Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-18
s'COpypLH1. 1896. sy Int Avrrca.


ure.
The Saturday before the opening was
Maud's birthday, and though they were
in the midst Of the work and excitement
Of the coming event 'Lisbeth took time
with her other baking to make her a
frosted birthday cake, and Alec gave her
the white lawn dress which she was tc
wear the following week. No one spoke
Of the birthday till supper time. Then
before Maud's place was the cake and
hanging over the back Of her chair was
the dress. She was little later than
the rest in coming to her meal, and
when she came hurrying in she stopped
beside the chair and looked at the dress
in amazement for moment Then she
lifted 1t and asked naively:
Whose is this?"
Jim grasped the situation and prompt.
~ replied:
otis birthday present.
She looked at itwith evident admira.
ton. Then she saw the cake.
lis this mine, too?" she asked with
still more wonder and doubtfulness
yes" replied Bessie at once, deter.
mined to anticipate Jim with her
knowledge this time. II saw 'Lisbeth
making it, and she said it was your
birthday cake.
Maud looked about the table in be-
wilderment, examining the faces Of
each one. especially those Of Alec and
'Lisbeth At last tears filled her eyes,
she hung her head and left the table
hastily. In a moment she had washed
the tears away and came back with a
smiling face, her heart and eyes full Of
tender gratitude. She had seemed lit.
tie suspicious Of 'Lisbeth, but now that
was all charged.
That Saturday night, too, big no.
tice was tackled on the front door Of the
store where everybody coming to church
could see the announcement of the
Opening" which till then had been
kept profound secret.
The notice remained up all the week,
and the turnout the following Satur.
day was such as to fill the hall to suffo-
cation. 1t had been dull November
day, and as darkness settled down the
first snow Of the season began to futter
down in great soft flakes. Soon the
ground was hidden under an ermine
mantle of exquisite richness
By half past the people began to ar
rive. The men stamped the snow rough
ly from their boots, and the girls and
women shook their dresses as they came
up on the veranda. The hall was bright.
ly lighted, and there was a cheerful
open fire which Alec had arranged ex-
pressly for this entertainment As ii
was not very cold, no other heat was
needed.
On one side were displayed all the
bright dress goods and made up gowns,
which 'Lisbeth had charge of. She was
dressed herself in very pretty bright
calico, which very we'll became her pre-
cisely cut but kindly face. Those who
saw her thought they had never seen
her look so fine.
On the other side were the ready made
suits for men and boys, the overcoats
and the tailor's goods and place for
measurement Alec wore his tailor
made suit and was walking advertise.
ment. The young fellows seemed al.
most overcome by his elegance Of man
ner and looks.
Mrs. Higgins, in her best silk dress
and an old fashioned little white lace
cap, went about among the guests, over
flowing with hospitality, and praising
literally the enterprise Of Alec and her
daughter 'Lisbeth Which was the
greater wonder was not satisfactorily
settled. Flo and Bessie were allowed to
be present, too, and trotted about in the
highest glee, having the very best time
in the world, till they fell asleep in
some kind neighbors' arms.
George Marston stood near 'Lisbeths
corner, smiling in astonished wonder at
Alec's idea and in pleasure at the inevi.
table result in helping on 'Lisbeth's
business, which in one sense was his
own as well. The older men crowded
about him and talked grain and crops
and the milk market and an arrange
ment which Alec had made for selling
their hutter.
There was also q great counter Of
toys and knickknacks, as toothbrush
&c. bootjacks, kitchen utensils and &C
forth, Of which be had nominal charge.
But be usually rsfsrrad ops1tionsrs K