Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-02

lations that he might have with Miss
Sally Nevertheless he met the Eng
| glishman's offer 10 accompany him with
polite gratitude, and they left the house
together.
In less than an hour they returned.
| II had not even taken that time for
CORTLAND 10 discover that the real inn
provcmcnts and the new methods had
originated with Miss Sally; that she
was virtually the controlling influence
there, and that she was probably re-
tar1cd rather than assisted by the old
fashioned and traditional conservatism
Of the company OF which Champney was
steward. IL was equally plain, how
ever. that the young fellow was dimly
conscious Of this and was frankly com
municativc about H.
you sec, over there they work things
In n different way, and by Jove! they
can't understand that there Is any
other, don't you know They're always
wigging me as II | could help IL, al
though I've tried 10 explain the nisgcr
business, and all that, don't you lsnow2
They want Miss Sallic 10 refer her plans
to me, and expect me 10 report TO them,
and then they'll submit them 10 the
board and wait for its decision. Fancy
Miss Bows doing thatP But, by Jovcl
they can't conceive Of her at all over
thcrc-dont you lsnow2"
(Which Miss Dows do you mean?"
asked CORTLAND dryly.
"Miss Sally, Of course" said the
young fellow, brisltly "She manages
evcrything-her aunt included. She
can make those niggers work when no
one else cana word or smile from her Is
enough. She can make terms with
dealers and contractors-her own terms.
too-whcn they won't look ut my ag-
urcs. by Jovcl she gets points out OF
those travelling agents and inventors,
don't you know. who come along the
road with patents and samples. She
got one Of those lightning rod and wire
fence men ~ show her how 10 put up
an urbor for her trailing roses. Why,
when FIRST saw you up on the cornice.
| thought you were some other chap
don't you lsnow2 that she'd asked
that is, at first. Of course, you know
what | mcan-ha, by Jovcl-beforc
we were introduccd-don't you know"
81 think offered 10 help Miss Bows"
said CORTLAND. with u quiclness that
lac at once regretted.
" SO did he, don't you know? Miss
Sally does not dsk anybody Don't you
sect fellow don't like 70 stand by and
see young lady like her doing such
work" Vaguely aware Of some infc.
licity In his speech, he awlswurlly
turned the subject. ~ don't think
shall stay here long, myself"
You expect 10 return to England?"
asked Courtland.
"Oh, mol But shall 90 out of tho
company's service and try my own
hand There's good bit Of land about
three miles from here thats in the mar
yct. and think | could make some.
thing out Of il. A fellow ought to set.
tie down and be his own MASTER" he
answered. tentatively, "eh?"
But how win Miss Bows be able to
spare your" asked Courtlaud. uucasily
conscious that he was assuming an in.
difference.
"Oh, I'm not much use 10 her, don't
you know-nt least not ksre. But I
might II had my own land and II we
were ncighbors ! told you SIZE runs the
place, no matter who's here, or whose
money is invested"
II presume you are speaking now of
Young Miss Dows?" said CORTLAND,
dryly.
Miss Sally--of course-always, ="
said Champney, simply "she runs the
shop"
Were there not some French invest
| -
anybody represent Msm5 asked Court
land, pontcdly
Yet he was not quite prepared for the
naive change In his companions face
NO There was sort of French cousin
who used to be good deal to the fore.
| don't you know-but | rather fancy he
didn't come here to look after the prop.
oty," returned Champney with quick
laugh. ~ think the aunt must have
written TO his friends, for they called
him of. and don't think Miss sally
broke lcr heart about him. She's not
that sort of girl-eh2 She could have
her pick OF the state u she went in for
that sort of thing. ehp"
Although this was exactly what Court
land was thinking II pleased him to
answer In distract sort OF fashion:
Certainly | should think So" and To
relapse into an apparently business alb
straction.
~ think ! won't go in" continued
Champney as they neared the house
again. 81 suppose youll have some
thing more TO say to Miss BOWS II
there's anything else you want Of me
come TO the Office. But she'll know.
And-er-er-if you're-er-er staying
long In this part OF the country ride
over and look me up-dont You know,
and have smoke and julep; | have a
boy who knows how TO mix them and
I've some old brandy sent me from the
other side, Good-by."
More awkward in his kindliness than
In his simple business condolences, but
apparently equally earnest In both he
shook Courtland's hand and walked
away CORTLAND turned towards the
house lie had seen the farm and its
improvements; he had found some OF
his own ideas practically discounted;
clearly there was nothing left for him
to do but TO thank his hostess and take
his leave. But he felt far more uneasy
than when he had arrived; and there was
n singular sense Of incompleteness in his
visit that he could not entirely account
for. His conversation with Champney
had complicated-he knew not why
his previous theories of Miss BOWS, and
although he was half conscious that
this had nothing 10 do with the bust
| ness that brought him there he tried to