Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-04


and struggled the old lady into tho
library. There he settled her in . big
armchair, and then ran hastily upstairs
to his wife. h.
Now Harriet was just looking about
for a convenient chair to put her skein
Of silk across, while she wound II on .
large spool, to keep 1t from tangling.
When Tom entered the room she jumped
up happily, and, giving him kiss, said,
imperatively; "Now, Tom, you are just
in time; put out your hands, sir!"
you dear old fellow-did Grace get
off? What kind Of time did you have
at the reception? Tremendously
crowded? oh yes, that goes without say
ing. Oh, Tom, it's such blessed relief
to have you here, all to myself. We
won't be at home to anybody for a
week, will we? but just have some Of
our pleasant little evenings together.
Have some tea? Here, | can reach the
bell. BY the way, I've had letter from
Florence Drayton. She's been up to a
new prank-been playing her cheer-up
act down at your aunt Martha's. She
must be an odd old soul from what
Florence says, You've never told me
much about her. When did YOU see her
last?"
Aunt Martha? Oh, not since was a
hoy. | really have rather neglected her,
] suppose. She was all right so long as
her daughter lived--Jane. She taught
school down there, and they got on very
we'll; but. speaking of old ladies'.
ooh, Tom" broke in HARRIET "you
seem to be excited on the subject Of old
ladies'. You're twisting your hands up
frightfully, and the silk is mess. The
trees look bare yet over in the park,
don't they? Ishall be glad when spring
really comes. II it hadn't been for that
frost!"
"Apropos Of the park" said Tom.
humbly. beeinning again rather abrupt
| w. "when I WINS coming through the
mark this afternoon there was poor
old woman sitting on a bench, l really
felt sorrv for her. she looked SO helm.
less and tired"
"Oh Toni" cried his wife IN DESPAIR.
"do nleose he careful You're knottinr
the Xix worse than ever. BE sorry for
ma YIN can't waste vour pitv on every
lonfer Won see on the mark benches"
"put Hettv dear this old lady wasn't
n .,oafer., she WINS inst n respectable old
country sou, 7 should iudre WIN had
last her wav IN the citv. / really felt
snr-, tor hor~
uxbv d,drN MN hr,ny ber home for
d;rroro" soid upw,et n LITTLE sarcastic.
ol,v ooh Tom now Won hive done Il !"
ION dronnad Tho s,lk entirely IN HIS
d,vmay md upsned half laughing IN
sr;ta ~ b,s nny,etv. "Wel, uettv dear
,,;d-hr,rr h.r.-ho,re With nal.
"Thomps Rurr Waltoni What have
,,,,, dan. with haro poor old th;nri,
md before Tom could grasp his wifes
m,rnose or change his mode. she was
downstairs Avinp through the draw
inp-room into the library beyond with
as she afterwards confessed, mixture
AZ fenrs that the "poor old woman
might have fallen in a faint from weari
ness. or thut she might have made Of
with the bric-a-brac."
poor old thing! She had not tainted
hut she WINS almost unconscious from
sheer exhaustion. Tenderly they lifted
her and carried her over to the divan II
the bow-window recess. She asked
feebly for her bag, and moaned out
something about being so many people
there" and she was 80 tired"
"Why, do believe it's the very SAINT
old creature that walked ahead of us II
the procession at the white house." sale
Mr.. Walton; Eyes, it's the same greer
veil!"
They looked for the little bag in vain
II remember she held on to it when
took her umbrella" said Tom. "Sht
must have dropped it in the street with
out my noticing it."
"Tom, dear" said Harriet, as they
went into the dining-room for dinner
leaving the poor old soul" fast ASLEEP
in the library-"Tom, | think you(
better send around to the other houses
in the place and inquire il they art
expecting an old lady. You see, It's
only block; and 1t might save hel
friends great anxiety"
pa' WIN - V".ie VI n.'' o' ~, T r,,,,
co"'a poss ,,;, w. eN's
| asked, uOuDtlully.