Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-04

looked ABOUT tn0 STORE nor IuCo DrlBnt0n
I'd with the perception Of Alec's faith
fulnesa. She said nothing, but stood
looking about for q moment till Alex
was BY her side, waiting to 90 through
tho door. Mr.. Higgins had always left
the SORE without attendance during
breakfast, and though AAc he'd some
doubts N to the wisdom Of 1t be follow
ed the old custom this morning he
thought that when they had o servant
she could stay In the store. That she
wooh expect to sit at tho table with the
rest Of tho family never entered hia
mind.
Mrs. Higgins did not appear, but as
Alec and 'Lisbeth entered the dining
room the children came Gathering down
the stairs.
When breakfast was nearly finished,
Mrs. Higgins came, but her manner was
no solemn that the children were fright
ened, and no one spoke a word.
"WhAt do you intend to do with the
store'" asked Alec at length, to open
tho conversation.
"Oh, don't ask me-" responded Mrs
Higgins in q weeping voice. "You and
'Lisbeth can do whatever seems best. "
II suppose there ought to be some law
proceedings!" said 'Lisbeth In an in
quiring tone to Alec. II don't know
anything about such things"
"Shall ask George Marston to do
whatever Is necessary" asked Alec, and
Mrs. Higgins Immediately responded:
"Oh, yes; ask George. BE will do
anything, and I'd rather have George
than any one elsa. "
When Alec left the table, he went
out to the blacksmith ahop George was
at work on q wagon wheel
Fine morning, said George Come
In and have Q seat"
II wanted TO speak to you . moment
IL could" said Alec. George respond
ed, Certainly" and Immediately led
him up stairs, where they could be In
private. The little rough garnet was Hll-
ed with boards and iron rods and vari.
GUS carpenters tools.
"Sit down, said George, pointing to
q tool chest, while he took his place on
q low box. he was much more at his
ease here within his own domain than
Alec had ever seen him at the store or
on the expedition to the mountains, and
this difference in manner disconnected
him little at the beginning. But as
George sat silent, waiting for him, he
managed to speak.
II wanted to see II you would be
willing to attend to the legal proceed.
ings necessary over at the stores"
what are they going to do with the
store?' inquired George, looking sharply
al Alec, and Alec felt George wished to
know what be intended to do himself.
II think we'd better keep 1t on il we
San. I Thought we might freshen the
business up a little, and 'Lisbeth and I
could carry things on for awhile. Don't
you think soi'
George accepted the post Of legal ad-
wiser and said he would 60 down to
Pavonia that afternoon and see what
steps were to be taken. Before he went
he would drop in to zee Mrs. Higgins
and 'Lisbeth.
There was much curiosity in the
neighborhood as to what would take
place now that Joe Higgins was dead.
Alec was at once recognized as an i'm
portant factor in the affair. Some won
dered II he might not marry 'Lisbeth
and settle down there. Others suggested
that he would buy out Mrs. Higgins and
marry some one, any one, not necessa-
rily 'Lisbeth.
Alec spent the day in the store look
ing over books and papers and trying
to think what should be done. But
about 5 O'Clock in the afternoon he had
special visitor, no other than JON
athan Finchley. Mr.. Finchley came in
and asked for piece Of tobacco. When
he had received 1t, he cut some up,
rolled it in bis hand and put 1t into
his pipe. Then he asked for a match
and began to smoke, He was very de-
liberate, and Alec stood respectfully,
waiting for him.
"Beyou goin to run the store2" asked
Mr.. Finohley after time
Alec hesitated, for he was far from
sure whether the idea Of his managing
the store would be received with favor
or not.
Nothing has been settled yet, !" he
answered after an embarrassing pause.
But you have an idee you may be
put on to manage, amt ycu"
Mr.. Finohley took seat on the top Of
barrel, and his manner assured Alec,
who stood behind the counter, that the
old gentleman had something serious on
his mind.
II may say" Mr. Nnchley went on
after a time, THAT some Of us old ones
was thinkin about putin in another
store here Joe Higgins was q good sort
In his way, but he amt run things ex-
actly to my idee, Or the idee Of some
others, and we cal'latsd to put in new
store here, just to smartin things up q
bit in town.
"But what I cum to say was that II
you be goin to take holt and run things