Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-10

I.EAsISe BACK LANeUIpLY.
There was pitiless mood beneath the
suavity with which, on reaching Mrs
Maynard's residence, he inquired for
that lady.
Williams, answering that Mrs. May
nard was at home and at leisure, took
Mr.. North's hat with an air OF great
solicitude, leaving that gentleman 10
make his own way 10 the drawing-room
and enter unannounced.
Mrs. Maynard was quite alone there.
Leaning back languidly In q crimson
fauteuil, with the train OF her white
cashmere morning dress sweeping In
soft graceful folds around her, she pre-.
sented picture that struck North's
artistic fancy at once. She was par
TALLY turned from him, as he entered;
and, as she rested her head thought
fully on one slender white hand the
clear, delicate profile of face and figure
In Its perfect repose reminded him OF an
exquisite piece Of statuary. lie invol-
UNFAIRLY paused to contemplate her;
and, proof though he was against the
fatal spell Of beauty, even he, the
cynical North, felt n singular thrill
which was all admiration, but which
might have been something else had
the soul Of an unspoiled man been in H.
Suddenly recollccting himself, North
advanced toward Mrs. Maynard across
the rich, velvet carpet The scarcely
audible movement aroused her from her
revcric. Lifting her head quickly she
met North's eyes; n slight change came
over her as She rose TO receive him. She
stood for an instant
10 neither sclfpossessed
Nor startled hut bctwist this mood and that
Divided In graceful quiet"
A delicate flush, faint, sweet smile,
u doubtful, questioning, wondering
perpleXity; swiftly ns a ray Of light or
a passing thought these changes came
and went; and then, as II by magic--so
quickly that North almost doubted
whether she had changed ut ala cold
statelincss came into her manner,
touch of hautcur that made him feel ms
" an impossible distance had suddenly
been put between them; as, acknowledge
Ing his greeting with gracious formal.
lty, she said, in her low, flexible tones
"ls Il possible, Mr. North2 You
never came more OPPORTUNITY. am
suffering from ennui,"
"You, Mrs. Maynard2" cried North,
In gallant amazemcnt. "Surely you
should he exempt from that Affections;
thought II was the peculiar privilege
of commonplace mortals like myself"
Together with humility and all the
other graces of character2" quericd
Mrs. Maynard, as she motioued To him
to be seated and sank back languidly
into the crimson depths Of her fauteuil
II always knew, Mr.. North, that the
latter were your peculiar privilege and
possession"
"ls sarcasm an infallible antidote for
cnnui?" inquired North, rs he wheeled
chair forward slowly and seated him
self near Mrs Maynard, while his eyes
held hers steadily for full moment by
, their direct, quizzical glance. III 80,
Mrs. Maynard, proceed. Your most
cruel satircs win sound in my ears like
sweetest music"
Then shall have no inducement "a
utter them You quite disarm me, Mr.
North. Besides, some mysterious In
y tuition warns me that you have come
+" this morning for something of fal
~, greater Importance than u mere pas
u sage at arms. What IL II, Mr.. North
y Word from New York ut last2 Ali
u sec that am right Tell me at once
U please, is the news favorablc2 Oh, Il
~ must bel cannot endure the thought
y OF disappointment
20 The delicate color that had flushed
into her cheek dccpened now and hel
70 dark eyes were sparkling with excite
70 ment IA, clasping her hands daintily
!" she looked up ut North with n bewiteh
u ing expression of hope and suspense,
y A potuiar emotion which was neithe
, pity nor rcmorse, yet curiously re
:, scmbling both, held North silent for
~ brief time; then, with his grave, keel
=, glance resting on Mrs. Maynard, he an
~ swered, in n low tone:
y "Unhappily for me, Mrs. Maynard,
~ has been beyond my power to contrc
" this case or determine the results :
=. suit ourselves But, whatever we ma
~ have to regret, our suspense ON at leas
'u one point is ended, and ON this we ma
well congratulate ourselves"
;" An expression Of dismay, succecde
: quickly by incrcdulity, swept over MIR
" Mnynnrds countcnRncc. Leaning TO
'n ward in her chair, she exclaimed, In
- periously;
~ "You are speaking In riddles, NJ
~ North Pray tell me, To what impo
"' tant announcement are these vague an
.. general observations the preludeP"
~ "Why-ah--in fact, Mrs. Maynar
uu nothing could be worse;" and Nortl
=, after vainly casting about for SOU
y. happy phrascology by which to softe
~ the intelligence, now plunged reckless
~ into tho explanation. Nothing couI
y. be worse than tho news that lloplkil
~ !. und Shepherd have sent us. 1t is n
/ duty TO inform you that decision WI
reached in our case ON Wednesday"
"A decision at last and what is II
"a A-AIhjlaav y EaEly honaA aud