Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-08-04

| "les, YES; ] know now that IL.
have experienced II ALL but it's been a
long time since, Of course. But could
Won not remain at home and suffer less
than you suffer In this fricndless way Of
living2"
"No, mn'am; ! could not remain nt
home at all. My stcpmothcr ordered
me 10 leave, and my father, who was
present, did not interfere. ] was driven
away"
J "Drivcn away?" Mrs Lawton repeat
ed, mcditatively. "Cruel, heartless
wrctchcs" Then after the lapse Of a
moment, she asked:
GLOW long have you been from
homer"
Several MONTHS" answered.
And how have you Jared during
those several months2"
81 have not been happy"
"lIavc the people you had dealings
with been kind 10 your"
"Somc have and some have not"
"Whcrc did you live before you came
herc?"
~ would rather not tell that, Mrs.
Lnwton, n you please. ! have good
reasons for wishing okccp IL n secret"
snc watched inc with intense interest
for short time.
"Miss Owens" she said, directly, 81
do not wish TO pry into your secrets. !
have no right 10 do so. Yet how am ]
TO assist You unless ! have your conf
dcncc2 You are u stranger To me, and
before | take you into my home ought
10 know something Of your past life"
The intimation that she was thinking
OF taking me into her home filed me
with thrill Of the widest Joy, and in
stantly my heart warmed to her.
"Nlrs. Lawton," | cried, 81 would
willingly reveal 10 you everything con-
nectcd with my past II felt that my
safety would admit OF II. Mine IL n pc
culinr and II trying situation, and 10 re-
veal the incidents of my existence for
the last month might place my happi-
ness and my very life In jeopardy"
81 do not know what your situation
Is, Of course" she replied, but | can
assure you that you have nothing to
fear from revealing your history 10 me,
II IL Is clear, MS am sure IL Is. IL we
are 10 he friends and companions we
must have mutual confidence and trust"
From that moment | trusted Mrs
LHwton fully. felt that no harm could
possibly result to me from making her
acquainted with my history from first
To last | was anxious TO make the rev.
clnton to her, too, for hated secrets,
and dreaded the possibility Of being
misiudgcd
"Mrs. Lnwton," said, "you are n
stranger TO me, but trust you. will
tell you everything"
Very WE'LL" she answered, quietly.
~ am sure you will lose nothing by IT,"
Then told her all Of my experiences
from the time left home, leaving out
only all references to win IIanlcy and
Charles Cornell. told her OF the kind.
ness Of Mr.. and Mrs. Cornell, of the
GOODNESS Of my cousin, OF the warm in.
tcrcst Of Mr. bernard, and Of his sub.
segment conduct, and Of the slanderous
reports that were put afloat 10y his col
leagues, Miss Perkins and Mrs. Bond
She listened attcntivcly until had
come to u finish, then, laying her hand
on mine, said:
81 believe you, Agnes. have the
greatest faith In every word you have
uttered"
81 am so glad You believe me-"
cried hardly restraining my tears "l
was 50 much afraid you would not"
But | do. There is that In your
looks and manner that forbids doub
Of your honesty and truthfulness.
liked you when | first saw you at tn,
door, and | like you better now, an
a queer woman in most respects, Agnes
and dare say my sudden liking fol
you is one of my queer freaks. Peopl,
will say 50, at least. But IL docsn'
matter for | have little 10 do with peo
pie and they have little TO do with me
live my own life In my own way, an,
| bother no one else and ask no one /,
bother about me. But / will talk o
that at some other time. You have ha'
no dinner, have you?"
mo, ma'am," | replied.
well, then, you certainly want
now. You are to remain here three o
four days, II you will"
"Threc or four days?" exclaimed
in tone Of deep disappointment -
hoped ! was TO remain" Then re
mcmbering myself, Ipaused and blushe
In confusion.
you hoped you we're to renal
longcr?" Mrs. Lawton questioned.
Eyes, ma'am," | replied. 81 hope
you could employ me In some way"
~ don't know about that" she sale
; 81 am queer, grim, unpleasant oil
; woman, and you may find living wit
me unbeara6lc, | should be glad I
have you here, for have taken
strange fancy to you, and II you care
stay you shall But you must have
, few days to decide. You mustcome I
UNDERSTANDING better before you max
any agreement. Remain three day
and then we win talk the matter owe
again, Now lay aside your things an
5 come with me to dinner"
obcyed, and few minutes later W
= sat down TO u little table in larg
: airy room and were served with III
choicest Of viands. My hostess talkc
little during the meal, and for n
greater part Of the time seemed deep
absorbed in thought. Once glance
up to find her eyes rivetcd on me in
u curious gaze, and the instant her ey,
met mine she let them drop and u Hu'
Z suffused her face.
;, After dinner she took mo . q
d through the house and showed me Il
various rooms There was librai
e well supplied with books, and e
y pressed my admiration Of H.
II "Do you like hoolSsP" she asked.
81 am very fond Of them" replied
@ Then" she said, make yourself