Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-18
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABENt KANSAS FEBRUARY 49, 8TwE PAGES

found they prepared their lunch together.
Only three Of tho herd were lacking,
and these they hoped to find in part
Of the pasture yet unvisited.
But George seemed very sober in
deed, and scarcely spoke Alec missed
bis free, frank, cordial tone, and was
vaguely distressed, though be could
make out no reason.
As soon a. luncheon was finished they
started ont again. Alec wandered all
the afternoon, finding nothing Of the
cattle, but plenty else to enjoy. But as
the sun sank out Of sight away across
the valley behind the Green mountains,
be heard q long shrill whistle from
George. and hurried toward it as rapid
" as he could. 1t half an hour be-
fore be reached the bars, but here be
found George and the missing cattle.
So at daylight the next morning they
would be ready to start for home.
George was taciturn as ever. Alec
was oppressed, but rallied him on being
in love, telling him that after that part
ing kiss be ought to be a happy man.
The Others face lightened somewhat at
this, but still he did not resume his nat
ural cheerfuhess. They ate supper
quietly, and as both were tired they
soon lay down in their blankets to sleep.
But neither slept. It was clear and
cool; the stars shons down steadily the
wind rustled lightly but mournfully in
the trees over In the east the moon was
Just coming up round and red, casting
long shadows among the trees. They lay
thus for q long time with no other
sounds. Alec would have gone to sleep
long ago had be not been so very tired.
Suddenly George asked, as II he were
inquiring what O'Clock it were, but half
expected to find bis bedfellow asleep:
ibid you ever kiss her beforeY"
"No," said Alec in the same tone.
II don't know how I happened to then,
only she looked 10 lonely"
"Do you think she cares for meT
came the question after little pause.
"why, Of course. I am sure Of it
Didn't You know it' knew it from the
first night staid there. You know that
Saturday evening you came. saw her
cry q little behind the door when you
were gone.
There was q very long silence after
this. Neither moved nor offered to
speak. But at last George said in bis
old CHEEKY tome:
YOU'D better go to sleep, Alec. It's
tough tramping over the mountains for
the first time I'm pretty stiff myself,
and we must be of early tomorrow. It's
a good thing we've got all the cattle
in"
The journey home was long and
tedious one. One Of the men had to
walk all the way, and they took turns.
At the end Of the first day they were so
tagged out that George decided to secure
a pen If possible in which to keep the
cattle for the night, and at last succeed
ed. The next day one Of the steers ran
away, and while ten miles from home
they were obliged to drive the other
cattle into a neighbours barnyard and
90 to hunt for the missing one, which
they found along near midnight and
drove back to the others. They reached
Ashton about 10 O'Clock in the evening
Of the third day. The store was still
lighted, and George seemed in exceed
ingly cheerful spirits as they drew near.
They drove the cattle into the great
barnyard at the rear, and then George
brought the horse around to the front Of
the store, while Alec entered the build
ing at the rear. As everything in the
kitchen was still and dark, he made his
way into the dining room, where sup
per was spread for himself and George,
though no one was there, and then he
went on into the store, where 'Lisbeth
must be. No doubt the children had
gone to bed. and possibly Mrs. Higgins
also,
To bis surprise, he found the store
full Of strangers. Alec read in their
faces that something had happened, and
he hurried on toward the outer door,
where he could see 'Lisbeth and Mrs.
Higgins looking into the dark for him
self and George. As he reached the door
he made sound, and Mrs Higgins
turned suddenly and fell on bis neck
sobbing as she mumbled out:
ooh, Mr. Howe, knew you would
come; knew you would come! You've
always been that good to me and Lis
beth, and even Joe spoke wei of you. l
knew you would comet
"What is the matter?" asked Alec,
looking at 'Lisbeth, and Involuntary
drawing away somewhat from Mrs.
Higgins embrace.
'Lisbeth turned . sad, pale face on
him, and said shortly:
Fathers had a ct and died about
two hours ago. We've been waiting for
you to come Where Is George"
"There," answered Alec, for George
had come up in the dark and was stand.
ing on the step. 'Lsbeth turned and
stood facing him.
Fathers Dead" she said in the
same monotonous tone in which she had
addressed Alec. "He died in one OF
those fits about two hours ago. We've
been waiting for you. The neighbors
came in and offered to help, but they