Abilene weekly reflector., 1895-12-19

somethlng-which makes you anxious
" martyrize yourself. It's mine, how
ever, and I'm not a. anxious to par
with 1t as | was-not till I've looked
through II, anyway"
As he turned the key Al remembered
that his own photograph was lying in
q conspicuous box. and exclaimed:
wait until after dinner, then; I'm 4
half starved"
Perhaps 1t would he better" was the
answer, and they passed cut together.
When fairly downstairs AL said he
had forgotten his handkerchief, and
few back three steps at time to get It.
Securing the picture and placing II in
AN inside pocket, he said to himself:
Surely there's nothing else to give
me away. But must wheedle him out
Of the trunk"
After dinner Fred went through"
the contents Of the trunk, making boy
ish remarks concerning each article as
he threw 1t aside. al inwardly WINGED
ut these remarks, and could scarcely re-
strain himself from knocking him over
on the spot
what makes you SO crusty?" querled
fred, suddenly, as one Of his choicest
Jokes was met by gruff "H'ml"
There's no fun In you, and why you
want this stuff beats me. Your sisters
would turn up their noses at second
hand clothing, II 1t Is pretty. But II
isn't worth fussing over, so take 1t
along. No doubt titw would prove white
elephant on my hands sooner or later"
Not until the trunk was safely in his
room could Al breathe freely; even
then 1t was no easy matter to keep 1t
out Of his sisters sight. They both
made pet and confdant Of their one
brother, and had fashion Of dropping
Into his room at all hours to tell him Of
their schcmesand woes. lie had pushed
the trunk under mahogany table in
the corner the old-fashioned cover Of
which reached almost to the Aoor
When he told them he was going
away for little business "trip" they
beset him with questions and petitions
to be taken with him, finally declaring
that they would clean house while he
was gone, and sort out his trash.'
So behold him, in the dead Of night,
carrying the white elephant" up the
narrow attic stairs, humping his head
on every rafter and getting cobwebs on
his mustache. lie covered 1t with old
clothing, pushed big box in front Of
1t and then crept downstairs, feelingas
guilty as II he had been concealing some
crime. At breakfast the girls both
talked at once about The burglar who
tried to get IN, and how they pounded
on AIS door and could not even get an
answer.
At noon lie was off, and MS the train
whirled onward he became possessed
with fears. She might not be at
llus,lngs she might not care for him
after these three years; she might even
be married or dead.
Arriving at his destination ut last, he
only stopped to eavchis bag at the ho-
tel, anu walked rapidly to familiar
house in the suburbs. Ringing the bell
he inquired for Miss Barr in matter-of-
fact way, us II he had seen her the day
before. lie watched the girls face ny
he spoke, uDd saw no trace of surprise.
She simply said:
"Mliss Burr may not be able to see
you, but come in, and will ask"
Presently he was shown into Il small,
sunny room, where, on couch, lay the
one girl he had ever loved lie meant
to explain at once the cause Of his fool
ish going and eager coming, all ofwhich
he had framed into frank, beautiful Sc,
tences; but somehow they forsook him,
md he fell hacl, on the commonplace.
She received him with quiet words Of
welcome, and then said:
"pardon my position, but l am such
IN invalid that it is o trial to sit up
AN invalid" he echoed, f0intly.
"Yes,' she answered. "Did you not
hear Of my accident several months
lgo? On coming home from visit |
stopped for day or 80 In London ho-
tel. The building caught fire few
hours after | entered 1t. The horror
If the scene is SO stamped - branded
would be more appropriate word
IN my memory that cannot bear to
ak of it. | lost everything except the
lister which was wrapped about Inc,
md would have lost my life but for the
rave fireman who broke my fall. Oh,
10, am not seriously injured" she con-
inued, in answer to his half-spoken
question, though l have been Ill ever
iince. 1t was such shock, you know"
BY deft questioning he succeeded in
making her say:
"Yes, lost my trunk. 1t was fiat
he station Il expected to go in n day
" twol, and the deposit tic.et was de-
troyed with my pocketbook. Railway
'eople arc necessarily particular about
Identifying luggage, and for weeks !
ns TOO i'll to even remember 1t. l'e-
ides, had only gone for short out
ng, ard it held nothing of much value,
xccpt some kccpsakcs that were dear
0 me-"
A deep flush stole over her face at
hese words; he watched II for deli .
ious moment, and then gathered her |,
p In his arms, cxcaimiDg.
II will bring them back, II you will '
ay the reward want"
Then--or, rather, after he had tor
nred her impatience mercilessly-he :
I'D her Of Fred's bargain" bought at
uction. She begged for 1t, coaxed, l
loaded, all in vain. He declared that
he could only have the little leather
-unk as q wedding present. And a T
cry happy wedding party 1t was, too.
-Tit-Bits. ]