Abilene weekly reflector., 1897-02-25
CHAPTER XVII.
THE oBsEQUIEs OF JOE HIGGINS.

formed the necessary 0fiicas Tor the
dead, there was naught to do now but
eat supper and 60 to bed. Kind women
followed Mrs. Higgins and 'Lisbeth
fairly into the dining room, and had to
be assured many times that there was
nothing to bs done, no assistance need
ed, that they were perfectly comfortable
for the night now that George and Alec
had come home. And at last, as George
and Alec were finishing their supper,
the four were left alone in the dining
room. and Mrs. Higgins and 'Lisbeth
sank into chairs at the table with the
young men. Mrs. Higgins by turns
wept on the virtues Of her deceased hus-
band. All three tried to comfort her,
but In vain. She became hysterical, till
'Lisbeth spoke to her:
Mother, stopl Stop, mother"
But Alec had been watching the face
Of 'Lisbeth. Not a tear had escaped her
eyes; her face was pallid and drawn in
tense lines.
Alec suggested to Mrs. Higgins that
he should help her into the parlor, and
she would gratefully have accepted his
assistance, but 'Lisbeth jumped up and
said:
"I'll go with mother.
"No, you stay with George" said
Mrs. Higgins, even at this moment
thoughtful Of the proprieties to her
guest.
George can take care Of himself.
Alec can look after him." said 'Lisbeth
curtly, and took her mothers arm.
The two men sat looking at each 9th.
er for little while. Then Alec said.
II think I'll clear of the table. Lis
beth must be pretty we'll used up to-
night"
As he began his work George rose and
said be thought he must be going that
he would come over in the morning,
and be glad to do anything in the world
he could do.
"No;stay a little while. 'Lisbeth will
be back, said Alec, and went on with
his work. So George sat down in cor
uer Of the room and waited.
In ten minutes our dainty city lad
had performed the duties Of the table
girl Then he went to close up the store.
He bolted the front door and put out
the lights. Then he went the round Of
the windows in the tavern, fastening
them as Mr.. Higgins had been accus
toned to do. As he went toward the
dining room he heard voices and knew
'Lisbeth must be there George was
standing in front Of her, q hand Oh each
Of her shoulders.
II don't know but this Is a bad time
to say it," George was saying, yet !
don't know but it's the right time. I
meant to say it when got back. l was
thinking about it all the way along.
Now that he's gone you'll need some
body to take care Of you and the folks,
and don know that I'm good for any
thing else il you'll just have me, Lis.
beth. "
He spoke in a hesitating, jerky way.
But 'Lisbeth understood.
"But, said she, II won't tie myself
to any man with all my fathers family
hanging on my skirts. II mother and
the children get enough out of the store
and things to take care Of them proper
ly, perhaps | might
Then Alec heard something that
sounded like kiss A moment later
George was stumbling blindly out into
the dark. He stumbled into Alec, who
shook hands with him and bade him a
hearty good night, which quite brought
him to his normal senses. Alec fastened
the door after him and went into the
dining room, where 'Lisbeth was stand
ing by the table,
"Ive fastened all the windows" said
Alec, "and the doors are bolted except
ont this way"
"I'll fasten out here," said 'Lisbeth,
but Alec followed her, and their hands
sometimes met in the dark. A tear or
two dropped on his, and then he no.
ticed that she was sobbing and could
not stop despite her every effort. When
they got to the dining room where there
was light, she lay her head on the ta-
bic, her arms stretched out before her,
and gave way at last to the grief she
had so long contained, Alec stood and
watched here till the tears began to run
down his face too
But at last she stopped and they be-
gan to talk. They consulted as to what
was to be done. In veiled way they
talked over 'Lisbeth's possible mar
riage 'Lisbeth decided that she and
Alec must get the store to rights and
manage things for the winter. In the
spring perhaps-but it would be time
enough to talk about 1t then.
"The children don't know" said
'Lisbeth, "they don't know thing,
They didn't know about fathers not
being well even, and ! put them to
bed It's strange that with the noise
and everything they have not been
down to see what the matter is But
they went after leaves today after school
and got very tired. Isuppose that is the
reason. But we shall have to tell them
in the morning."
"Let me tell Them" said Alec.
Doesn't even Jim knowY"
"Not a word"
Then they put out the light, and to-
pether stumhlad ont in tho dark IN tha