Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-07-11

ny HARRY LANDER.

Fred Selfton was melancholy, appar
emily without any just cause. lie hat
spent very pleasant day in the exc
cution Of his duties in the shelving de
partment Of the home office, where h,
had read the morning paper, WASHED
his hands three times, chaffed Bertit
Gapes and heard the latest gossip from
Tommy Towpie. Then Tommy had
taken him to the Junior Gatherium te
recuperate, and his journey down tc
Ealing had been most comfortable. II
was pleasant afternoon in the early
summer; his little villa looked particu-
larly bright and comfortable, and he
still had an hour to lounge away before
dinner, which was the most cherished
aim Of his daily life. Yet he sighed as
he opened the door and entered his
home
Kate had taken the baby to see her
mother, but would be back to dinner.
This was not unusual, but upon this
occasion it struck him us being very
inconsiderate Of her Having performed
his toilet he wandered mournfully
about the garden. Then retiring TO
his study-a misnomer, for he was
guiltless Of such folly--he lita cigar
cite and flung himself into an easy
chair with the air Of a man weary of
existence. Had his wife been present
she would have wondered anxiously
what calamity had overtaken them,
but the fact was nothing more alarm
ing than that her lord and master was
suffering from what is technically
termed 'the hump"
The other men in his room had been
discussing holidays. Gapes was saving
himself for months salmon fishing in
Sunderlandshire, Townie contemplated
billeting himself upon his cousin, who
was attached to the embassy at Wen
ia. Williamson was engaged for q
yachting cruise to Norway, and Elliot
had raved Of the green golf links at
Eastbournc. lie had yawned dismally
Aforementioned Ilerne bay,with the wife
and family in tones which quite justi-
Ged Townie in holding him up as an
awful example Of premature matri-
mony.
Now, in his heart he called himself
fool, for in these days q man Of thir-
ty is too young for such responsible
ties and-well, privations, OF course,
he had been quite infatuated with
Kitty, as were several better men.
The first year of their married life had
been as charming as the last chapter
Of three-volume novel, and he had
never enjoyed anything SO much as
that delightful scamper about the con-
tinent they had together. Now, there
was the baby, a jolly little chap, but
responsibility and o somewhat costly
one. After all, there was sound wis
dom in Townie's cynicism. There are
two aspects Of the marriage question,
usually considered before and after.
lie was just realizing the unpleasant
one.
He had never seen the club look more
coy than 1t did that afternoon. lie
had been welcomed by crowd Of men,
the pleasant associates Of past life,
who seemed genuinely happy to meet
him again. lie had been very popu-
lar man, and some Of them still remem-
bered his little evenings in Gray's inn
What pleasant rooms they were, to b,
sure. At one time he used to think
that Kitty had sacrificed a great deal
when she married him, but perhaps
The remuneration was not SO one-sided
rs he had imagined, For instance,
here was the club. lie could no long
n afford to 60 there, and with it he
lad renowned all intellectual society.
zitty's people and their neighbors
we're rich and respectable. Most adj
nirable Of their kind, they ate, drank
lept, and made money; withal, most
worthy creatures, but particularly un- !
Mr.. Turner, her father, s
vas type-a kindly, honorable man,
nut without the slightest artistic Or
Iterary culture; he could talk for
ours Of his business, and knew moro /
bout tallow than any other man in
'ngland' Fortunately, his pride of a
his distinction was slightly mitigated
y the fact that he was also ccnnois- d
eur Of Wines Ills sons wore riding t
reeches on Sunday mornings and read
The Lunar Month" in their bedrooms. ii
Is eldest daughter was gifted with Ct
Efficient religious enthusiasm for ten
lch families, while Mrs. Turner was d
otherly in the extreme. h
His thoughts wandered In Georgia ia rs