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


two words what has become OF the
maid, an II you dunnot want 10 aid her
yoursen, put IL into an honest mans
power TO give her helpin' hand"
81 do not know-but, OH, Mr. Bar.
low, you must-you shall hear what |
have 10 say"
"Well, marin, II IL 'ull ease thy con.
science TO tell thy story, say thy say
wi'out more ado, an let me gan home
10 my dinner"
Miss Baldcrstone's face flushed with
Indignation.
IA year ago she left my house at
Kensington Of her own free wil--nay,
might almost say surreptitiously,"
she began.
81 dunnot know what surreptitiously
means, but II IL means that Kate Ora.
hame did anythin 10 shame her, wun.
not believe IL OF the lass-so, there
you've got III"
81 mean that she left unknown 10
me-"
can hadna thee done nothin' TO make
her think her hiding wi thee wasna
agrecablc2"
I'VE certainly had little trouble.
and perhaps my manner was not as
cordial as usual"
MAY ! be bold enough to ask the
cause Of the troublc2"
you may. Mr.. Colburn, the emf.
nent solicitor Of Lincoln's inn, had
taken great trouble 70 secure position
for her in Canada, and at the last mo
mcnt, she ilatly refused TO start or 10
give any explanation Of her obstinate
conduct"
Sensible lassl Old England was
good enough for her; bless her little
heart, ! like her ten times better for
scttin' her pretty face agen journey 70
furrin parts"
But you forget, Mr.. Barlow, that
Kate Grahamo had TO make her way in
the world, and"
"Ah, marin, ! sec-thce made her feel
that-an' that's why the sweet maid
left thee"
"oh, Mr.. Barlow, how can you be so
cruel TO me? I tell you loved the girl
like my own sister, and, though was
angry with her and might have said
some unkind words In my vexation,
never thought"
THAT herd had the spunk TO take
thy snecrs In earnest Like woman.
thee did ma think that word can cut
as sharp as n whip thong-but, tell me.
did thGc hear nothin' Of the poor lass
since her went away nigh on a twelve.
month agonc?'
Yes, about n month AFRO my maid
met her in Kings road, Chelsea, and
she gave her an address In the neigh.
borhood. She said that the poor child
was looking so wan and miserable
that"
"That whnt?"
THAT got the better of my pride
and wrote to her imploring her TO re.
turn to my roof"
Thee did, marin! Well, that was
hearty o thee, an more like what I'd
thought Miss Baldcrstone nd done.
Wen, what did the maid say2"
"Shc never answered my letter, and
OF course after such contcmptuous treat
mcnt could not"
"Of course thee Couldn't Myi what
n heap of dignity goes to the makeup
OF even the best of women. But will
thee give me the address, for mayhap.
pen shnmot be so easily angered by
her"
willingly, Mr.. Barlow, and | hope
you will be more successful in restoring
the young lady to proper frame OF
mind than have been. Perhaps after
what has passed, you may deem IL i'm.
pertinent II ask after your wife and
daughter"
This was IN Miss Balderstone's highest
style Of Mincrvail,e dignity.
"Thce knowest will not. Wife De.
| borah be fair to middlin', an Nellie, my
| little Nellic's goin' TO DC married"
How cXultingly the farmer gave this
latter piece of information.
"Ayc," he ndded, ITO be married TO
two hundcrd an forty acres of the best
arabic land i the county Of Surreyw
surely" Miss Bnlderstone said,
smiling through her chagrin, you are
not making a sacrifice OF your daughters
happincss-you speak so strangely
about her marrying the land?'
mot I, indeed Why, there's fine,
young, handsome fellow as belongs 10
the land-Willie Westlake-as her is
goin' TO we'd of her own dear consent
come next Yulc Tide. Precious sight
better than THROWN hersen away on q
frog-catin' Frcnchman, beant 1t now,
Miss Baldcrstonc?"
Miss Buldcrstone confessed IL was,
and drove away, angry with the farm
err for his plain speech, and yet not al
together satisfied with the part she had
played in the little drama of Kate Ora
hame's sorrows.
The next day Farmer Barlow, dressed
in his bright brown coat with gilt but
tons, very lorid ncck-tie, n yellow
striped waistcoat, corderoy breeche!
and top-boots, looking, ! am free tC
confess, very much as ii he were in cos
tune to play the heavy father in an old
fashioned comedy, took his way to 4
Andalusa terrace, Chelsea, which h,
found to be n squalid row OF houses
struggling desperately to be genteel
but having about them that indcscrib
able air of restitution which clings L
dwellings as well ms men.
lie had no difficulty in finding tn,
number, and his heart sank MS the doc
opened and dishevclcd woman
wiping the soapsuds from her arms
for she had evidently just left the wash
tuh, asked him what he wanted.
You We young lady named Mis-
Grahame staying here" the farmer sug
gestcd, blandly.
81 don't know about there bein' NJ
iadiss in this house, but there's youni
woman on the fourth iloors hack, n
takes in sewin' and us her nam
, chnnrcs In hn Grnhnmc ncrhnns It's he