Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-04

Alec thought 'Lisbeth worried herself
to death. Her part Of the house never
looked dirty. And hs looked curiously
at Joe Higgins, ~ II he were looking al
q man almost in the next world. More
over, everything was narrow aad pinch
ed-only nature was luxuriant-and
Alec wondered how on earth fortune
could ever DO made out Of tho penny 4
worth Of this and the two pennies worth
Of that, with scarce ever A order above
few shillings
As be went about the store he remem-
bered very wildly the desperation Of
bis first days in the village and was
nightly thankful for bis present van
tase. But nevertheless he bad desperate
6ts Of inconsistencies, and for a day or
two be locked about in vain for any pos
sible work by which he might earn a
little money. In the meantime he said
nothing to Mr.. Higgins about hours,
and as there seemed plenty to do In
cleaning up and putting things in order
and mastering prices and what not he
stuck pretty CLOSELY to that.
The tavern was chiefly stopping
place for tourists and other travellers
driving to the mountains or engaged in
coaching parties They would stop to
rest their horses and have them watered
and fed, and they usually wanted a
hasty lunch for themselves On rare 90.
cssions belated traveller inquired for
lodging. Alec's duty was to receive the
visitors on the front veranda (as be was
the most attractive looking person about
the premises), and take the horses. 1t
was embarrassing to play lackey to suoh
people as he had been used to mingls
with on an equality; but, on the whole,
he rather liked this opportunity Il see-
ing refined people in any capacity what
ever. There was a sweetness in being
near them and hearing them talk In the
familiar accent which was balm to his
homesick heart He was always we'll
treated, and frequently shrewd man
or kindly lady looked at him inquiring-
ly, as II to ask how he came there,
though nothing was ever said.
But one day the chance for earning
some money and for something else
came quite Unexpectedly. One evening
after supper Alec went into the store
and found Joe Higgins as usual On his
back on the counter. but talking with o
stranger In bicycle costume. he was
saying:
"Waal, yes, guess you could have a
horse and buggy to go to the BUSHES,
but it's mors'n a5 miles, you know. Ell
you waited over till morning, you could
80 down by the 10 1876 train from Ashton
Station. "
but l must catch train tonight II
it's possible. don't mind paying for
it,"
"Waal, there's Pavonia, 80 mile. You
might catch the | O'Clock train. Yeck-
on. You ken have my horse and buggy ef
you can make q bargain with this
youngstsr here to 90 long and fetch the
team back. He has nothing to do, and l
b'lieve he likes riding"
Alec was offered Is for the night's
Job and accepted at once and immedi.
ately started to hitch up the horse. Pa
vonia Could he hear that word with
out remembering the circusp And this
drive would take him directly past the
house Of the BENEFITS. Would he catch
a glimpse Of them? Now he could stop
and return the dollar bill as he came
back. A strange thrill went through his
heart at the thought Of seeing Maud
again, and now he did not dread meet
ing Mrs. Bennett. He could laugh in
her face Eagerly he threw the harness
on the old mare and hauled her into the
shafts She seemed far more reluctant
for this midnight journey than he and
moved with extreme slowness. But soon
she was harnessed and fast in the light,
open wagon, and moment later the bi.
cycle rider was putting in his broken
wheel, and Mr.. Higgins was giving
Alec directions about the care Of the
horse They were to put up in Pavonis
for rest and feed and not start on the
return till late in the afternoon. when
the July heat had abated = little. max.
ing the greater part Of the Journey in
the evening.
1t was a hard drive that 80 miles in
the dark, especially as neither of thu
men knew the way very well. Oftsn Al
,s..a l. At.A -. i,