Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-13

every wav 20 prevent me from urging
my claim in the first place. or course,
| am not in the habit Of allowing my
self 10 be guided by Maj. Maynards
advice in matters Of any personal in
terest or importance; still, harmony in
the household Is something that one Is
willing 10 purchase at almost any cost
and In this case, really, Mr.. North, II II
had not been for your professional ad-
vice, and your resolutely taking affairs
into your own hands and assuming the
whole legal responsibility for me, !
have no doubt that ! should have
yielded TO his prejudices and allowed
my interests 10 be sacrificed, just TO
preserve the peace"
She sighed family as she spoke, lean
ing back in her chair with her eyes
downcast.
North's countenancc wore disturbed
expression during the interval Of silence
that ensued.
"This looks alarmingly like the
domestic skeletonl' he thought, almost
struggling his shoulders In his dismay.
with what charming naivete she al
ludes TO her differences with the majorl
II could have foresecn that ! should
have TO play the role Of sympathizing
| friend in a cast In which a tyrannical
husband and beautiful injured wife
we're the other leading characters, /
should scarcely have had the temerity
| 20 come here at all. With what mat
ter-of-coursc air she refers TO this deli
cate subject as II she had frequently
| discussed II with me. ! don't under
stand II. A lady might possibly make
/ her spiritual adviser the confidant of
such troubles, but does she also pour
them into the sympathetic ear of her
lawycr2 n such be the general custom,
then the fates preserve me from becom'
ing that most unhappy Of all luctlesa
mortals, some fair lady's confidential
legal adviser"
At this point In his reflections the
door-bell rang, and gay murnur OF
ladies' voices was heard In the hall.
Mrs. Maynard started up with little
gesture of annoyance, and North, per
ceiving his opportunity, rose at once 70
take leave Of her.
81 fear that am cncroaching on your
time, Mrs Maynard" he SAID. 81 had
no idea that was staying 40 long.
Alas for Norths veracity! lie had never
before endured a period Of time that
seemed 30 intcrminablc.
at Is really provoking Mr. North,
said Mrs. Maynard, after you hav'
taken the trouble to call ut this hour
that we should have 80 little time Il
talk"
"Oh, II was no trouble NJ all, Mrs
Maynard" protested North with an ali
OF light gallantry, 81 esteem II II great
honor and privilege 10 see you even TO
this brief time"
lie imagined that this fippant speecl
would be accepted with the same light
ness with which II was uttered. In
stead of this he perceived that rs h
spoke shadow Of displcasure cloudc'
Mrs. Maynard's face and something
like disdain curved the proud lips Onl.
for an instant; she recovered hersel
quickly and rejoined with u gay littl
laugh:
"Ah, You wretched nattercr! How
, often have you made that pretty speech
Good-byl No, wait! had almost for
gotten; have found that missing let
ter OF which told you once. You know
you urged me yesterday 10 renew m
, search FOR II, rs IL might prove to be q
some value ~ evidence. Don't st9p +
, read II now, but examine II ut you
leisure and then tell mo the result d
, your deliberations. All. Mrs Hunting
dou--prly excuse me, Mr.. North!-l al