Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-06-02
A LOVE TEST.
Why Arthur Remained Steadfast
in Adversely.

lie was likewise n dutiful son.
IL was tho two latter circumstances
that had, on moro than one occasion, |
saved him from making triumphant |
ass of himself Just fancyl II 1t had |
not been for his long head, 1t is more |
than likely that he would have fallen
desperately in love with that bewitch-
ing govcrncss OF the Hastings, with
whom he had spent several weeks in the
mountains one summer five years ago.
But he had given himself time to think,
and had fed between two days, much
to his later satisfaction.
Then there was that dear little Miss
Dixon, whom he had met at the seaside.
It had been n glorious cvcning-that
last. They were sitting on the vcrando,
where they might see and yet he un-
seen. The soft, dreamy strains Of
Strauss waltz floatcd out from the ball
room. There was the pale, silver light
Of the moon, the murmurng ripple of
the waves on the bcach-aud all that
sort of thing, which you have read
about so many times that you have
learned to skip IL In the novels.
Welt Elsie was going awny-too,
too soon. They had talked in signs
and murmurs for half an hour; Arthurs
left hand claspcd Elsic's dimplcd right
ono. his right arm was about her waist;
both hearts beat vigorously, rs hearts
will on such occasions, and Arthur had
lust opened his mouth To tell Elsie
| what she had been waiting for for two
weeks, when there was a step close ut
hand, a rustic of skirts, and the cooling
voice of the maternal Ferris said;
IL beg your pardon, hut will you
plcasc excuse Arthur few moments?
| There are those miserable business uf-
fairs that must be attended TO IN time
for the late mail"
| And thus was he saved second time.
For Elsie had not u cent, and neither
had heat least, not many OF them,
There were several other occasions
when his own long head, or his nam
mas, had helped him out-for Arthur
was somewhat susceptible. But IT Is
not of these have to tell.
Ills time had come. The in-cvcry-
way-dcsirable young person had pre-
scntcd herself. True, she was not so
Young as she had been; but, then, that
was n mere triflc. She was just his
own age, Of as good u family as his
avn, and an heircss Of considerable de-
gree. She was not-wcll, not exactly
handsome, and was rIher inclined Ia
what is politely called plumpncss; but
Arthur's mamma and Arthur's long
head give their approval-and Arthur
did not care who She might be, SO long
rs she possessed the above qualiiica
tons, particularly the one involving q
very neat fortune in her own right.
Besides, Arthur was getting n hi
desperate. In fact, he had so far ex
ceeded his own salary and the matcrna
allowance (Which, by the way, was a
large as Mrs. Ferris could aitord) tina
, nothing short Of miracle, or matri
, monial alliance, such rs he had been ~
long seeking, could save him from get
I ting into very deep water.
: And thus il camo 60 pass that thi
1 winter found him engaged to Mis-
Iicrnicc Field, much to the satisfaction
. II his mother. who was visiting In New
, York, and to whom he had, like tn
. lutiful son nc was, sent the gratifying
n news ut once.
!. lie was disappointed, h"'-.ycvcr. o
. 'hc Poih'' - "~' loaded urliully 10
a an early "';uuing, but Miss Field la
o set her foot down with much hrmncs
d ard said ho must go through n Ion
v probationary pcriod-all Of whic
!: Arthur failed TO understand. lie ha
/. always been noted for his pcrsunsiv
If powers, and had fiGttered himself thi
a Bernicc, with her gentle, clinging, bu'
|, ike ways, would succumb at once.
Now, be It known that Miss Bernie
Field had not arrived at years Of di
,retion for nothing Neither had sh,
a not unprcposscssinP young pcrsoI
with nearly half.million Ia her ow
D right, passed through the experience
10 II ten seasons without gathering uni
# herself much knowledge Of the way
and wiles Of wicked man. She la
:. had, as might have been eXpccte'
10 offers TO high number; but, thus ia
re the gentlemen concerned had failed
" by reason Of their unanimous desire
~ .ouch her purse-to touch, in the fir
place, the all-important key To IL, whiC
~ was hidden away in her plump bosom
Is And Miss licrnicc Field was world
n wise in her day and generation.
no She was certainly IN love with Ferr
there could be no doubt Of that. II
lutte as certain that She was very ser
1usly in love with him; but, with Il
-, wisdom born Of experience, she did n
H. let him know onc-half Of what she fc
for him.
II anyone had told Ferris that lac vi
lust now in very shalSy position,
ne would have scoiTcd. His chum, |
Il ross, who was spending the winter
he house during Mrs. Ferris abscnc
had once suggested that there's maj
a Slip" but Arthur merely SHE'D sh
er 1t him, and whistlcd serenely.
II was in this frame Of mind tbs
one evening in February, he ran light
. up the steps Of the Field mansion
call on her whom Cross unfcclingly !
49, fcrred 10 as his "littlc lady love"
was wnrm, and the front door sto
aiar The little footman was not
J. his accustomed place, so Ferris wi
Is the air of one who knew just where
u was going, stepped inside. From I
open door Of Papa Field's study cal
the sound Of voices In earnest disc
o. sion, and one Of them spoke his ON
Nv name.
, w. lie halted, irrcsolutc, as would n
A., ~ one else under like circumstances. Pa
10 Field was speakng
n "Of course, my dear you are "
~ own mistress, and ! can only adv
"a Won. IL seems 10 me, however, u
IS YOU have done very foolish thing
G, engage yourself TO this young Fcrl
rs True, hc seems an exemplary you
a. N Z