock. The chill |
dren haven't any money, and you know |
the difference, commodore, between a |
wealthy girl and the daughter of wealthy /
parents. There is where so many young I
men make their mistake, and only find
out after marriage that they are tied to
q pauper, who is accustomed to car
riages, silks and foreign travel"
True" observed the officer.
Not that they are so very wealthy"
continued the colonel 81 believe they
are comfortably well of, but Mr.. Quire
would have to pay his wife's bills for
twenty years out of ieutenants pay"
The chief nodded rehectively. The
colonel saw he had gotten the gauge and
range, and now let fly the bolt.
II imagine" he observed, ''that they
rely good deal for the future on an old |
claim they are trying to get through
congress. They are, all hands of them,
down here pressing it-one of the French
spoliation claims, you know"
French claims, hey? Humphl Yes,
! knowl That's enough" The officer
as he spoke reached over impatiently
and touched button on his desk that
gave out tingling ring. Hear it not,
Quire, for it is a knell that summons
thee to Chinal
A messenger appeared. ''Tll arrange
that matter, colonel, as you WISH" said
the chief Of the bureau, and then gave
the messenger an order which set the
machinery in motion.
81 am obliged to you, commodore"
said McArdle. 81 think it will prove a
wise arrangement all around"
VERY likely" said the chief, bowling
and smiling his visitor out.
AZ hope it viii, T" meditated the colonel
as he trod slowly and heavily through
the corridors Of the department and out
into the wintry air, Pardon me, Gu
pid; trust havn't made trouble by
this days businessF'
As Louise said, 'sPoor Quire!s His
foes were ambushed, and even had the
fight been fair and open the odds were
against him
CHAPTER XIV.
THE LOUISE CLAIM.
Windward and his companion roun0
fhe invalid couDsel deem in the archives