Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-01


ope dropped from her fingers as she
drew out bundle, and, picking II up,
she examined IL curiously. As her
glance fell upon it the blood left her
face and her heart stood still II was
In her own handwriting addressed TO
Newmann-her answer TO his letter Of
three years ago
As she sat there regardingit 1t in bewil-
derment Mr.. Newmann's card was
handed to her.
No traces OF agitation were visible
in Miss Bragg's manner when she smil-
ingly greeted Newman a minute later
He nervously shook hands Miss Bragg
did not sit down. II believe we are to
walls?" she said, as IL the matter was
OF so little importance that she had al
most forgotten. Yes" h said, getting
up hastily.
As they reached the sidewalk they
stopped undecided which way TO 20.
ITS nice walk out In the vicinity OF
jefferson Heights" Newman said,
hesitatingly. "We used to walk there
often, you remember" "Oh, no, not
jefferson Heights" she said, Us II the
place was not to be considered, "it's so
stupid detest tine place" She slow
ly set off in an opposite direction.
Newman walked silently beside her
for few moments. Presently he an
nounced the discovery that IL was
fine day for walking. Next he OBJ
served that the day was just like that
on which they had taken their last
walk together. This was followed by
another and longer pause, broke by
Newmann's question; "You remem Der
what fine day IL was. Miss Bragg2"
She made an effort TO remember, knit
ting her brows and looking thoughtful.
| Utterly failing to recall II, she excused
herself you see we walked together
more than once and the days were al
ways fine-I knew they were, because
| wouldn't have gone otherwise. And
then three years is too long TO remem-
Der such thing as the state Of the
weather"
After that Mr.. Newman evaded the
weather and that last walk as perilous
topics. He talked about people, and
had the air Of man who wanted bad
ly to talk OF something else. He grew
nervous when Miss Bragg at last turned
| round and faced homeward. The walk
had grown to be dull. "AIiss Bragg"
Newman said at last, "Im going TO
Europe in a few days, and there's some
thing want TO ask you before / go.
! II your answer Is what | hope II will
be will not GO Why dill you not an
swer my letter three years ago2" Miss
Bragg's face assumed the expression OF
one who has an unpleasant something
to say. "Such letters are not easy to
answer" she said. zone has TO think
before replying. did write letter Ia
you, but did not send It, / thought
would wait-I thought could tell you
better" but you did not tell me, y
Newman burst out eagerly. you did
not ask me-" she said, quite calmly.
Newman looked flushed and disap'
pointed. what did you write me7'
he asked as they walked on. Can yor
guess?" she asked. His face showed
his disappointment ''Oh, / guess
know what IL was" he said, bitterly
land II has caused me hours of anguish
and pain, nights Of sleerless unrest
Oh, Miss Bragg, you can't guess how
much 1t has cost me- l have seen nc
pleasure, no peace, no rest. IL will a..
ways be the same. You will pardon
me for bothering you again, but ! ha'
hoped, after waiting three years an'
seeing that there was no other man
that you might change your answer.
could not go to Europe without asking
you"
They walked along In silence
They were already within sight of Mis-
Bragg's home. At the door he stoppe
before her and asked, half imploI
ingly: "Am l TO accept your answer a
final2" She nodded an affirmative
"My answer is fnal," she said. mis-
Bragg" he said, tremulously, II ca
lever forget you l shall think Of yo
constantly while l am abroad II
, sorry to have caused you the pain of r.
jecting me a second time. Good-by."
He held out his hand and took her
in a st.Sng grasp. "Good-by, Mr.. New
mann," she said. II trust you wi
have a pleasant trip abroad" "Than
you," he said. "Good-by." He CAV
her last look and turned to go. IN
Newman, stop a moment" she callet
lie walked back to her, his honest fac
, flushed with pain. II am awfully so
ry," she said. "Believe | esteem yo
, highly and regret that this has o
cured. Your letters-I wiAit TO retuT
, them. Wait n moment till get them
"You may burn" he started to sa.
but she was gone.
She found them just us she had lie
: them in her cabinet She picked the
up and evened their ends so as TO NAL
> u square bundle. She tied the packal
with a small satin ribbon. Her ow
letter lay on the cabinet. She pickC
1t up and held It undecisively for m
; ment Impulsively she tucked II
= meath the ribbon with the rest
= ~ think you will find all of the
here" she said, handing him the pac
II age "And l happened TO find my q
= swer to your letter of three years ag
= You were curious to know what l hi
v written, so put it in with your letter
u Good-by
n They shook hands. ~ will read
even though II gives me pain, he sa
; In low tone.
u He hurried down the walkway, Il
= very image Of an unhappy man.
g But the steamer for Europe that le
u few days later did not number N
r. Newman among its passengers.
d had read In Miss Bragg's answer
n "woman's yes. Robert l.. Adamso
> in Atlanta Constitution.
= DESTROYED BY FIRE.