Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-03

began TO cry softly behind her veil.
"Ah," she thought, "if ever ! live TO
get safe home again, I'll stay there.
I'll never tempt Providence more, ON
these night roads"
Across the aisle two young girls wero
seated-the one pale-faced and rather
plain, as Mrs Esterhall had already
noticed by the light OF the cluster of
lamps under which they we're seatedj
the other brilliant young brunette,
with soft hazel eyes, peachy cheeks,
and wavy dark-brown hair, brushed
carelessly back from low, broad fore
head. Presently the latter rose, and,
coming to Mrs. Esterhalrs side. asked
In soft, sympathetic voice:
Are you i'll, madam"
"N-no," stammered the old lady,
quite forgetful Of her society dignity.
"only am 80 faint and weary. / ex-
pected to dine at home, long before this
hour; and took almost nothing to eat
before started"
"Ihave some nice, homemade chicken
sandwiches in my bag" suggested the
pretty girl my aunt insisted on my
taking them, although Idined heartily
before leaving home; and Ihavc little
alcohol lamp with every convenience
for making good, strong cup Of tea as
we'll II you will allow me TO prepare
1t for you"
Mrs. Esterhall was genuine tea
maniac A new brightness came into
her eyes at this suggestion.
"You are very kiud," said she. But
you will want II yourself"
e NO" smiled the girl II don't caro-
for tea. But my kind old aunt would
put the things in. Now am glad that
she did So"
In Ave minutes Mrs Esterhall had
eaten and drunk and felt infinitely re-
freshed. How 1t happened she did not
pause to question herself, but she pres
emily found herself reclining comfort.
ably, with her head on pillow impro-
vised out OF the folded blanket shawl
that belonged to the young girl; and,
mingled with her drowsy reflections,
came the soft, low murmurs Of the
sweet-eycd brunette, who had changed
her seat and that OF her companion to
the one directly back OF Mrs. Ester.
hall, and was talking almost in
whisper.
mo, / am not going back; and l do
not intend to communicate my address
to anyone"
mot even TO him9"
mo, not even to him"
"But he loves you, dear"
"Yes; and that Is the very reason
am determined to create no dissension
between him ard his friends. Perhaps
he will forget me-"
HE will never do that"
"But at least shall feel that have
done my duty" said the hazel.eyed girl,
firmly. 81 shall love him to the end of
his days, but l shall not have ruined
his future"
"And ali this" cried the companion,
''out Of Difference to the whilns of an
old woman whom you have never seeni'
"0ut of Difference to his mother,
Alice" gently corrected tho first
speaker.
what a quixotic notion" dreamily
mused Mrs. Esterhall. bat she has an
excellent idea of duty, this dark-eyed
little girlr'
"That Is you. all over, Efiicl' said tho
friend. "You are always effacing your
btlI lhNOT VI bOulc OHt clbt. lltTo
you are giving all your tea and sand
wiches TO person you have never
heard Of, abandoning your seat TO q
poor little woman with crying baby,
because It Is trihe nearer the stove,
and, TO cap every thing, giving up the
man you love and who loves you, be-
cause"
because It Is my duty" said Effie.
"Please, Alice, don't let us discuss tho
matter any longer 1t is because love
Guy that am willing TO sacrifice every
thing for his sake"
"Guyl Bless my soull Guyl" thought
Mrs. Esterhall, sitting suddenly up.
But, Of course, there are other Guys
than mine In tho world"
Just then there was tremble Of the
frozen ground under them, a roar and
rush of lighted cars past them
"The western express at lastl' shout
ed the choleric old gentleman, bobbing
up in his seat like an india-rubbcr ball
"All abo-o-ard" bawled the conduc-
tor, with twitch at the bell-rope; and
on moved the train at last, crealking
and groaning like some monster ser.
peut in pain. Mrs. Esterhall leaned
over the back of the seat, toward the
hazel-eyed girl
MY dear" said she, between the
throbs of the engine, ''is 1t Guion Es-
terhall that you are speaking OFF"
The girl started and coIored. She
could not repress a cry Of surprise
"Yes, thought so. Come over here
and sit by me. / am his mother, and
want to talk TO YOU"
1t was two o'clock in the morning
when they reached Esterhall station,
but the covered sleigh was waiting for
them, with hot soapsione foot-warm-
ers and about half ton Of fur robes
and wrappings. And Efie Dallas
stepped into the luxurious conveyance
with Mrs. Esterhall, for the old lady
had insisted on taking Efiie home with
her 10 the manor.
"She is such contrast In every way
to that selfish, cold-hearted Chippef-
dale girl" said Mrs. Esterhall. "Tll
telegraph to Guion at once. Really, II
does seem as II there was special
| providence in our train being kept so
long waiting for the western express
to pass"
As II there is not special provi-
dence" In everything that hsppensuin
this world of oursl-Amy Randolph, In
N Y. Ledger.
AcowenL (Mo) man got d----ii
anu ou -.S.ou guilty when he was put ON
Ia