Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-27
fHE FATE OF A FLIRT.
Her Unprinoipled Actions Brought
Deserved Reward.


The delicious fragrance OF hot-houso
flowers fioated through the half-lighted
parlors like "reminiscences Of the sweet
SOUTH" although the matter-of-fact al
manac stolidly persisted in pointing out
December as the month, and the Their
mometer without stood uncomfortably
near zero. But the marble vases on
either side of the fireplace were Allied
with roses and heliotrope, from the
tropic warmth Of conservatories, and 4
single dazzling japonica CLEANED, like
a carved pearl, among the jetty folds Of
Ella Wardlaw's hair as she stood smil-
ing, listening to the regretful adieux Of
him whom the world called her lover.
"Good-by, Ella shall como again
very soon"
Miss Wardlaw's heart throbbed high.
Charles Forrest had never before called
her Ella" and she felt triunphantly
conscious that her proud beauty and
her seductive notes had very nearly
brought him to the proposing point"
| One or two more such vigorous sieges,
and the fortress would be her own.
She sank, yawning, on sofa, as the
door closed upon her lover, and clasped
her white hands careleSsly over her
head.
Mrs. Charles Forrest" she repeated
to herself-"that doesn't sound so very
badly, does it9 particularly as the afore-
said Mrs. Charles Forrest will step into
a brown-stone palace, a carriage and a
| perfect carcanet of family diamondsl
Yes, l believe he is safely cntrspped,
and II play my cards as well as l can,
the matter will be settled within three
daysl Heigho! this misunderstanding is
wearisome business, after ali; and
rather hazardous, unless one Is very
sltillful. That reminds me-" she added,
starting suddenly up, and throwing off
her soft languor AZ one might lay aside
useless garment; II must write to
Ralph Thornby tonight; IL the love-
stricken wretch should fulfill his limited
intimation of coming TO see me, II
might possibly be awkward"
II was nearly one, and the fire had
burned very low before Ella finished
the carcfully-worded note and sealed IL
with a fairy-lihe device OF entangled
initials in pink wax.
The beautiful yelvet-cheelSed CO.
| NhNANtf WIN hOA hAOOPlhk NJCllub anu
voice attuned 10 the sweetest and
softest key-one would not have
thought, as she placed that letter on
the marble mantel, that she knew its
contents were meant TO break the heart
OF a noble and true souled man.
When Charles Forrest descended the
broad stone steps Of the Wardlaw man
sion and walked along the lamp-lghted
street he felt dizzy and happy. The
sirens spell was on him-and yet some
warning, watchful pulse down deep In
his heart kept beating the old, incom-
prehensible tune: "Bewarel bewarel"
lie passed through the noisy tumult
of broadway. A great hotel Office
threw . blaze of light into the street.
A crowd had assembled there--the mid
night mails had just arrived-and For
rest mingled with the throng to hear
the fleeting rumors of war which then
vexcd the public mind.
Forrest old fellow can 1t be posi-
bio that this is youP"
Myself, and no other, Thornby; but
| thought you were safely settled In
Chicago, practicing law, instead Of"
Instead Of running wild about the
country, you were going to say. But
granted myself a temporary holiday 10
-Pshaw, can't tell you about 1t here;
come up to my room, and Wen have 4
cozy, old-fashioned chat"
The delightful little impromptu sup
per OF well-seasoned dainties, washed
down by champagne, was over, and the
two gentlemen were smoking, when
Thornby abruptly plunged into tho
subject which was uppermost In his
mind.
Charley, I'm In Lowell"
you arc? My dear fellow, so am
u"
81 am glad Of that, because you can
sympathize with me. have come here
expressly to see her and have the day
fixed for the wedding"
II haven't got quite 80 far a. that"
said Forrest, smiling
But, Charley, she Is the loveliest
creature that the sun ever shone on
an angel, divinity"
Hold on, Ralph-not quite the lowell
est, | trust for the lady whom worship
Ia alone entitled to that superlative de-
gree Of praise"
You're in love, too, my dear boy, 30
IN excuse any little symptoms OF insan-
ity,' rcjoincd Thornby. laughingi but
really, II you could see Ella-hold on,
believe I've got her picture somewhere
about mel"
lie searched eagerly In his pockets,
while Forrest repeated the soft name
owes.
LILA? Why that is tho name OF tho
young lady whom I admire SO much,
AMI by Jove," he added, as Thornby un-
clnspcd a little velvet miniature case,
and held it toward him, "that is the very
faecl lou don't mean 70 say you are
engaged to that girl?
TO be sure | am-what do you
mean? Surely there is some rniAtzlA