Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-01-14
CHAPTER VIII,
ALICE IS BEFRIENDED BY 'L1sBETH.

That night the store was lighted up,
and the double door stood invitingly
open. Rough farmers and the village
loafers were sitting about on the steps
outside, or within the door on the long,
grimy settee and the various barrels,
kegs and boxes. Somebody was telling
q story, and the company seemed to be
genial, though never more than one
person spoke at time, and two or
three did most Of the talking, while
the rest were content to DO audience or
whispered awkward commentaries to
each other.
Alec hesitated and stood a moment
looking at them, wondering il they
were talking about him. He had not
meant to 90 near the store again. He
dare not spend his money for lodging
at the tavern after he had failed. Why
should heP But he might go and buy
some crackers and a piece Of cheese,
for he suddenly realized that he was
hungry.
Then one Of the loafers saw him and
cried out;
"I'll DO bowed, il there amt that
city coon out there in the dark. Come
on, young fello', and let's have q look
at you'll"
The rest Of the company were silent
as death, and sat gazing into the dark
ness.
"Come on. Don't be bashful, " cried
the first speaker. "We won't hurt you.
Come up here to give us mowin lessons,
Is'pose."
A chucklo Of laughter went round the
crowd, and Alec was for running away
at the top o. his speed, only he dare not
invite pursuit in that way. Instead he
walked straight into the store, paying
not the slightest notice to the men who
sat about, and asked for dimes worth
Of crackers and cheese.
whats that, sonny?" asked Joe Hig-
gins from the counter, where he lay at
full length on his back. Crackers and
cheese' amt got no cheese left. Will
crackers do your"
Mr.. Higgins made no motion to get
up, though Alec said he would have
the crackers. After a pause Mr.. Hig-
gins volunteered the information that
his rheumatism was SO bad that night
he thought he couldn't get the crackers
himself, but he would call 'Lisbeth.
Whereupon he bellowed
'Lisbeth"
'Lisbeth was standing behind the
back dom evidently, aud Immediately
appeared.
"This young city swell wants some
dry crackers to keep him alive. Myrhu-
matiz is so bad tonight couldn't think
Of climbing way down of here just
for q pound Of crackers "
The loafers guffawed Of this, and
Alec wanted to get away as soon as he
possibly could. He felt himself in very
nest Of enemies Everybody and every
thing seemed to have changed since
morning. The morning seemed ages ago,
so long he could hardly remember 1t.
He felt rs II he were in an entirely new
and disagreeable world.
'Lisbeth walked directly toward him,
and in her bearing he felt little Bit
Of sympathy amid all the hardness. But
il embarrassed him, and he only felt the
more like running away.
evil you have these round ones,
she asked, taking cover off large bar
rel, "or would you like these soft soda
crackers?" indicating q box, toward
which she Immediately walked, follow
ed by Alec. who was vaguely comfosted
by the soft tone Of her voice.
MAXIM a mash on 'Lisbethf' whis-
psred one Of the meanest looking Of the
loafers Alec did not look around at all,
bSt the gisl gave the offender quick,
threatening look. which che distributed