Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-09

her. he was equally conscious tnat snc
was more bcwildcringly fascinating 20
him IN her present inaccessible intelli-
gence and practically
~ confess" he said looking into her
eyes with a vague smile, ~ did not ex-
pect you would be 40 forgetful Of some |
one who had evidently cared for you"
Meaning Mr.. Chct Brooks, or Mr.. |
Joyce Mastcrtou, or bothl ThOts like |
most yo' men, Connie. Yo' reckon |
because girl plcascs you she ought TO |
be grateful all her life, and yors, tool |
Yo' think different nowl But yo' needn't
act up 10 II quite 50 much She made
little dcprccating gesture with her
disengagcd hand as II 10 ward Oft any
retaliating gallantry; 81 amt speaking
for myself. connie. Yo' and me nre
good enough friends, but the girls
round here think yo'rc tri1c too much
taken up with rice and niggcrs- And
looking at II even In your light, connie,
Il amt Jps ness. Yo' want to keep
straight with Mai Reed 80 IL would
be lust as well 10 square the MAJORS
woman folks 'Tavy and Gussic Reed
amt exactly poisonous. connie, and yo'
might sec one or the other home from
church next Sunday Tho Sunday after
that, just 10 show you amt particular,
and that go go In for being regular
beau, yo' might walk home with me-
Don't be frightcned-I've got u better
gown than this. It's n new one-just
come from Nashville--and I'll wear IA
for the OCCASION"
lie did not dare say that the quaint
| frock she was then wcaring-a plain
checked" household bingham used for
childrcn's pinaforcs, with its ribbons Of
the same pattern. gathered In bows at
the smart apron pockets, had become II
part OF her beauty, for he was already
hopclcssly conscious that she was love
| " In anything, and he might be inn
PEELED 20 say 30. lie thanked her grave
~ and earnestly, but without Rallantry
or cffusion, and had the satisfaction Of
seeing the mischief in her eyes increase
In proportion TO his seriousness, and
heard her say with affected concern:
Bear up, connie. Don't let 1t worry
yo' till the time comes" and took his
leave.
On the following Sunday he was pres
cnt at the Rcdlunds Episcopal church,
and after the service stood with out
word composurc but some inward chat
ing among the gallant youth, who,
after the local fashion, had ranged
themselves outside the doors ~ the
building. lie was somewhat surprised
to find Mr. Champncy evidently as much
ont Of place M himself, but less self
contained. waiting in the crowd of cX-
pcctant cavaliers Although convinced
that the young Engishmun had come
only to sec Miss Sally, he was glad 70
share his awkward isolation with an
other stranger, and greeted him pleas
antly. The BOWS pew being nearer u
the entrance than the Reeds, gave up
its occupants first Col CORTLAND
lifted his hat to Miss Miranda and her
niece. ut the same moment that Champ
ncy moved forward aud ranged him.
self beside them. Miss Sally. catching
Couriland's eye, showed the whites of
her own In backward glance Of mis-
chicvous significance to indicate the fol-
lowing Reeds. When they approached
CORTLAND Joined them, and finding him
self beside Miss octavia, entered into
conversation. Apparently the sup
pressed passion and sardonic mclan-
choiy Of that darls-cycd young lady
spurrcd him 10 II lighter, gayer humor
even In proportion as Miss Sally's good.
naturcd lovity and sunny practically
mndc him serious. They presently fell
10 the rear. with other couples, and
were soon quito alone.
A little naughty. but tail and erect
in her well preserved black grcnadinc
dress, which gave her the appearance of
youthful but implacable widow, Miss
Reed declared she hud not seen the
Z connie for "a coon's age and GER
, tainly had not expected to have
, the honor Of his company rs long
, ns there were niggcrs to be elevated or
. painted TO look like white mon. She
hoped that he and paw and Sally Bows
r were happy! They hain't yet got so
far Ms 10 put up Niger preacher
Z in the place of Mr.. Symcs, their rector,
but she understood that there was some
! talk Of running Hannibal johnson,
r Miss BOWS coachman, for county
b Judge. next year No? tSho had not
= heard that the connie Hssf had
e thought Of running for the Office! lie
y might laugh at her rs much rs he
/. lil,cd-hc seemed 10 he in better spirit,
v than whom she first saw him-only she
9 would like TO know II II was "no'th'r
4 style" to laugh coming home from
@ church? OF course II II tds she would
10 have To adopt IL with the Fifteenth
Is amendment. But Just now, she no
r. ticcd the folks were staring at then
r and Miss Sally BOWS had turned rount
l. 70 lookl Nevertheless Miss 0ctavia''