Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-31

be blamed.


The thought Of that whole affair ran
kled 10 in bis breast that he resolutely
put it entirely aside and allowed him
self to enjoy as we'll as he could the
beautiful scenery through which he was
passing. Far in the distance be could
see from a hilltop now and then the
faint outlines Of the White mountains
cut vaguely against the sky like hasy
clouds. Behind him was the lake, Of
whose shining water be caught stray
glimpses between the hills and through
the trees. About him on every side were
hills and valleys innumerable. long level
slopes with sheep grazing on them or
SCARED, bush grown billsides from
which the timber bad been cut not many
years before or granite lodges standing
out bare and white. And at every step
the scene shifted. Here there was
beautiful little glen overgrown with
young box and maple, while out Of il
bosom poured little stream that ran
down into q meadow, where cattle were
standing to their knees In the cooling
mud and water. Again it was q broad
view Of q valley following the course Of
q larger stream, along which lay towns
and villages At scattered intervals, aud
youder to the left on the horison were
the dim outlines Of the Green noun
tains, and between, out Of sight, flowed
tho Connecticut.
It was past noon. and the young man
felt 10 hot and weary that be decided to
rest At q farmhouse be was passing he
stopped for drink, and. though it was
hateful to him to think Of begging, be
asked for something to eat, frankly stat
Ing that he bad no money, But the
rather we'll dressed woman who came
10 the door CURLY refused. The sting re-
vived biz anger Of the morning, but be
turned dogsedly away. Just beyond the
house, however, was fine garden. He
could zee ripe Strawberries and some
lettuce. BE paused moment, looking
At 1t, and rapidly thought that since the
woman had refused bis honest request
he would not scruple to help himself.
The garden was hidden from the house
by some thick trees, so he leaped the
fence. and sitting down in the shade at
one side Of the strawberry bed began to
pick and eat.
BE also began to realize how tired he
was and soon took ont bis blanket and
spread II on the grass. he thought be
would have some lettuce. too, and be
remembered that when be started out
on bis tramp be had taken pepper and
salt in bis bag for just this purpose. In
few moments be had picked some
leaves Of lettuce and washed them in a
little brook just under the hill He also
filled bis cup with water, and returning
to his spread out blanket be emptied on
10 II the contents Of bis bag. There were
q teaspoon, knife besides the one be
carried in bis pocket, which he feared
be might lose; fork, his pepper and
salt and pepper roll containing change
Of undercl0thipg and some handker-
ehisfs-all just u be had packed them
when he left New York. for till now hes
bad had no occasion to use any Of the
things except the blanket and the tin
dipper, which were fastened to the
outside. But when he einptied tho
things out he saw, to bis unutterable
surprise, a 81 bill nicely folded up,
which had apparently been tucked in at
ono side. 1t rolled out on the blanket
with the other things, and Alec sat
looking at 1t in amazement without
picking 1t up How in the world had it
come there? Rapidly his mind travelled
back Could any one have put it In be-
fore be left homer Impossible! There
was no chance. Besides, he would
doubtless have noticed it before this.
There remained but one possibility.
Maud bad put it there. When her moth
or sent her to do the chamber work, she
could easily have slipped into his room.
he remembered now that be had heard
slight noise as he went in his anger
to get his things which be had not re-
hected IN at the time, The girl had not
bad too much time and must have hur-
ried to escape being caught. Yes, 1t was
Maud. She had felt that the money
spent the day before had been on her
account. and in justice some Of 1t ought
to bs returned. It was impossible for
Alec to assign any more sentimental
reason. But he knew shs must have
very little money Of her own, and pr.
haps this was all she had.
As be sat and thought be- grew very
much ashan ed Of bis anger at her in the
morning. She had suffered even more
than he had. and instead Of being angry
at her be should have been very sorry
and not minded his own injury. He
wanted to 60 back and tell her how
sorry be was he wondered II be could
not devise some method by which he
could get hsr away from the awful tyr
amy Of her mother. II not be wishsd
be could at least 90 back and tell her
that he aympathissd with her. But be
decided that 1t was not bsst to go back
just at present, and dnce the we'll dress
ID woman had not appeared with either
q policeman or a dog, be packed his bag,
folded up his blanket and proceeded on
bic way northwxd. BY sunset be had