Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-11-29
glance at the mirror and started down


AS she reached the lower hall t.
frort door opened and a servant
Iaittcd girl in gray with bunch .
roscs thrust into her muff
why, Edith" she said rapidly 2
never thought TO HnI ,ou down
early II you are going out don't
me keep you"
Il am not going out; come into tie
sitting room and get warm"
! NO. won't sit down only want
I, see you q MON, mt came to as
yon To join our honsc party-the
will only be eight OF US, the same old
crowd we had last year
"The same crowd2 How delight.
full"
THE same, and not the same |
wont invite Mr. Aynew now"
"And what has poor Mr. Agnew
done?"
What has he done? Oh, nothing
unusual; they all do il sooner or later;
but an engaged man is dc trop at an
affair Of this kind. No girl wants
him for her partner, and really, one
can't blame them"
IAN engaged man. For one horri-
Bile moment Edith Alton thought she
was about to faint; the next, however,
the tables and chairs righted them
selves, her visitors face ceased its
grotes1uc gyrations and she was con-
scious that she was speaking.
"Sol Where did you hear that pleas
ant bit Of news?" she asked, seating
herself on the arm OF chair.
"Why, last night; Mr.. Lane told me
coming home Strange he never men,
toned it to you. | am horribly disap-
pointed. Fancy Charlie Agnew mar
ried to Boston girl You remember
her-a terrible little creature who
visited the Mores. Wealthy, Of course
trust Charlie for that-but, OIL SO
plain"
Beauty Is In the eye OF the be-
holder" quoted Edith, lightly. She
felt q longing to cry out, to bury her
face somewhere, instead Of which she
must smile and look unconcerned and
discuss this love affair with the indif.
ference Of mere acquaintance. Ut ]
remember rightly, she was nice little
thing"
Mice? Ileavensl Fancy Charles
coming to Enthusiastically to marrying
nice grill His best enemy couldn't
wish him worse luck. He has disap-
pointed me dreadfully. thought"
significantly, 'he iancied some one
else, somebody nearer home"
Somebody nearer home?-oh, do
you mean myself? How awfully fun
ny! Why, we IRE very good friends,
we have always been friends but ~
a rapid flash Of thought then, with
rising color: II am going to marry
another man
Her visitors face expressed intense
surprise. Going to be married." she
repeated; II had not heard
NO one has heard" said the other,
with some emotion, "and, by the way,
Mr. Manning is waiting for me In the
library must ask you to excuse me-"
"Nlr Manning!"
"Did you not guess? thought of
course you would. Don't speak Of II,
Janet. only told you because" (slow.
ly) you are such a good friend OF
mine"
"And | appreciate it accordingly.
wish you every happiness"-she laid
her hand lightly on Edith's arm-'you
know that, don't you?"
"Why, yes-you have always wished
me well, haven't you? See how po-
tent your wishes have been! But to re-
turn to our first subject, shall be
glad to go with you to Arley. Last
years visit was dream"
"Then ! shall count on YOU Come,
you will have to let me out; am not
au fat with your latch"
"What q strong wind there Is draw
up your wraps. Good-by md again
thank you for thinking Of me-
The front door slammed and Edith
stood moment in the hall, gathering
courage for what was to come; then
she turned and went into the library
Manning, who was standing at a
distant window, came forward at her
entrance.
~ am afraid kept YOU" she said,
giving him trembling hand, but
was detained by an early cali from
friend"
IAN early CALI he repeated; then
what do you think OF me?'
"Ah, but told you TO come; that is
altogether different. wanted you"
"You wanted me9" he cried eagerly;
my darling, may interpret that after
my own fashion? DO you really care
for me little?"
She could not speak, but for answer
she came to him, laying her beautiful
head on his breast.
Love me-" she whispered, passion
ately; "only love ME, and you can
make Of me what you will.
40 you know" he said to her,
about an hour later, "at first you
frightened me, but when you didn't
say No at once, began to hope.
knew It wasn't like You to keep me In
suspcnse-you are too true Of heart
for that"
"1ou true" she thought, remorse-
fully "0h, Herbert, llerbertw
But aloud she said, smiling half
sadly into his loving eyes 40 think
OF your being afraid OF me--of poor !
little me-who am not half worthy OF