Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-06-07

Her great beauty and strange, subtle
charm had fascinated Tom against his
better sense, "a Gorringe had thought
they would; and under his orders Tom
had been lurcd TO the brink OF ruin.
The books Of his secretaryship had
been falsi6ed; all his savings had been
lent TO the girl; and she IL was who,
learning where the money of the sick
fund was kept,ha stolen IL just a I the
time when, acting on n cunningly
given hint from Gorringe, the other
men had swoopcd down and demanded
an investigation.
The theft at the mill had also been
concOctcd by Gorringe, and he had insti-
gated Mr.. Coode TO drive Tom from the
village In disgrace Then IL was that
going by chance TO the mill, the mana.
ger found the old man dead, and tho
idea had occurred 20 him of making It
seem as II "A murder had been commit.
ted, suspicion for which he could fas.
ten on Tom. How he carried out the
design Is known; manufacturing bit
by bit the evidence In such n way t.n,
he alone knew IL; the price of his
silence being the hand of the girl, for
love Of whom he had planned all.
One great flaw, and one only there
was, in his plans
Savannah Morbyn, or Lucy Howell
had fallen in love with him. lie had had.
therefore, TO simulate an affection for
her; and IL was this which had foiled
his plans. In consequence of the
pressure which she brought to bear
upon him. he had had to force matters
10 II crisis with Mary, and Lucy Howell
who had often been at the mill at
night when the two were laying their
plans for Toms rain, had followed him
ON that night, aud had thus heard
enough of his love for Mary to show
her that she herself had been de.
ccivcd
Barely had these things been cv.
planned to Mary when messenger
came from Gorringc. lie was dying
and wanted the girl to go TO him Al
first she was unwilling, remembering
all his wrong; but afterwards she con
scented.
lie was Mt the very point Of death
That was clear, even to her. Ills face
was pallid, his lips bloodlcss, and hin
brow clanmy with the dew of death
His eyes, looking unnnturally large
and deep sunlson beneath their shaggy
black Drows, were fixed on the door.
and seemed to brighten littlc-vcry
littlc-whcn the girl entered His
hand, which lay on the covcrlet, MALI
n faint motion, rs he attempted to
raise IL; but he was too weak to stir t.
She went to him and, answering the
appealing look she thought she read
in his eyes, bent over him to catch my
few faint, feeble words he might wish
to be able to say.
Forgive me" The words came very
slowly in II voice so low aud husky
that she could barely hear them
II forgive YOU" she said. talking his
hands.
His eyes fixed upon her face and his
lips moved rs IL he would have smiled
the thanks lac could not utter.
Then, after a long pause. lie seemed
to gather himself for another effort,
and the girl felt his hand move slightly
In hers.
Glad to die now" came IN broken
whisper 81 love"
That was all she could hear, but tho
eyes rested ON hcrs with more rcstful
and contcutcd look than she had vet
seen; aud they gradually closed. lie
had tainted from the effort of even
saying so little, and while the nurse
and doctor came to restore him Mary
left.
1t was better he should die. II only
he could be brought to repent; and
she was glad she had been able to
comfort him at the last. She was very
thoughtful as she walked home to her
cottage TO get ready TO go 10 the pc.
lice court TO hear her lover released.
But when She entered the cottage
she cried out with delight and sur.
PRISE for Tom caught her in his arms
and strained her to his breast.
How is this, Tom9 How are you
here so soon2"
THE magistrates met earlier than
they had arranged; as soon as the news
was known. They thought had been
punished long enough for doing moth
ing; so they set me free as soon as posi-.
BILE, and | came here straight to you"
Never to part again, lad, eh?" she
cried. Let me get near to your
heart"
Never to leave it again, my wife"
he said, partly echoing her words
Within week they were man and
wife-just two days after the wretched
woman who had 80 nearly separated
them had been taken back to Wads-
worth asylum.
All the village were at the wedding,
for everyone seemed anxious to show
some kind Of rcpnration TO Tom for
the wrong that had been done in sus-
pecting him. No one was more eager
in this than Mr.. Charnley. lie insisted
on arranging for all the little festivi-
ties by which the marriage, quiet and
simple enough itself, was celebrated |
by tho mill hands after the bride and |
bridegroom had gone away on bridal |
holiday which he made them take.
That was only very small part OF |
what he did. lie wns determined, hcsaid, |
that Tom should have some cause to
remember with pleasure even the black |
time of the fearful charge made against |
him; and, as compensation for all,
he put him in Reuben Gorringes place |
as manager OF the mill, And manager
of the old Walfden mill he is this day. |
THE END.