Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-01-21
''tOpyQLH1. 1896. ey INT Avrroa.

dlsparagement they walked out OF the
stors
During the forenoon there were few
visitors at the store, except curious chill
dren who looked in to stare at the new
clerk. But Alec did not mind them, and
soon after the mail was fairly of Lis!
beth came in where Alec had been left
alone and hastily showed him where
to find the principal articles and what
were the prices Of each. He had ready
memory and a quick sense Of locality
and form, and in two hours had digested
an enormous amount Of statistical infor-
nation. Had 1t not been for 'Lisbeth's
kindly thoughtfulneas in giving him
this lesson, he wondered what in the
world he should have done, for Mr.. Zig
gins seemed to assume that he knew it
all to start with, or that telling him
things was a nuisance, not to be gone
into except when customer was in
actual need.
After tea Mr.. Higgins liked to go in
to the store, and, stretching himself at
full length upon the unoccupied portion
Of the counter, lie talking to the men
who CHANGED to drop in after their days
work. So Alec sat down in the little
sitting room just back Of the tavern
parlor, and while 'Lisbeth and Mrs.
Higgins cleared away the dishes and
washed them he entertained the chill
dren. They were shy Of him at first, but
they had a great respect for his personal
ity. When he went into the sitting
room, at 'Lisbeth's suggestion, to read
the morning paper, the children all fol-
lowed him with o certain dignifed re-
serve, and taking their places on upright
chairs pretended to be reading, too,
though they were constantly casting in
quiring glanoes at Alec.
There were three Of them-James,
who was IA and quite lad and took care
Of the garden for his mother when not in
school; Bessie, who was 10, romping,
affeotionate child, and Baby Flo, who
was years old. She dearly loved to
lounge on somebody's knee. For FIVE
minutes she retained her reserved posi-
ton in the upright chair, reading book
which she held upside down. But at
the end Of that time she grew weary Of
this and siding shyly up to Alec rest
ed her chubby arms on his crossed
knees. He said nothing, nor did he even
look at her, but he put his arm about
her as he went on reading, and thus en-
couraged she was soon riding on his
foot. When Bessie saw what good time
Flo was having, she came and wanted
to be taken up in Alec's lap, and Jim
stood a little way of, prepared to make
some wise remarks on gardening. So
Alec was soon obliged to abandon bis
paper and give his strict attention to
the children.
A little later 'Lisbeth came in and
sitting down not far from Alec began
talking with him in friendly way
about how he liked the country, and
where he had lived and what he was
planning to do. The unpleasantness Of
his entry into the village was apparent
ly quite forgotten. He seemed suddenly
to have found a home and affection,
even if Of a humble kind, and for the
first time since he had left the city he
felt content. The worry and the work
and doubtful struggle had wearied him
out, but now he was getting genuine
rest. He had little vantage ground on
which he could stand for time and
reconnoiter the enemy-that most ma
lignant Of enemies, fate.
But soon Alec found that he was
plunged Immediately into another drama
than his own, in the thought Of which
he quite lost sight for the time Of his
own troubles. There was a sound OF
stumbling feet in the passage, hurried
rap at the little door, and somewhat
stopped but fine looking man Of 80 Or
more made his entrance. When he saw
Alec, he hesitated and seemed discon.
certed, but recognizing him in a mo-
ment as the young man who had come
into the store he gave quick glance at
'Lisbeth, who Immediately introduced
him to Alec as George Marstcn, the
blacksmith. BE had clear, open face,
blue eyes, and patient, not altogether
happy expression. He had evidently
come to see 'Lisbeth,' but be talked
pleasantly and kindly to Alec instead.
He was educated and well read, and
had very interesting and common sense
notions about most subjects Of human
thought and endeavor.
From time to time he gave hungry
chances at 'Lisbeth. and she sat upright
in her chair aud scarcely gave him a
casual look. In two hours he took hii
leave, and Alec fell to thinking Of him.
This was 70 doubt 'Lisbeth's lover.
But clearly she gave him no encourage
ment, not because she did not like him,
but because for some reason she judged
it not wise. Perhaps she felt too much
the responsibility Of her fathers fam
lily. Alec locked at her and pitied her.
She noticed his plying glance, and
turned her head quickly away as II to
hide some tear, bat in moment he waf
gone to bed, and afterward 'Lisbeth
gave no sign Of having guessed hit
knowledge Of her heart
CHAPTER Al.