Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-01
CHAPTER VIII
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CHAPTER VIII
DOUBT AND pASoER
The alarm which Mary had felt at
Savannnh's strange words and even
stranger conduct caused her some UNI
easy wakeful thoughts during the
night, and she resolved to tell her
lover what had passed and what her
fears were.
She found an opportunity that even
ing When she left work he was wait
ing by the mill gates. lie was really
waiting in the hopes OF seeing Savan-
nah, and when Mary came out alone
his face fell little with disappoint-
ment.
well, Mr.. Truant, this is good OF
you TO wait for me-" she said, joining
him, her face alight with pleasure and
love. ~ think I shall have to begin
and cali you Mr.. Roylance II don't
see more of you than did yesterday.
Where were you last night, sir?" she
asked, smiling trustfully and happily
into his face.
The question bothered him. lie had
always been so open and frank with
her that the new necessity for prac-
ticing deceit pcrplexed and worried
him. Yet he could not tell her the true
cause OF his absence.
So he said something about having
been kept away in consequence Of the
trouble at the mill, and the girl was
too glad TO be with him TO observe
anything strange or hesitating in his
manner.
"Well, have you now at any rate"
1 u 4. 4 q
to say shall just take possession of
you" and she linked his ann In his to
walk away.
"Where where's Savannah "aslsed
| Tom.
"Oh, we don't want her for a Bit
answered Mary; "for TO tell you the
truth it's about her | want to say
word or two Look here, Tom, want
to ask you u riddle that has been both
cring me. What special reason can
Savannah have for thinking Gideon
Prawle means to do you mischief?'
"What do You mean, lass?" he asked,
somewhat anXiously.
Docs that puzzle you?" she asked.
ut puzzled me, ! can tell you. Savan-
nah thinks that Gideon has some great
/ y
less enough to be dangerous. Can she
have any reason? Does she know any
thing special about him? What can IT
be?"
"llow shall tell, Mary?" answered
Tom Roylanco somewhat uneasily.
you've seen more of her than anyone
else in Wallsden Bridge and ought TO
know" lie colored little at thus
cvading the question.
IL don't know anything of her In
that way" answered the girl drawing
closer to his side and taking n firmer
grip Of his arm, as II growing more
confidential, but I'm going to make
o little confession to you. DO you
know. Tom, think I'm afraid Of Sa-
vannah."
Afraid OF herl" cried Tom Roylance
with laugh. Afraid of Savannah
Why, she's one of the gentlest crea-
lures that ever breathed," he cried, en-
Enthusiastically
"She may be; and daresay I'm very
stupid and ridiculous, as you say, but
don't-I can't trust her, She-I-don't
know how to explain the effect she
has ON me. She sets my teeth on Ell 90
sometimes, and shudder and am afraid
OF her"
Its not like you to be so foolish,
lass" said Tom. ~ thought you and
Savannah were such good friends but
you women folk are always curious"
mo, know I'm stupid; but can't
help feeling us do, just think what
she said about Gideon last night" And
then she told him what Savannah had
said, and the strange way in which she
had said IT,
ut was only strong way OF putting
her dislike and distrust OF the fellow"
was Toms comment, 1--WE all distrust
him. and know that he is a hot-tem.
pered chap, likely to kick up no end of
a fuss II he can do IL safely. She must
have hard that said hundred and
ffty times about the place"
"llut what could she mean by saying
she could read murder in his looks, and
all that?"
"Why, just what gypsy might mean
, 4 by saying she could read all sorts OF
rubbish in the palm OF your hand
Remember, Mary, what gentle ways
she has, and what kindness she has
, shown omy father"
III you had seen her last night you
| 4pldn't have thought She looked very
, "rutio. taid Mary, who was anything
q. "a rlcased to find Tom taking the 9th
c, part 50 readily,
surely, you don't wish 10 turn me
, against the lass" said Tom Its moi
/, like you to set folks by the ears"
81 am sorry mentioned It at all,
. reDlicd the GIRL, and utter that said NJ