Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-09-01

my presence nhVlnB buCn ulhtuIDlHR
effect on her that for hours aftcrward
she shook like one with chill Hers
was a sad death, her life going out in
darkness and deep regrets, with no fond
memories 10 cheer her
II was several days before ] could ap-
proach my sister, she was 80 cold and
reticent learned from my father
| that her married life had not been hap
py, and that after ten years Of strife
she and Ilanlcy had separated, he going
west 10 the mountains and she coming
back 20 her parents. The separation
was not final, my father hoped, but
there was no telling how long IL might
last, since IIanlcy had become extreme
ly uncertain in his habits and IL was
evident that he had no love for his
wife
| / learned that Mary was cross and eX-
acting with her husband, and that after
five or six years Of married life he had
taken 20 drinking steadily, running
| through with all his property, and
| ut last leaving her In ~ Of disgust.
So long IA my father had money Mary
had called on him for help, and he had
| given so freely that in time he seriously
| embarrassed himself. and was, rs last
resort, forced 10 place his home under
mortgage.
| ! yenrncd 10 comfort my sister, but, re.
mcmbcring what she had said about
never wanting my love or sympathy, !
was chnry Of approaching her. But at
| last had an opportunity to speak, and
! disrcgnrdng what the result might be-
| awaited myself Of It, and opened my
| heart 10 her rs n sister should, speaking
| % her tcndcrly. soothiugly and sympa.
thctically, but not MS one hayinga right
| 10 advise. | avoided all scmblancc Of
condcsccnsion or superior virtue, and
| 'nlkCd Ms one crrinS creature might tals
% another
After awhile my wort's had effect
with her, and the flush Of resentment
that first marked her face faded out,
md tears followed Al last she became
30 far rcconcilcd that she leaned her
head on my shoulder and allowed me 10
place my arm about her
Agnes" she said, when we had
talked II long time, II don't deserve
such kindness from you | said once,
you remember, that I never would
NunI your llNt W fNlhlilNllN was
wicked and silly then, and little knew
what was before us.
1--WE all do and say things" | replied,
that we are sorry for afterwards; but
we should learn To forget them"
"You can afford To be generous and
| forgiying. Agnes" she answered, be
cause you are good. II Is not so with
me. have been selfish and mean,
and when ! was prosperous disdained
you, You ought to despise me and re-
joicc TO see mo brought down 10 what
am"
81 would do myself no credit and add
nothing to my own happiness, Mary, II
cXulted over you now. WINS poor
once and fricndless, and ! know what IL
Is to he so; and for that reason can
sympathizc. Let the past be buried,
Mary, md let ms begin new life as far
rs our relations are concerned. II eth
or of MS has done or said nught that was
wrong and injured the other, let IL bc
forgiven and forgotten"
~ would to Heaven, Agnes, that II
could be so, but fear II cannot. Won
do NOT recall all | have said TO You, how
I misjudged You and impeachcd your
virtue. That, Agnes, wa, the cruclcst
thing OF all, because know II was not
true"
had not till that moment recalled
what she had said of my virtue, and the
remembrance Of her words for an in
slant checked my love and sent pang
of resentment to my breast. But ! let
II pass directly, and looking down into
her eyes said;
THAT was tho cruclest wrong you
ever did me, Mary, but forgive IL.
Let II go with the rest Of the past and
he forgotten. You regret 1t now, |
| know"
~ do, do. regret it sincerely, and
would give half my life TO be able to
recall IT,"
Mary felt better after our conference,
and appeared much happier. She need
ed sympathy and love, for she had long
been denied them. | promised that
Charles and ! would do everything we
could to reclaim Ilanley and bring him
bacl, to her, n promise we kept with
such good result that i'm time he returned,
lie aud Mary settled down In n
small town where Charles secured n po-
sition for WIN, and, though cannot say
they are happy, they are better con
tented and more prosperous than they
had been before.
Soon after my stepmother's death
my father was compelled TO give
up his home, the last Of all his poses
sions. lie was adrift In the world, just
as had been years before when | was
driven from the same sheltering roof
but there was n difference, for while nc
heart beat in sympathy for me, one
heart beat In sympathy for him.
opened my door and took him In; Civ
ing him daughters love, and making
the few years remaining To him n
pleasant and comforting MS ! could
Charles seconded my efforts, exertinl
himself 10 his utmost TO cheer my ageS
father and bring to him what be coul'
OF the feeling of rest and welcome.
And now there Is one more whom
, must not forget-one who loved me II
my childhood when no other love wa
, mine-one who consoled my childisl
riefs, and shed tears OF sympathy 70
me when was neglected by everyon,
clse-one who through many years o
: separation kept n warm place in he
heart for me, remaining true aud stead
? fast in her love through all the change
time brought. That one is Aunt Mary
met her whom ! returned 10 N,
! fathers house aud II would DO hard {,
: say which of us enjoyed our meeting
, the most Kneeling by her side pu
, my arms about her neck, just us Ill,
, when . child, and she put her arm
{ about my whist, and together we talked