Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-22

]
back and tell the others OF your mis-
hap
TOMS eyes biazed with rage a'
che others tone and manner, and
thought he was going to strike lin
But he Kept his temper, and followed
! Murst"ne out Of the room, holding the
empty cash box dangling from hi,
/ henG AZ lie walked
| " h"or fellow, pititd him
"rhey did not come In again foi
some time, and his father lay bach
wondering what II meant When Tom
came he was alone.
" I'm going out for bit father
could read ia the troubled look In his
eyes that something very bad was tho
matter.
What is the matter2' asked him,
getting out Of earshot of the old man.
There's trouble and a.strange mis-.
take about the business of the sicl,
fund money. These men think I've
taken IL and they say they must give
me in charge. OF course, ! can't stop
them II they like to do so. But we
shall probably go over at once to Pres
burn and see the head man there aud
have the thing thrcshed out straight
away. II don't come back tonight,
try and prevent my father from worry
inR too much, and make some excuse.
But may DC locked up. can't tell
yet
And with that he went out like one
dazcd and half stupcilcd."
Did lac send no message Of any kind
To me?' asked Mary. jcalously.
"No. lie said no more than have
told YOU" answered savannah.
Then I'll go Town to his cottage
ana see whether he has come back yet
Are you coming"
The two girls left the house together,
and ON the way to Toms home Mary
piled her companion with questions.
When they reached the cottage Tom
was not there. lie had not been back
"Ill wait" said Mary. quietly, and
she took off her hat aud jacket and sat
down.
You've no call to wait, Savannah"
said Mary, somewhat ungraciously,
after Il time.
why are You angry with me,
Mary?" asked savannah. in her soft
est voice. tom asked me 10 STAY
with his father until his return, II he
does return tonight That is why |
am here. But you and must not
quarrel at n time like this"
Mary turned to her companion and
said readily:
~ was wrong, savannah Forgive
me. But ! am full OF anxiety about
this; 1t frightcns mo. There must he
some conspiracy against Tom. lie Is
So good-natured and open and trustful
that anyone can impose upon him. |
wish he would come"
After time she rose and made some
supper for the invalid, who spoke very
little, but lay and watched her as she
moved about the room. The old man
turned to Savannah:
"Will you read TO me, child? You
will soothe me"
The girl went to the side of the bed
and took up the book that was lying
thcrc-it was a copy of the "pilgrim's
Progress rs soon rs Mary had
finished her preparations began read
ing aloud from it.
Mary sat apart nearer the door,
waiting and listening for Toms com
ing. Presently, she crept gently from
the room and went to the door Of tho
cottage to wait there. This was about
ten o'cloch she knew there was
train from presburD about that time.
After little while she saw her lovers
tall figure coming up the street. lie
was walking slowly, and his head was
bent as though he was in deep thought.
She gave a sigh Of relief when she
saw him, for she had begun to fear
that his not coming might mean the
worst. She went 20 meet him. When
ne saw her lie stopped and started.
MARY You hore?"
The tears were in her voice as she
put ont her hands to take his, wanting
to make him feel her sympathy.
VI heard there was some trouble,
Tom. savannah told me-"
why did she speak of It? She said
She would not"
Not tn mc?" She was hurt to think
be should wish to have n trouble
kept secret from her and known TO
another.
81 did not want to trouble you while
yor were Ill, Nary" said Tom, reading
her meaning in her question.
81 would far rather know II at once"
she answered. at is only cruel
kindness TO keep your troubles from
me-" Then She took his arm, and cluug
to him and wondered and grievcd that
he did not kiss her, II she had had a
trouble, 1t would have been so sweet,
she thought, to have been able to tell
him and to kiss him for the ready
wealth of sympathy which would be
given to her, Such sympathy as her
heart was bursting TO oour forth.
no BE CONTINUED