Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-10-05

/
THE WHEEL CHAIR WAS BROUGHT TO A
SUDDEN HALT.
10 be imminent, 81 beg leave 10 end this
colloquy. You have claim upon my
| forbearance; otherwise should require
you TO apologize for the language in
which you have just INDUCED. Good
morning, sir"
II will readily be understood that the
effect Of this encounter was not tran
QUILTING, and there were superficial
traces Of annoyance in Norths face and
manner when, n few moments later, he
entered Mrs. Maynnrd's drawing-room.
lie had not inquired II Mrs Maynard
were discngagcd, rather indolently talk
ing il for granted that sl.e would be;
and he was very much annoyed 10 find
that lauy occupied with morning vis-
itors. Mrs. Maynard was one of the
few ladies in y who found II expo
dent TO hold morning receptions; and
this happened 10 bchcr day"
North felt extremely awkward on dis.
covering that he had intrudcd purely
business call upon a social hour; but be-
fore he could excuse himself and with
draw-indecd before he was able 10 de-
eide whether or not this would be his
better coursc-he was seized upon, fig
uratively, by the entire drawing-room
and retreat was impossible Finding
that he was intimately acquainted with
everyone present, he entered with meas
urable agrcoablencss into the current
NJ small talk, inwardly hoping that
none Of his friends would notice the
circumstance that neither when he first
addressed them. nor in his subsequent
conversation, did he call any of them
by name.
lie seized an opportunity TO speak a
few words TO Mrs. Maynard in private,
during the course of his call.
The conversation had turned upon a
wonderful cactus which the gardener
had just induced 10 bloom for the first
time, Everyone had seen II, except
North; and with the same exception
everyone was going into raptures about
It.
North Immediately became enthusi-
astic on the subject, for the cactus was
in the conservatory, beyond the reach
of the sharpest eyes or ears In the draw
ing-room,
Mrs. Maynard" he exclaimed, turn
ing TO that lady with an air Of mock
appeal, my happiness depends upon
my seeing that cactusl WIN you favor
me 10 this extent2"
With some laughing rejoinder she
led the way 10 the conservatory, which
opened from the drawing-room, and a
moment later they stood alone in the
warm, moist, perfume-laden place,
with great banks of tropical plants,
wide-spreading palms and stately can
mas casting delicate green twilight
around them and a soft, dreamy silence
pervading the fragrant gloom.
North duly examined the cactus and
, expressed the proper degree Of admira-
ton; then turning quickly 10 Mrs May
, nard, while his manner changed from
, the superficial suavity that he had
, adopted for the drawing-room TO a por-
/ tentous gravity, he said, in low tone'
, Mrs. Maynard, have something OF
/, great Importance TO tell you. You will
! be surprised perhaps disagreeably,
Shall speak now, or wait until some
, other timer"
She was tearing the petals from a
, great crlmson-hearted rose, and she did
! not look up but the slight tremor OF
: the languid white fingers betrayed 70
a him the nervous agitation against which
her pride and will were contendine
= with only partial success.
4 you may speak now, Mr. North.
: Then, YEARLY; "Why should you watt
!, 1t Is no worse at one time than another.
h "True, Mrs, Maynard; and certainty
-. Il. I 4 l.. II
ways more easily borne than suspense
, In one word, then-Annie Dupont hai
: been discovered"
o The soft color in her cheeks died on
n quickly In the surprise that she felt a
this announcement, and for an instan
n her eyes lifted themselves TO his with
q half inoredulous inquiry.
you did not expect this, Mr.. NorthP
O she questioned, quietly, n curious re
Il serve In her manner which made hin
vaguely conscious of having lost groun,
q with her since their last interview. Tn
l. intimation was too subtle and Sigh
for him TO be able TO seize upon IL AM
It definitely assign cause; but, had no
II his affairs been shaping themselves 81
% satisfactorily within the last few days
}" II would have occasioned him infinit
d uneasiness.
h Expect it9" he repeated, with
short expressive laugh. mo more thai
l Annie Dupont herself l can scarcel
10 use stronger comparison. It's tn
strangest ease, Mrs. Maynard, one q
h those that prove the statement tina
rs truth is stranger than fiction. l hav
f. not yet been able to lay my hands o
the documents which will prove he
n. identity, and establish her legal claim
Ia as Mrs. DuulSirk's niece and heiri bu
n that these documents exist have proc
- u aleAr rs hhN uQun.dAH. nnd I uunf