Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-06-27
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my dcarY'
"Oh, Mr.. Wilders.'
Don't be scared. I'm Franks Grey's
friend; an | want to get the right lay
Of the land before go ahead"
"Mr. Grey never spoke word of love
to me. lie does not even know that l.
mean that hc--that Is that"
Exactly so-a mods us good as a
wink to blind boss see. Now, run
home an have II out with your mother
! you freeze on to Frank Grey; he Is a
man as will make his way, an ! guess
he don't mean to lose sight Of the little
girl up at Oretown.'
He bade her good night with a last
parting injunction.
Don't lsnuckle down to anyone, an
whatever happens, my girl, remember
you've friends In Mile an Jack Wild
ers, so hold your own, an keep a stiff
upper lip"
Poor Elsie made sad mess OF II,
when she reached home. The very
worst she could make OF the case was
that Dodd had tried TO kiss her--no
very hcinous offense In the eyes Of
those Derbyshire peasants, whose ways
Of wooing are n little rougher than
those permissible in polite society
Having once accepted the fact that she
was grown out Of girlhood, which had
been instilled into their minds by
Dodds eloquent sophistries, they saw
nothing but foolishness in the fuss she
had made over the trifing adventure
Of the evening, and they were hcrcely
indignant at Wilders' treatment Of the
good man, who honored them by de-
siring to become their son-in-law.
"Dunna knaw which sold her bread
be buttered on" grumbled Mrs. Whit.
ford, as Elsie escaped to her chamber
"Just as he was going to set that
gold mining company ailoat, "growlcd
the corporal. "Drat that schoolinastcr
| wish he'd never shown his handsome
face in these parts.
What, Grcyl Whattcns he got to
do WI IT,"
"Why, heard" said Whltford, stol-
Idly putting his pipe, "Why, heard
as there had been u sight o talk about
our luss an him. an that the school
board had something to say about IT,
nay, heard Ms he had to leave for cur
ryin on with Elsie. They kept II mum,
but there was big fuss madeabout It,"
ut br all my fault" moaned the I'M
happy woman. "Oi KEEP the lass I
short dresses when her ought to wore
long gownds.
AS she spoke the door opened and Il
figure glided into the room. II was
the pastor. His clothes were soiled and
torn, his face was ghastly; more
limp, dirty, disreputable parsonage 1t
was difficult to conceive. SO comlcal
was his appearance that the corporal,
who possessed II strong vein Of humor,
could, Notwithstanding his awe for the
sacred parsonage, scarce keep his coun-
tenance.
''lleen In the wars, SIR? Never mind,
u little soap an whter 'ull soon put ye
to rights A little vinegar nd be n
good thing for your cheek, II It wasn't
SO broken and"
"IIowd thy tongue, mon," the dame
interrupted; "let his reverence change
his clothes, an OH fettle I'm up WI
sweet verbs"
"Dear friends" Dodd groaned, you
sec my plight-my bodily suffering You
can appreciate, but who can picture
the agony Of mind endure?'
"Who done tip asked the corporal,
though the sly dog knew well enough
before he put the question.
"That son Of l!clial, Jack Wilders."
well, parson, reckon you left your
mark on him?'
mo, am n man OF deeds, not
blows; and mark me, Mr.. Whitford,
that man shall wash away these stains
with tears Of anguish.
Such diabolical expression shad-
owed Dodd's features as he brcathed
this threat, that the corporal shud-
dered; but he could not quite under
stand any condition in which u man
received blow and did not re-
turn 1t; and, from that moment, he be-
gan to see flaws In his idol.