Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-10
CHAPTER I.
ALEC HOWE LEAVES HONE.

before. BE brought with him later
faithful wife and two little boys. o
whom the younger was named for hi
father and familiarly called Alsc. Mr.
Howe had prospered and was now . suc
cessful and we'll to do merchant. Alto
ten years bic wife had died, and be hat
taken another, q lady Of some social pre-
tensions. through whom In time b,
hoped to gain admission to the uppel
circles. By her hs bad another son, who
was In a fair way to DO spoiled by tht
doting attentions that were lavishsd up
On HIM.
Alec had been sent to college. and
now for whole year he had been 4
bachelor Of arts, wondering what In the
world he shJuld do with the incum.
branoe. His father had offered him q
place In bis business, with an ultimate
partnership. but the confinement Of the
Office did not agree with him. Besides,
DO did not altogether like bis stepmoth-
81. She was a good woman In her way.
but shs said bis manners we're vulgar
she tried to impose upon him habits
which were uncomfortable, and. worst
Of all, she did not give him the afYec-
tion he longed for. Fer love's sake be
would have done anything she desired
Of him, but she did not love him, and
her only refuge was the authority Of her
superior position. She used 1t a. gently
as she could. for she meant to DO kind
and considerable, but the friction became
greater and greater until Alec felt he
could no longer bear the sheer disoom.
fort Of his position.
The elder brother had not gone to COL
lege, but had entered business early
and now was q partner In his fathers
establishment. with wife and family
Of bis own. Mr.. Howe was proud Of
him and wished Alec to follow IN bis
footsteps But Mr.. Howe was q stand
jnQ subject for disagreement. Mr. Howe
liked her well enough, though be had
not the passionate love for her be had
cherished for his frat wife. Init he was
ambitious to establish bis family in the
upper ranks Of society, and she was the
one means Of doing II. Through her Law
bis ambition. and she. who had been
Door, shared bis ambition with him. At
first the plan had been. to make Alec
the social representative Of the family.
the proud and shining star, and for that
purpose he had been given a good edu.
cation. But he was Disappointing OK.
pectatiors, and not unnaturally Mrs.
Howe was thinking more and more Of
the prospects Of her own child. But Mr..
Howe still chung to Alec.
Father" said Alec one evening,
when they had come home from bust.
ness, "I'm going to study law, I'm
tired Of business I lead a dop's life.
and I'm tired Of II, I've stood Il as long
az | osp."
Mr. Howe was silent,
II can have chambers with Forbes
nv class in college, Won know, Things
will 40 better at home when I'm away.
/ fancy"
Still there was silence where Mr..
Howe sat- and Alec yentured to look al
him. He saw dark cloud on his ia.
theirs face and began to tremble. But
he took courage, and with sudden deter.
mination and impetuosity spranQ to his
feet. and turning bis back cried:
"I'ye made M nv mind. I'm Of spe
and mean to do as [ like
Mr., Howe rose also and began walk.
Ing about the room. At last he spoke
III Won leave the business and vour
home. Won need NOT expeot That I shall
foot your billsn
Thu old gentleman walked uneasilv
M and down, He was not hard hearted
or obstinate INIT he didn't know what
TODD and Alec's manner was highly dis.
resneotfnl
Mrs. Howe entered. After staring nj
the two for a moment abe exclaimed:
"What in tho world has Alac haen
doing powY
II shall not trouble Won much longer.
I have decided TO 90 awav. y said Alec,
turning.
600 awavY Where will Won COP Do
vou intend 10 Land an idla lifa at vour
fathers expenseY"
~ had intended 10 studv law ~ said
Alec calmly
II sbould think vour father had spent
pnonob monsv on vour education al.
ready" sneored Mr. Howe. taxing a
w I'D