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

around fooling with my daughter with
out saying nothing to nobody. It's 9
disgrace"
CHAPTER Y.
MRS. BENNETT TURNS HIN OUT or THE
HOUSE.
When Alec came down to breakfast
the next morning after good nights
sleep and with only q vague remem.
brance Of what be had heard the night
before, every one was remarkably quiet.
Maud said good morning in answer to
his greeting, but Mrs. Bennett did not,
and Milo seemed very much depressed.
Jerry made one or two forlorn droll re-
marks, and Daily had something to say
about bis lack at fishing. They, too,
had not heard the news, but very soon
they felt the aufiocation Of the atmos.
phsre and were silent too There they
sat at table. all as silent as the grave.
Alec felt the first oppression Of fear
and doubt and rebellion come over him,
for be knew that be was being put out
Of the house as much as II Milo were
driving him with stick and kicks.
Had Milo been putting him ont that
was the way be would have done 1t, but
this was tho woman . way. It was Mrs.
Bennett who was putting him out, not
Milo. Alec looked At the old man and
saw that he was really miserable, though
stolid enough about 1t, and he had
vague thought Of doing or saying some
thing to break the oppressive silence
and cheer the others up. He tried one
or two remarks, but they did not g.
There sat Mrs. Bennett at the other end
Of tho table. and she was master Of the
situation.
As soon as breakfast was finished
Milo and tho boys escaped to the barn.
Alec would have gone, too, but Mrs.
Bennett detained him and at the same
time sent Maud to do the chamber
work full hour before the regular time.
II wish to say that we will not need
your services any further, began Mrs.
Bennett, standing like soldier, hand
on each hip, terror in her eyes. IA mis-
cradle, picked faced brat out Of the
slums Of New York to come here and
pretend to be somebody and disgrace me
and my family
She bad counted evidently on pouring
out all her wrath and vituperation for
ct least once In her life, but Alec felt
his blood rising, his recant meekness
seemed to slip from him, and to the ut
ter astonishment Of the angry woman
before him he took on an air Of wounded
dignity Of sort quite new to Mrs. Ben
nett and said
Madam, aDuse me. Twill not trou-
bic you further. "
With that he walked away like
king. Hurrying up the back stairs three
steps at a time, he snstched from bis
room his little rubber bag, with the
blanket tied to 1t, just as 1t was when
he came week before, and hurried out
Of the house. Az be went he looked
about for Maud, but she was nowhere
to be seen. Re was sorry for Der and
partly angry at HrA Bennett On her No.
count, for the attitude the woman had
taken seemed to him to reflect ON her
daughter FIR more than II did on him,
and II In any way be could have aveng-
d the innosmt child be would have
done 20 But be nw nothing for IT but
10 go away.
II was clear, cool morning. like the
one ON which he had first come, and In
bis present condition Of mind walking
was a genuine pleasure. he felt as II he
could walk at least 20 miles, since %
miles would be so far away from the
house he hated 30.
As the sun rose continually higher
the day grew warmer, but the air was
not sultry, and Alec rather enjoyed the
exercise Of walking, though the per-
spiration streamed from every pore and
the dust rose and stuck to his hands and
face until they were quite black. He
felt stronger and more vigorous in body
than when he set out, and, though he
had not q cent in his pocket, he feit
more secure by far than on that first
day. Moreover, his pride was up with
his anger, and he could not very we'll
mourn in encouragement over the pos
sibility Of starving. That was too ridic-
ulous His plan was TO walk as far as
he could and then inquire for work. or
at least beg nights lodging and prom
Use to work 1t out on the morrow. The
people seemed hospitable enough, and
he felt that his simple, earnest manner
was convincing proof Of his honesty.
But he did wonder that Milo and the
boys should seem to have turned against
him 80 suddenly, u II he had indeed
committed fsnls for which ha could