Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-13
SSNoRT2Y.
LcopyrlEh,sd 1891. by S. S Morton. an
published BY special arrangement

fore subjected her 20 MS unoptrusivc
but critical observation.
Their eyes met directly for an instant
after their first salutatiOns, and during
that instant North fancied that he
could perceive swift and subtitle
change come over her lie could not
have defined the change any more than
he could have accounted for II. He only
knew that n sudden little shadow fitted
over her face, sudden little chill came
into her manner, n curious mingling OF
surprise, annoyance and perplexity took
the place Of the frank eordiality with
which she at first greeted him. She
seemed 10 lose her self-possession for a
moment, and her first words, though
evidently intended 20 DO light and care
less, were spoken with n nervous rap
idity that quite betrayed her.
"Hlow very kind In you, Mr.. North, 10
be so punctuall" she exclaimed, ~ she
sank gracefully into low easy-chair
and waved him back 10 his seat. 81
really have not a moment this after
noon that ] can call my own, but ]
thought | must sec you " only 10 say
two words. The ladies' guild, Of which
am NO unfortunate rs TO be president,
Is ~ meet with me for special session
Of closed doors, and already several Of
the members have arrived, so you see ]
shall have just Ave minutes TO devote 10
you-or rather, shall detain you only
for that time. You understand, Of
course, why / sent for you?" with n
swift, questioning glance at him, a
slight trace Of anxiety In her manner.
North gravely assentcd and endeav'
ored 10 look wise.
"Of course" he said 10 himself, with
his usual facility for quieting his own
conscience. "she sent for me because
abe wanted 10 see me. Isn't that clear
enough2 Anyone might understand
that"
81 mean" added Mrs. Maynard, with
a curious effect Of measuring her words
with difficulty because Of her usual
habit OF speaking impulsivcly and UNI
guardedly, you understand my--anx'
iety?"
She hcsitated again and seemed 10 be
waiting for him 10 speak AS he could
do nothing however, but assent to her
remarks with wise, non-committal air,
she resumed with sudden vivncity:
"Wcro you very much disappointed
last evening, Mr.. North2 | was so pro
volIed when Williams told me that you
had called. What IL that very impor'
tant communication that you wished "a
make? | assure you | have been In q
perfect fluttcr Of curiosity ever since
]
Hero was swift retribution, truly
North frantically regretted that mo
ment of indccision that had been his I'M
doing Everything danced before his
eyes for an instant as he dilzily sought
in the recesses Of his mind for some
plausible means Of extricating himself
from this embarrassing dilemma. lie
had gone altogether too far now To think
Of retrcuting prccipitatcly and aclnowl
cdging the dnring pcrBonation that h,
had attempted; there was positive
ly no alternative but to face the situa
ton coolly and make the best of II.
"Oh, really. Mrs. Maynard lac said
affecting great negligence, civilians
must have drawn upon his imagination
little, think To Ice sure, he may
have fancicd that my crrand was very
pressing, but, In fact, don't you know
1t is nothing Of Importance, after all
am sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. May
nard, but, really, gave Williams n'
special message at all"
"Oh! Indeed. Then he probabl,
misunderstood" the lady rejoined, will
IA thoughtful air; but North nrrvousl!
fancicd that she was by no means sat
isfed In her own mind that he was tell
ing her the truth the whole truth, an,
nothing but the truth.
IL was 50 confident" she went u
: presently, that you had receive
some important word from New Yorh
Have you really heard nothing, MI
; NOrth?'
mot one syllable" declared Nortl
q solemnly, thankful for the ability
9 keep at least within the lcttcr Of III
T. truth without compromising his safety
+ "rhut Is very strange, indeedw e.
g claimed Mrs. Maynard; then, after
q thoughtful little pause, lasting perh0T
: Eve seconds, she added, gayly:
= However, shall not repinc until
G have greater cause than this, | am ce
!, tuinly learning all the bitterness {
u hope deferred; but what else can e
u pect pray2 Iou lawyers are such
&c tedious set, with your red tape M
T. legal process and strange and myst
riuus udjournments, and your thousan
VI and.one ingenious inventions 10 eau
!" delay; really, to an uninitinted persC
like myself, II is simply marvellous ho
10 long II case can be dragged out aftoi
70 once gets into the courts! No, NJ
81 North, don't begin an eloquent defcn
At Of your professional guild they dor
III deserve II, and have no time to liste
st II they did had two distinct object
y, aside from my natural curiosity abo
GO that very important communicate,
nc which You now eyince such perver
'e- determination 10 withhold from me,
asking you to call on me this aftcrnoo
In the first place, wish 10 remind y
OF the cxpcdiency Of keeping from
major all knowledge Of these new
vcstigations that we are about to ins
tutc. You know the poor dear majo
peculiarities2"
\ This with an inquir,ng elevation
i the delicate brows, u deprccating cur
y Of the delicate lips,
1 North nsscntcd with two or TIN
A grave and comprehending mods, as II
IN say; This Is between ourselves n
" is perfectly understood No furtl
words are necessary"
wonder II one of these self-sa
pcculiarities is an interesting habit
I'm listening at the doors2' he mus
TIN zone would fancy so from the cautiC
lN' II. l..,.