Abilene weekly reflector., 1896-03-19


than done. Softly ! whispered the last
lines Of Whisper and | Shall Hear re'
irain. A slight shake OF The head, and
then rendering Of Good by, Sweet
heart, 'Good-by,' Aoated down. Ther
they were really gong away.
Evelyn. | dol't think it's quite
proper for you " be standing there,
came d voice from within, and which
by straining my ears, could just over
hear. My neart beat wildly, and tine
girl turned 10 address her aunt with
out leaving lie DaIcouy.
ats almost dark now. and can I
stay cooped up all the eyening-our
last one, too What does papa want
us back in such hurry for:'
Because he wishes it, my dear;
that's all the reason can give you.
You really must help me to finish the
packing in q few n,inutes.'
Then Ler aunt had revealed nothing,
and believed her vet to be in ignorance
Of my presence at the hotel. Lucky,
but the case was desperate ons Evel, IL
returned t, her former position and
leaned over again.
Where Are You Going To, My
Pretty Maid". ! began. There was 0
momentary paus', and then the an
swer came in liac OF Home, Sweet
Home, from my darling's lips.
~ do wish you would drop that vul-
gar habit Of whistling, again came the
voice inside The window.
"'But, auAtie, there's no piano to
sing to- was the somewhat lame ex-
ctse. i must do something, and can't
possibly shock anyone up aere.'
TheI, there was silence once more.
Back to YORKSHIRE again No chance
there, Anyway, she still cared for ME,
and I must put her affections to severe
test. It was our only chance Of sec,ir-
ing happiness.
"'Oh, Mamie, Wilt Thou Gang VIZ
Me% Ipiped.
"Where Are You Going Tor was
again utilized in reply.
II was stumped for the minute, but
q bar or two Of Big Beh a favorite
song Of mine, camt as hazardous res
cue. She Understood, bless her! but
a lengthy pause lntervened before her
answer. Love ard duty had hard
struggle. Then: No, Sir; No, Sir; No,
Sir; MOI wns repeated four times in
succession. She refused. then! But
why so emphaticnlly? What . silly
idiot was The fourth time the girl
in the song said No she meant Yes
| brcathed ,gan.
'3utaboul our departure. The mosn-
ing York train via Bath left at 9:45.
The earliest Waterloo was I. 45, and we
should be e.sily tracked and our IN
tentions frustrated in consequence. II
we left 1t until then. consulted my
watch. II was0 0:l5 The night train up
left al 1920. Oh, Why Should We Wait
Till Tomorrow? went up without de-
lay. 'All's Well from above soon set
led that question satisfactorily, but
was followed Immediately by a few
bars Of I'radshaw's Guide ditty. I
krew what she wanted, so, after
slight hesitation, | warbled: Come
into the Garden, Maud, and chirpcd
zen times, Hope on, dear loved one,
We shall meet again, from Dream
Faces, proved that | was clearly under
tood, and then she turned to address
Mss Alton N louder tones than before.
II declare you're nearly asleep,
unite. I'm tired, and have a headache,
co. We've long journey before Us,
o ! think II go to my room now.
)on't disturb, there's a dear; the pack
ng won't tpke long in the morning.
lou'd better do the same
"a good IDEA, Tvy; SO we will she
II cTept back, and m'nuye or two
atci Good nights were exchanged;
nd the subsequent slam of loor noti-
ed that Evelyn had left for her apart
lents.
"By o:45 | had settled up and left in
that my heavy baggage, for
not unpacked, would be called |
II sent for in the course Of a week or
rss, dangling an old telegram form
n my hand as | did so, to give color to |
ny hasty departure. At ten prompt |
picked up Evelyn under the pines in
he hotel gardens, and, with dressing |
ag End small Gladstone between us, |
'alked 1t to the station and eventually |
cached London safely, early in the |
norniug. lput her in one hotel, where |
knew she would be safe, with strict |
njunctions not to venture out till had |
xed everything up for the ceremony, |
nd went myself to another. The long |
nd short Of 1t was that before we were
nything like tracked the deed had |
zen done by special license and the
olonel defeated for once in his life.
"Come round, did he? Yes, when he
fterward discovered that the man in
ended for his daughter had already
cen engaged for two years, and got
narried shortly after we did! Even |
onld have told the Old fellow that, had |
e been more communicative and ex-
licit in the first instance, for my rival |
urned out to be none other than the |
riend ! was visiting. He actually adj |
tits now he couldn't have wished her
better match, but, anyhow, he"
And Birdy broke off into Cant |
hahge IT.
He rose quietly from his seat and
emily opened the smoking-room door. |