Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-05-26

from our house, and the ncighborhood |
being in the country and sparscly set
tied, there was great deal OF passing |
and rcpassing between the two fami'
lies. Mrs Brown was visitor ut our |
place every week, and sometimes more |
frequently, and William llanley often |
came with her, so that he and ! had |
opportunities 10 become better ac- |
duaintcd, and the friendship we had |
formed on so short an acquaintance |
broadcned and decpened week by |
week.
My sister formed a great liking for
my new friend, and, he being five years
her senior, treated her much as he
would a baby, pctting her and giving
her little presents, but never showing
her the interest he did me. Mary was
ouicl, To notice the distinction lac made
between us, and feeling that had no
right 10 be liked best, even by one per-
son, she grew jealous, and poutcd and
complained, and often went TO her
mother to pour out words Of rcproach
against me.
My stcpmothcr was not at all pleased
10 have the elegant city lad show pref
crcncc for me but She had no means
Of controlling his tastes, and 80 her
only resource was TO vent her displcas-
urc on my unluclSy head, which She did
at every opportunity, making my life
more Of burden than ever IL had
been.
81 nm not TO blame for win liking
me-" once vcnturcd TO urge in vindica-
ton OF myself when my stcpmothcr
was soundly abusing me for being fav-
orcd by him above her daughter 81
don't make him like me, and can't help
| II II he does think the most Of me-"
Eyes you can help it," my stcpmoth-
or snapped out sptcfully. "If you
wasn't always putting yourself in his
way and forcing yourself on him,
he wouldn't take so much notice of
You I've watched you when he was
here, and I've been perfectly ashamed
Of you when saw how you put your
| self forward to demand his attentions.
shuddsr for Mary's reputation when
you are grown up, for ! know you will
disgrace her never saw such n for
ward, shameless creature as you are.
Never"
was too young, then, to understand
the meaning of my stcpmothcr's words,
but they troubled me deeply, notwith-
standing. | knew that their import,
whatever their meaning, was TO mis-
represent and libel me, and that ! was
thus prosecuted because had succeed
cd in gaining the esteem Of one person
out Of all knew.
remember | thought II very hard
that I oould not have this one friend
without him being grudgcd TO me, when
my sister had the attentions and love Of
everyone else. thought that with all
she had, might be allowed the pleas
urc of one friendship uncovctcd, and
for the first time in my life ] was
slightly inclined 20 contend for my
rights. Not that did contend In the
least, by word or act, but simply that
felt the inclination.
From that day my stepmothcr tool
every prccaution she could to keep VIII
llaulcy and separated. She nevc
permitted mo TO 60 to Mrs Browns /
she could prevent IL, and she was usu
ally prepared TO do that, and whei
Win came TO our house she manage'
very well, by one device and another
TO keep me out Of his company, general
ly sending me TO tho kitchen to assis
Aunt Mary, there TO remain hour afte
hour, though Aunt Mary declared sh
did not need me and would rather hav
me ont OF the way.
win and | contrived, however, I
spend great many hours together, an
he plainly showed that ho retained
preference for my company over that {
!. my sister; and many were the wei
meant compliments he paid to my cha
acter and personal appearance, Tru
10 his promise, he always spoke of m
hair as auburn or golden locks, and
never failed to address me rs Agnes {
Aggic, lie was SO kird, and SO cousi
crate Of my feelings, that grew TO 10,
him moro and moro us the days passe
One day, after had known WI
,d IIanley for several months, my ste
ia mother was, for some cause In an u
re commonly bad humor with me, and b
al sides slapping and knocking me abo
40 numerically, applied tome al | the vi
nm epithets Of which her tongue was ma
nv ter She bcrated me for hundr,
mr. faults OF which | was innocent, al
~. spoke in the most sneering and abus
M manner Of my looks | do not lSno
why II was, but for some reason f.
nd the rcproaches she heaped upon I
N. more lScenly than | ever had befoi
lid and could not tamely submit witho
,ut Offering word OF protest, Her wor
nd stung me to the quick, and for the fiji
me time in my life dared TO speak in sc
All defense.
int "Whnt you say is not true" l sal
ned natly, when She ceased TRADE of I
ont bitterest accusations.
nd. do not know how ever had I
courage TO utter that speech, and
sooner WINS Il out Of my mouth tina
ion was struck dumb with establishment
ne. the thought Of my audacity. My ST
mo mother, too, was evidently surpri.
In almost out of her wits and for
ach minute she stood staring ut me,
the face picture of wonder.
see well" She said, at last, the look
ne. wonder giving place TO ilush Of anl
chow dare you2 How dare you sa
the ksi"
mo BE CoSTISUED.I