Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-10-19

Withdrawing her hand quietly after n
moment, Miss Hilary drew a low hassock
forward into the glowing freight and
seated herself near the chair In which
Mrs. Maynard was reclining. For n
moment she remained silent, with her
gaze once more dreamily intent upon
the Are, where fairy castle, glowing
from the very heart Of the white Goals,
reared It's fantastic towers; then she be-
gan slowly, in n voice In which a little
effort was betrayed:
ut seems strange for me 10 speak so
freely Of this affair, and yet. after all,
there arc sufficient reasons why |
should confide the story TO you. Since
we have been thrown together under
your roof, and especially since Mr..
North has chosen suddenly 10 depart
from the cold formality Of a perfect
stranger, with which he first met me
here two weeks ago, and assume the at
titude OF an old friend-to which privi-
lege he has forfeited every claimi--it Is
only right that you should know the
little that there Is 10 tell concerning
my past acquaintance with him"
~ shall be glad TO know all, my dear
Myra," interpolated Mrs. Maynard,
softly. 1T may serve as q guide 10
my own future course"
~ met Mr. North" continued Miss
Hilary, musiugly, lin the White noun
tains, four years ago. We were guests
at the same hotel, and through the in
PRODUCTION of u common friend we were
made acquainted. From the hour Of
his introduction he became one of our
select party, and wherever we went,
whatever we did, he was sure 20 be
with us-with me-" she added, In n
lower tone, while the flre-light flashed
more redly for an instant over her pale
cheeks, "for he devoted himself to me
from the first. lie charmed mamma by
his constant and delicate attentions 10
her, and when, after six weeks ac-
quaintance, he asked for my hand In
marriage, he readily won her consent
lie had told MS little about himself or
his family, but mamma understood
from some New York friends that his
antecedents were irreproachable, and
she never thought of questioning the
worth Of his personal character.
Immediately after our engagement
we were separated. business called him
home TO New York, and mamma and |
returned TO Boston. Then fell upon me
the first bitter sorrow of my life can
not tell you the story that was brought
10 me-the cruel, cruel story that for
babe me ever TO think OF him againl !
tried To believe II was false, but so fair
IN aspect of truth did IL wear that was
forced To give II credencc. Overwhelmed
with grief, anger and humiliation on
discovering that had been deceived,
acted foolishly and hastily, my one
thought being 10 sever the bond thnt
had 80 suddenly grown hateful TO me. ]
sent the engagement ring back 10 him
with the simple request TO be released
from promise which was no longer
able TO fulfill. Mamma was III at the
time-too Ill for me TO tell her then OF
this trouble; and that very day her ply
stefan had ordered sea voyage for her,
rs the only means OF prolonging her
life. Our arrangements were hurriedly
made, and in two days more we were on
the ocean, bound for the south OF
France. This may have been the reason
that no word from Mr.. North ever
reached me; at all events, received nc
answer to my message, and could only
infer from his silenc1 that my release
was granted Internationally.
1--WE remained in France until poor
mammals death last summer; then re-
turned to Boston, at the request OF the
administrators, TO remain there until
the estate could be settled. In the
meantime had learned the truth In re
gard 10 the rumor that had caused IN,
10 break the engagement, the fatality
that had linked his name falsely anc
unjustly TO the story Of another mans
wrong-doing. | was thankful for hi
vindication, even though might never
look upon his face again; and this
scarcely expected TO do. ! saw nothing
OF him. heard nothing Of him, until, OF
the very first day Of my visit here, W.
met as strangers.
The resolute voice died away here II
something very like n sob. There wa
silence for few moments; then Mrs
Maynard said, quietly, though with evi
dent emotion:
1T Is natural, perhaps, that after tn
manner Of your ismissal-sudden, per
emptory and without any explanation
whntever-Mr. North should now Civ
YOU nothing but strangers greeting
Remember. he had sufficient occasion
for resentment, being innocent Of tina
OF which You believed him TO be guilty
and perhaps wholly unconscious Of tn
supposed fault for which you COZ
demned him unheard.
"Oh. know interrupted Miss iii
AIRY, with sharp accent Of pain, tina
sounded like impotence, in her voice
There is no defense for my course;
was hasty irrational unjust, and ] d.
serve 10 suffer all the consequences.
isn't that--it Is the evidence Of h
fchleness, his treachery, his deliberat
doublo-dealing don't you undo
stand me, Mrs. Maynard? Believe M
It was no jealous curiosity ON my par
but could not help seeing"
81 understand you, my dear Myra
said Mrs. Maynard, calmly, us the di
tressed girl paused here, at a loss e
words 10 continue. You rightly 4
vined that Mr.. North was my avow'
sutton; but, happily for me, not yet a
ceptedi"
II have no right 10 complain Of that
interposed Miss Hilary, her pretty he'
lifted. her eyes bright with girli'
pride. 1T Is not strange that he shou
admire you, love you, as his eve
glance and tone and action reveal
that he did; why, he seemed scarce
conscious Of my existence, 80 Who'll
absorbed was he in youl Aud 10 me I
strnngest part Of II all was that he
t.oxtoI 40 .aeoIlaaffnu ~ the mast