Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-06-07
A F0RSAKEN DUTY.
But It Was Well Cared for by
Bravo Girl

A faint tinge of color few to Tom
Carlin's cheek.
81 want 20 go down TO Jimtown to- |
morrow on business I'm going TO take .
the morning train"
what business2"
That's my affair, Lou, and don't |
you ask any questions" he answered |
gruflly.
The girl at the other side Of the room
came TO her brothers side and laid
hand on his shoulder.
"rm afraid, Tom" she murmured, |
sadly
Afraid OF whatp"
Afraid that those rough men you
have been taking up wi.h lately will
lead you into trouble. You are going
20 Jimtown with them-I know it, Oh,
Tom, don't go. For my sake, Tom"
She placed an arm around his neck
and looked pleadingly into his eyes.
lie hesitated a moment and then
started to his feet, throwing her from
him.
Don't make a fool OF yourself, Lou.
I'm going TO Bismarck in the morning
and that settles it."
III thought IL was to Jlmtown."
well, Jimtown, then"
"You ought TO be here, Tom, attend.
ing TO business Don't you know that
Henry Gordon is going north to.mor-
row morning with fifteen thousand
dollars for the bank ut Sykeston?'
"Of course know IT," replied Tom,
a strange glitter In his eye. THE
more fool he for not taking the train
and going around by way OF Jimtown
instead of carrying that amount Of
money across country"
1.-THE money must be in the hands OF
the bank by tomorrow afternoon" re-
turned the girl. 'If he goes by train,
via Jimtown, he won't reach SySeston
before midnight"
"Well, it's none OF my affair" NUT
tered Tom; ~ wonder who | can get to
run the stage for me2'
~ will, Tom"
lie started forward impetuously.
mo, no, Lou-not you!' hs cried.
Not you, anyone but you! Promise
me you won't run the stage!"
! His words were wild; his looks plead
! ing.
/ She drew herself up trlne sternly.
"If you forsake your duty when you
are needed most, II devolves upon me-
who love you and care for your reputa.
ton, to step into your shoes and do the
work you fail to perform. | shall run
the stage!'
/ lie turned his back to her and
walked toward the door. There lie
I paused, the spirit OF good striving
within his breast TO overcome the spirit
of evil. But the strife was in vain.
lie faced her once more with cruel
laugh.
~ see through your scheme, Lou.
You're setting your cap at this Gordon
you're afraid he'll get into trouble
with that fifteen thousand dollars Of
his-ha, Ia, hal That talk about your
brother is all very fine, but II won't
wash. I'm off for Jim;own, anyway.
Good-by, Loul"
Waiting for no parting word from his
pale-faced sister, Tom Carlin passed
out OF the house.
Half AN hour nftcrward n knock fell
upon the door OF the little shack"
where Tom Carlin, the stage-driver,
and his sister lived.
The knock was twice repeated before
It was answered.
Lou at once threwopen the door, and
when she saw who the caller was would
have given the world had her eyes held
fewer traces Of tears recently shed.
Come in, Henry" she said.
A young man with Il handsome, reso-
Lutte face stepped into the room and
caught her hand
"Good-evening, Lou" said he, and
then, noticing her red and downcast
eyes, he would have said something
further but stopped himself with an
effort that was almost a sigh.
Pardon me for calling at this un-
seemly hour, Lou, but wished 10 talk
with Tom. Is ho herc?"
She shook her head mutely.
There are two or three desperate
looking strangers in town, and came
to ask your brother II he thought there
would be any danger in my taking that
money north tomorrow. DO not think
me cowardly, Lou; II is not my own
money, you know should feel differ
emily II IL were otherwise"
"There is not the slightest danger,
Henry" she replied Tom is not here,
30 | will answer for him"
"Thani you" he returned You
have treasured me, but"
lie paused.
"But what?" she asked
Nothing" he returned, catching her
hands and looking wistfully into her
face. II shall have something TO tell
you, Lou, when I come back from
Slsyeston."
Tell me now"
Smiling, he shook his head Bringing
her hand quickly TO his lips he kissed
II, leaving her at once with an abrupt
good night"
IAN aboard Tor Sykestonm
II was woman's voice that spoke
the words as four horses came dashing
up TO the Dawson house dragging the
Mouse river stage.
Four passengers came out Of the no
tel, among them Henry Gordon. See
ing Lou Carlin on the box he stopped
short, astounded,
where's Tom, Lou2n he asked
'Iimtown," she answered, briefly.
Gordon's face became grave
'When did he go2"
ION this mornings train"
"1'he three o'clock tramp
Yea