Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-12-05

frightfully, for ! am sure he Aaid .
bad word. Then he lighted the a.,
and coming TO the bed looked st me
closely. l WAS sleeping quietly, -.
renely; not line on my face nor
hurried breath betrayed the sssthing
tumult within me. He WAS satisAsd,
appsrently. and turned away. lloofsd
at him through half-closed eyes and
could scarcely restrain myself. 0nhis
white brow cruel mark. His clothing
was muddy and disarranged. 10 drew
of his coat slowly and painfully and
sank into chair. almost screamed,
but my pride kept me still. Something
terrible had happened to my husband.
What could II have been? Had he met
some relative Of his inamorata's and
one Of those horrible scenes tskeA
place with which the columns Of our
papers are full? Was 1t thus hs ~
turned to his wife, tho woman hs had
sworn to love and honor? Al hs vt
sadly and dis6gured In the armchair,
seemingly too worn even to attempt 70
undreks. heard him muttsr between
clsnched teeth: II will win yet; l will
not be conquered by such -" lost
the rest, but the dreadful tragedy was
clear. IT had been easy enough to win
mel was = confding fool-but this
other one was not 80 lightly won. He
had to encounter difficulties there. I
made up my mind then and there to
my course Of action,
Next day-even SO soon - that ny
time came. had been kind, but, -
usual, had hidden my grief and pain.
l would not have thought that !, limo
cent, trusting girl that was but few
short months ago, could have dsvsl-
oped into watchful, double-facsd WON.
an; but sorrow Is thorough teacher.
When Jack came to dinner that night
he had his fldus Achates with him,
Harry Fleming, gay bachelor, and
who, felt sure, was Jacks con6dant;
OF whom, indeed, had been little
Jealous once, but now I hardly knew
whether to join hands with him - ono
who betrayed, or to look on him q :
confederate Of my faithless husband.
His greeting was as warm and cordial
as Of yore, and u he held my hand !
felt little bit Of warmth steal Into
my poor, cold heart. After dinner tho
gentlemen smoked their cigars on the
veranda. sat just inside the long
windows and touched the keys softly.
How often had sat SO, just where I
could see Jacks curly head, his beau.
tiful profile, and have been sure thst
when struck some familiar chord he
would turn and smile. All, then and
now! lie was oblivious Of me, Of my
music. ! stopped playing. I caught
snatches Of conversation. aarrys
voice fell on my ear; well, old fsl-
low, how are you getting on with
The hateful word was lost as an cleo
trio car dashed by. Then Jack said;
SLOWLY. I am almost discouraged, l
will admit. Would you like to 60
and see her9' Then he glanced Into
the shadowy room. You there,
NellPn made no answer. lstooped
to eavesdrop Was l not justified?
They arose. I went from the back
door into the hall, and Is Jack called
CO.: Nell, we're going to the club l
anLwered calmly; but as they went TO
the gaze | sprang to the closet,
snatched long cloak and hat and
veil, and when the men got on the car
= woman followed them to whom they
gave not even glance.
The car dashed on. The yelled wo,n-
an In the corner shivered with excite.
ment Down in the heart Of the city
the two men stepped of and made
their way, closely followed by their
fellow passenger to long, low build
Ing now lighted up, and from whence
sounds Of music issued. ! recognized
the place. 1t was the armory, where
our brave militia were wont to gather,
and which was more often the scene Of
. concert, fair, dog show, or some such
exhibition Ihad forgotten In my u.
element to glance at the sign that
was won't to show to outsiders the
nature Of the scene within. Ipassed
close behind Jack and his friend, still
unobserved, The big doors swung DO.
hind us. My heart beat wildly. Was
the mystery to be cleared up? Was
she here or was | still to be the victim?
When had got accustomed to the
light saw a group Of men and women
sitting around the hall Watching In
tently. Ipaused, as did my escorts ~
My eyes followed theirs. Slowly
circling round and round TO the
music Of the band went mon and
women on their airy steeds hardly
took them In, for the men turned to .
fourth standing near and Jack said In
tones of authority: Bring her out,
joe" Then turning to Harry he went
on: " AM ashamed Of myself l
thought was something Of an athlete,
but this creature has almost mastered
me. Last night l got terrible fall
that about decided me to give up the
effort, but you know I hate to be
beaten at anything. Twas 80 bruised
and stiff after my header that was
almost afraid to 60 home. Fortunately
Nell, dear girl, was asleep ! had .
mark under my eye equal to prize
lighters. | bathed 1t and luckily for
me, with the aid of a little ofNell's
powder, II was hardly visible In tho
morning and was spared any en-.
barrasslng questions, ! don't think
Nell suspects. ! have tried to keep II
from her, for l imagined she would
make fun Of me for getting the fever,
but, by Jove, it's been hard thing to
do. You know, Harry, it's the Arst
secret I've had from my wifc-O, here 10
Joe" and Joe came leading my rival.
She was a beauty; how beautiful the
curves Of the lovely wheels; how
bright the sllvery handles; how grace.
full every motion Of Jacks new bicycle
my first and last rival.-Chicago