Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-04
'sopMxHl. nss. " INT AUTHOR.

~ AAoOs
The young man felt that be must 10Y
something, though Jonathan Finohley
smoked on as if be were In no hurry.
ut would kill the business II another
store were started" Alec said at last
Exactly" remarked Jonathan, puff
ing with vigor.
( II think the store might be managed
40 that 1t would satisfy all parties,
Alec went on.
1T cud," said Jonathan briefly.
"And il I stay here shall do all
can to make it q success.
II hev an idee you cud do it,"
~ haven't any idea what Mrs. Big.
gins and-and-'Li sbeth would do il
didn't stay" he also said.
Jonathan winked at the mention Of
'Lisbeth and said he reckoned they'd
have hard time Of it without him.
Don't you be bashful, young man.
You just go in, and I'll bet ~ dollar
bills on you all the way around"
BE rose from his seat, brushed the
sawdust from the scat Of his trousers and
lot them down for comfort, knocked the
ashes out Of bis pipe and said:
"Got any cornmsal?"
Jonathan Finohley had never bought
Cornmeal at the store before, and a
little meditation showed Alec the full
meaning Of this last significant inquiry.
Alec said they had, and Jonathan took
. bag, which he helped Alec to throw
into the back Of bis Light Concord wag-
on. he climbed up to the seat, said a
brusQue GOOD day!' and drove away.
Alec stood on the veranda steps till
hs was ont Of sight, and then returned
to the store In a state Of the greatest ex-
oitsment. Going straight to ths back
door hs said:
'Lisbeth, what do You supposS9
Jonathan Finchlsy has bsen here and
bought bag Of meal. "
1--WE heard that he and some other
men were going to start new store,
she said.
Eyes" said Alec, "he came in 10
tell me he intended to back out, and he
messed 1t wouldn't be started"
II Jonathan Nnchley was going to
stand by them, that meant the town
would be ON their side. Both Also and
'Lisbeth had had some doubts as to
whether they would be considered old
enough for such responsible post. Alec
had more confidence than 'Lisbeth by
far, for she knew the way Of country
village publics, who have very decided
ideas on matters within their own con-
troll, and this obviously was one. But
If Jonathan Finchley was for them the
others would have to come around.
The next question was how the
finances stood. II Mr.. Higgins had left
no capital, 1t would be hard work TO re-
stock the store as Alec wished TO DO.
But be did not think Of any such posi-.
bility ~ this, or II he did think Of it he
brushed it quickly away. Matters must
be looked into as soon as possible in
order that they might make beginning
Of the new regime at once, He wanted
to send an advertisement to the Pavo-
nian Gazette for servant girl, but Lis
beth refused to allow that till matters
were settled and they knew where they
stood.
perhaps there won't be any money
to pay the girl, she said, but Alec said:
"Then we'll make some.
'Lisbeth smiled and said they'd see
She kept steadily at her work, and Alec
wondered what she was thinking. He
felt sure she must be formulating some
plan.
George Marston started for Pavonia
by the stage that afternoon and would
not return till the day after the next. In
the meantime Alec would have to wait in
patience, but he kept thinking over that
visit Of Jonathan Finchley and the pur-
chase Of the bag Of meal SO strangely
significant.