Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-01-23
A WOMAN'S SAVING HAND.
BY EMILY BARTON.

He was ruined. AS he left the gam
bling house on Kearney street, San
Francisco, and wandered out into Gold
en- Gate park he had absolutely not "a
dollar in his pockets wherewith to pur-
chase a lodging or meal. The down
cast profile was clear-cut and firm, A.
guing powerful individuality in its
owner, and yet 4 mania had seized hin
as 1t had seized many Il weaker man.
and he had staked his oil and lost.
The moonlight touched his bowed
head softly, silvered the outlines Of bis
figure and revealed his haggard whine
ness.
1t fell on something else-something
that glittered in his hands like steel.
"Stopl Don't do thatl"
It was q woman's voice that spoke, a
woman's touch that rested lightly on
his sleeve, woman's great dusky eyes,
set In face such as one sees but SCI
dom in lifetime, which were raised to
his. She had strolled out to enjoy the
beauty Of the evening, and, absorbed N
meditation, had wandered farther than
she knew.
The mans arm dropped to his side.
He looked at her In silence, wondering,
admiring, perhaps little ashamed.
"Why did you want to do it," pur-
sued the gentle voice. docs life seem
so evil thing to your
81 have been fool--a madman |
am ruinedl"
"But you IRE a man, You Gun work
You can regain all that you have lost.
lie shook his head.
Il cannot find employment here, ind
| haven't the means to return to my
home, in Chicago"
Her hand slipped into her pocket nni
out again. Adroitly she drew the pistol
away from him and pressed something
into his hand in Its place.
See, have bought this thing Of
YOU she said, hurriedly. "You need
not feel too grateful Christians should
help each other. II you want to repay
me, swear TO yourself that you will
never do-what you attempted just
now. must leave you now. Good-by."
And she was gone before he could
stay or thank her-swallowed up and
lost In the shadow OF the trees.
miss Ferris, allow me to introduce
you to Mr.. Fergus Landeck."
The first time they had met alone un-
der the stars, In San Francisco; now
they were amid fashionable gathering
In the home Of one Of the railroad mag
mates In New York. She was in evening
dress, with diamonds sparkling on her
throat and in her hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze,
questioning, perplcxed; then there was
q fash Of recognition, and he saw she
knew.
"Wlll you take me into the conserva-
tory, Mr.. Landeck? II Ia 80 warm
here"
They left the ballroom and strolled
under the domed gasshouse where the
palms and lilies grew,
"You have not forgotten, them
II was bis voice, low and tremulous,
which broke the silence.
mo; nor you, It seems
"There are moments In mans life
which no never forgetS That was one
Of them. Do you know have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
again, and ! dared not indulge a hope
until this evening, when for the first
time | learned your name. Miss Fer
yis, shall we sit down for awhile2 lam
very grateful for this opportunity OF
speaking TO you alone. Iwant-l want
tt return to you, with many thanks, the
the gift you gave me five years ago.
All, don't say no. The obligation UNI
der which you placed me will none the
less exist, and-and shall always keep
the little purse, always-in remem'
trance Of that highland YOU"
Fortune has evidently favored you
since" she said, after a pause.
"Yes, fortune has indeed favored me
Miss Ferris. Your gift was like the en-
chanted purses in the children's fairy
tales-bottomless. II enabled me t.
reach the home Of my parents In Chi
cago. became reformed man, ant
soon secured embodiment a. secretary