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

'hc hBht' ne lOOkeu NJ neT ehTnestly
and sharply.
"Is't anything really wrong with
imp Tell truth, lass"
mo, father, nothing" answered
Mary, understanding him, and speak.
ing in strong, clear tones, while she re
turned his look steadily and fixedly
Our lad couldn't do what these fools
say. l know IL. I've seen him to-day"
What have the fools taken him for,
then?"
Because they've been laundering,
that's ALL"
shut the door, lass. See that there's
no one about" said the old man mys.
teriously, loosing his hold and pushing
the girl toward the door. 1--WE some
thing to say 10 you"
To satisfy him Mary went out, looked
into the parlor, and locking the front
door went back 10 him somewhat puz-
zled
lie took hold again Of her dress and
drew her close TO him.
i've been fearing this" he said in n
voice In which eagerness and terror
were struggling. "ITc was mad against
Coode; and that night"-herc his voice
went TO whisper-"he was awful wild
in his manner. DO you think he may
have quarreled with yon and have
given him crack In his rage2 Do you
feel sure yourself, lass, that nothing
happened between them?"
Yes, am sure, father-quite sure"
answered Mary, in tone so confident
that IL comforted and treasured the
old man.
You're good lass, Maya good
lass" he said. 1--WE been wronging
the lad-and such lad as he has al
ways been, too. Poor ladl Poor Toni
suppose they have taken him up,
haven't they?"
Yes" answered Mary, glad that she
had not had the task of breaking the
news. They charge him, but they've
got to make good their words. and
that's n very different thing. Then,
you haven't told anyone about his
coming here late on Friday night2"
mo, lass, not soul. was too
skeered to say word about IL. For he
was awful wild and strange-like," he
said.
by the way, did you see whether he
brought anything in with him when he
cameo asked Mary, the thought of her
discovery in the parlor returning to
her.
II don't know that he had rather
think he hadn't, but can't rightly
say. Have you seen Savannah? The
lass hasn't been in for a week or more
and miss her sorely."
hGhafg haat, mum, ,,.a,N Is,.fIn,. n,l
only came back yesterday. saw her
last night"
II wish she'd come in for bit. Tell
her, II you see her, it's lonesome lying
here by oneself, now, without the lads
home coming TO look forward to-" said
the old man, with sigh.
"Ill come back myself as soon as
cam said Mary, touched by the words
"But | must go home for awhile"
Close by her cottage she met Gideon
Prawle.
Since the time OF the explosion he
had remained in the village, but had
avoided Mary. Now, contrary TO his
custom, he crossed the street and
came up to her.
"Thisll trouble you, Mary, I've heard
the news" he said, without any other
greeting. I'm sorry"
"What news do you mean, Gibeon?"
she asked, as IL in ignorance of his
meaning.
about Tom" replied the other. 81
should like to help you II you'll let
me-"
II want no help OF yours. have
not yet forgotten what | heard that
night replied Mary, looking mean
ingly at him.
you mean you'll have no dealings
with me, because had hand in Il at
plant?"
81 don't trust you, Gideon; and I |
want no help from them l can't trust"
well, You can do as you like, with
your bcastly PRIDE" he answered,
somewhat angrily. "And II you hadn't
saved my life you might go to the
deuce. But I'm not so bad as you
sc em inclined to think, and might be
able to do you a good turn over this
job"
81 don't want your help, tell YOU"
repeated the girl. ~ don't want any
body's help. And you couldn't help me
II did"
"You don't know that, Mary" said
the man.
II know that wouldn't have your
help, even II did want it," and with
that she walked on.
At the cottage she found a note from
Reuben Gorringe.
This is terrible news had better
see you at once. Either come TO me at
the mill or let me know of your return
that may come to YOU"
Mary went up at once TO the mill,
and not finding the manager there left
word that she had been seeking him.
She had been at home some little time,
and had made n meal-the first she
had had that day-before Gorringe
came.
lie took the hand she held, and kept
II a long time, as II in friendly sympa-
thy, while he looked pityingly into her
face.
You are suffering cruelty" he said.
This is terrible news"
1T is disgraceful that such blunders
should be made" answered Mary, her
face lighting momentarily with indig-
nation.
III 1t is a blunder, yes. Were you
followed from here?"
The girl WINGED at the cruel sugges-
ton that it was owing to her that
Tom had been arrested.
no BE CONTINUED |
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