Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-03-16

presence Of her handicapped 10
bo potent in nursing and herb-lore-
whom she had detached ~ wait upon
him, and he had returned politely for
NAL Acknowledgement 10 her inquiries
lie had determined TO continue this
personal avoidance, as far as possible,
until lac was relieved, on the ground Of
that business expedicncy which these
events had made necessary SIC would
see that he was only accepting the argu-
mcnts with which she had met his
previous advances. Briefly, he had re-
course to that hopeless logic by which n
man proves TO himself that he has no
reason for loving certain woman and
Is as incontcstably convinced by the
same process that he has. And In the
midst OF IL he weakly fell asleep, and
dreamed that he and Miss Sally were
wallSing In the cemetery; that hide
ous snake concealed among some
lilies, over which the young girl was
bending. had upliftcd its triangular
head To strife That he seized IL by the
neck, struggled with II until he wns
nearly exhausted, when II suddenly
collapsed and shanlt, leaving Ia his
palm the limp, crushed and delicatcly-
perfumed little thread glove, which he
remembered to have once slipped from
her hand.
When he awolSe that perfume seemed
10 be still In the air, distinct from the
fresh but homelicr scents of the garden
which stole through the window. A
sense OF delicious GOODNESS came with
a., f.t
the slanting stats Of the blind with u
slumberous humning as Of bees. The
golden glory Of sinking southern sun
was penciling the cheap paper on the
wall with leafy traccry and glowing
arabesques But, more than that, the
calm OF some potent iniluence-or some
unseen prescnce-wa upon him. which
he feared movement might dispcl.
Thu chair ut the foot of his bed was
empty Sophy had gone out. lie did
not turn his head TO look further; his
languid eyes falling aimlessly upon the
carpet ut his bedside suddenly dilated,
for they fell also on the smallest foot
In the state"
lie started Ia his elbow, but soft
hand was laid gently yet firmly upon
his shoulder, and with faint rustic OF
muslin skirts Miss Sally rose from NJ
unseen chair ut the head OF his bed ant
stood beside him
Don't stir, connie | didn't sit whcr,
I could look in yo'r face for fca
Of walking so But III change seat
now" She moved 10 the chair tina
Sophy had vacated, drew II slight!
nearer the bed, aud sat down.
t 1T was very kind of you t. come.
I said CORTLAND, hcstatingly as, with
t strong effort, he drew his eyes ava,
, from the fascinating vision, and re
s gained certain cold composure, but
am ufraid my illness hns been grcatl
/, magniiled really am quite wei
- enough TO bc mp und about my bus
= ness, u the doctor would permit IT, Uu
Q | shall certainly manage 10 attend :
my duty tomorrow, and hope to be a
: your service"
Il Meaning that yo' don't care 10 sc
I me Rcie, connie" she snid, lightly, wit
D IA faint twinkle In her wise, sweet eye
r 4 thought Of that, but MS my bushes
I wouldn't wait, | brought II to you.
r She took from the folds of her gown
letter To his utter ama2emcnt 1t wa
s the one lac had given his ovcrseer I
s post 10 the commandment that morning
" To his greater indignation the seal va
broken
r who has dared" he demanded hn
rising
Her little hand was thrust out ha
y deprecutiugly mo one go can Ugh
e connie; only me- don't general
G open other folks letters, and wouldn
c have done II for myscG' I did for yo'.'
|, "l'or mr?'
n For yo' reckoned what yo' mig
C do, aud told Sam 70 bring me the lie
d tcrs lnst, didn't mind what yc
d wrote 10 the company-for they'll tai
:. care Of go and their own eggs are d
10 In the same basket didn't open "a
70 one. But did Ms when ! saw the u
n dress. II was as expected. and you
Il given yo'self away For " go ha
ie those soldiers down here, yo'l have
II row, surel Don't move, connie, y
y may not care for thRt--lts In your lin
e but folks will sny that the Holdie
=. weren't sent 70 prevent riHfgg, b
e. that Connie Courtland was using !
T. old comrades 10 keep order on ]
- property Ut gov'ment expense. III
T. on Hol onl co'nule," said the lit
10 figure, rising and waving It's pref
1 arEns with a mischievous simulation