Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-06-28

the mystery concerning the people at
the river house. Mrs. Allen and her
daughter seemed oblivious OF all the
dark hints that were thrown out about
then.
Suspicion grew fast Many things
were said Of the occupants Of the river
house. 81 Jenkins, who lived near.
told his wife that lights burned there
oil night Ezra Burke saw a woman
in white come to an upper window and
look out with wild eyes lie knew IL
was woman because OF her long hair,
else he'd although II were old Smiths
ghost" Conjecture ran high At last
1t was decided that delegation of
women headed by Mrs. Simplxins should
wait upon Mrs. Allen and demand an
explanation of the mystery.
For such is our Christian duty"
said Mrs. Burke, who stood high in tho
church. ut is my opinion that their
name is not Allen at all, but Smith,
and I'd not be one bit surprised IL they
turned out to be some kin OF that old
John Smith whose ghost haunts that
very house, and whose grandfather,
they do say, was hung"
So the next afternoon the delegation
started on its errand.
"I'm just aching to tell them what
think of such doings," Mrs Simpkins
said, as she raised the heavy brass
knocker and applied IL with so much
energy that the door was opened al
most Immediately by pretty Miss Nora
How are you, ladies2 Walk right
ill.," she said, evidently rather sur
prised. Mamma will be here in a
very few minutes She has gone for
the mail"
Mrs. Simpkins nodded TO the others,
as much as to say: "Just in time" And
they followed Nora into the parlor.
She tried to entertain them until her
mother returned, but felt quite relieved
when she saw her coming and went TO
the door TO meet her.
Come right in, mamma There are
some ladies waiting for you"
Mrs Allen was astonished to flnd SO
many callers In her parior at one time,
but showed no trace Of surprise in her
manner.
Good afternoon, ladies'; / am very
glad to see you. II was such a lovely
day that went for the mail myself. l
hope you have not been waiting long"
Her greeting was so cordial that Mrs.
Jones nfterwar DIS said she was glad she
was not head Of the delegation. After
one or two Intellectual efforts Mrs.
SimplSins abruptly began:
Mrs. Allen, or Mrs Smith, or what
ever your name is--the Lord only
knows, we don'tl-we have come here
this afternoo n TO find out who you are.
You give your name as Allen, and get
letters for Mrs Smith, and we amt
used to no such goings on, and we have
come here to have you explain, II you
can, for we don't want no mysteries In
our neighborhood."
Surprise rendered Mrs Allen speech
less for n moment; then she coldly said:
Ladies', l gave my name as Allen
simply because that was my husbands
name, and, consequently, Is mine.
Mrs. Smith is my widowed sister, who
resides with me For reasons not
necessary to state, I receive and an
swer her lettera That is the meaning
Of the supposed mystery which has
caused you so much distress. Like the
ghost, 1t exists only in Imagination"
She ceased speaking and glanced to-
ward the door, evidently expecting her
visitors to go; but Mrs. Simpkins was
not easily routed.
"You say your sister lives with you;
It's odd no one has ever seen her and
that you never have no company And
can you tell us, ma'am, who the poor
critter is that roams about this house
at night, all In white2"
Mrs Aliens face was very stern as
she answered:
81 had hoped that II would not be
necessary to go into tho details OF this
painful matter; but in order to check
malicious gossip will explain that my
sister is a confirmed invalid, and left
the city because she was on the verge
of nervous prostration. We came here
that she might be perfectly quiet, and
have avoided company ON her account
She Is not able to read or answer her
letters, which all refer to business, as
she owns considerable real estate in
town Now, ladies, as I have nothing
more to say concerning my private
affairs, I will bid you good afternoon"
Mrs. Aliens tone and manner for
bade further words, and the discomfited
women rose In q body and marched out
Of the house. Not until they reached
the gate did Mrs. Simpltins recover
her powers Of speech; then she ex-
claimed:
"Well, neverl"
Had Mrs. Simplsins got glance into
the orchard, where May blossoms made
a thick, sweet-scented carpet on the
ground, she would have been even
more amazed, and utterly enraged.
For Fred Parsons and Nora Allen
were seated there. She was holding
sprig OF the blossoms, which he had
just broken Off for her, and Fred was
saying;
81 wonder II those old gossips have
gone, Nora? What q clatter they
would raise II they knew that had
just surrendered my heart TO the fair
est stranger that ever came to this
queer old town."
The gossips heard all about 1t later,
when the wedding bells penled. Mrs,
Simpkins vented her spite In her char,
ncteristic way. To this day she can't
why Fred Parsons ignored
the chance 10 gain wife and q
proficient in the art OF
yossip.-N. Y. journal.