Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-24

as tne plckeeei IN the morning and q
the pout in the evening. Jerry said
nothing whatever about bis plans. but
Alec was privately informed by Daily
that Jerry was going over Ito take his
girl to the Baptist picnic. (" It seemed
that, though the Bennetts were ortho-
dox, Nelly Seatons folks were Baptista.
But naturally that made no difference
to . devoted lover like Jerry. who wa
quite willing to become = Baptist foF
Melly's sake. Alec could not help laugh.
ing at the idea OF the tall. ungainly,
droll fellow In the role o( lover. But BE-
had no doubt that Jerry End Nelly man.
eyed 1t perfectly.
Maud complained that abe was a.
ways lot out and never could go any.
whers, for tho bcys Wouldn't take her.
Her mother said abe bed plenty to do At
home. and there was no nssd Of hss g..
Ing Oh to the circus or anywhere else.
Milo said BE- would have taken her 10
the circus himself II be didn't have 70
90 over 70 80 Plinpton Jones' colt,
which be was thinking Of buying ia
pair with Jerry. = pamesake Of bic seep'
son. he said they must have au extra
team Tor haying. since tho old whih
horse John had died.
4ls. Bennett seemed to have no idea
Of doing anything but stay at home and
work. ~ abe VA always working. A
holiday would have appeared to her 4
sheer waste Of 10 much time.
Alec wondered at first what he would
90 himself, but inally TOOK pity on
Maud and decided to ask her II sha
wouldn't 90 to the circus with him. He
hardly knew whether Milo would let
him have . horse and buggy; but, con.
sidering tho old gentleman . tender feel.
Ing toward Maud, he presumed be would.
II was aho . question whether MIRA
Bennett would permit her daughter to
80 on for the whole day with stranger
like himself, and this was his moss
doubtful point Of all he decided to
speak to Milo first.
He followed the bosa, a. the boys To-
military called their atepfsther, when
he went to the barn with q big milk
pail In each hand, and a. the sturdy old
gentleman sat down on bis three legged
stool. and. leaning bis forehead against
the side Of the COW, began sending long,
steady streams Of milk rafting against
tho sides OF the tin. Alec ventured to
say:
1T has occurred to me, Mr.. Bennett,
that II you were willing to let me take
your third horse and the open buggy
Miss Maud might 80 over to Pavonia
with me tomorrow.
Mr.. Bennett seemed to be meditating.
for he did not reply Immediately. Alec
thought perhaps the noise Of the milk
had prevented him from hearing, but
that was not 30.
"Have you spoken to the girl9" he
inquired at last.
II thought I'd better ask you about
the horse first, replied Alec. feeling
that there was something in the others
mind which he had not anticipated.
There was another pause. varied only
BY tho steady swish OF the long streams
Of milk. but at last Mr.. Bennett said
somewhat slowly:
well. guess you can hev the horse
But ! wouldn't mention nothin about
goin to the circus to the women folks.
III speak to the girl about 1T when l git
done milking. You'llhev to start pretty
early in the morning, but 1t it's q pleas
ant day, as it looks like tonight, ! guess
you'll get along all right. ! can tell
mother after you git started.