Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-04

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mad been grubbing among these hills be
had become countryman, with all the
rustic's awkwardness, shyness and M
calmly walk. His clothes seemed to de.
msnd these things Of him. His sur.
roundings by sympathy drew him into
their own likeness. The city was one
life and the country was another, and
having chosen to live in the cousxy be
did not find its limitations irries1aDg,
and he almost wondered at it. Dut he
perceived that he was drifting farther
and farther away from city customs and
manners.
About O'Clock be stopped at farm.
house for dinner and to give his horse a
feed Of some oats be had with him.
When be took out the oats. be saw the
luncheon bag and Immediately looked
10 sse what was inside. There were two
sandwiches and several doushnuR and
some ginger cookies. Down among them
was little black thing that looked like
. bsets. He put hts hand In to pick II
out and found 1t was bis dollar bill.
Now it was bis turn to be surprised and
embarrassed and reused. He could never
offer it n her again. he wondered II
she had been offended and took this
way Of showing it. For a moment be
was angry with her. Then he bad an
impulse Of admiration. he ended with
q feeling Of deep and uncomfortable
doubt. He asked himself il Maud could
by any possibility DO in love with him.
But, no, 1t was preposterous. he dis.
missed 1t from bis mind, but determin.
cd never again to see her. The charming
little romance hs bad spun about her
was spoiled.
But before be reached home he receiv.
cd a still more disagreeable shock. As
be drove slowly along not half mile
from Ashton q oarryall loaded with gay
summer boardsrs whirled past him. He
looked up suddenly, and his eyes met
those Of a young lady he had known in
New York. Whether she recognized him
or not he could not tell, but evidently
she had come to spend few weeks in
the neighborhood, for the carryall was
the property Of farmer whose name
Alec knew and who came every day to
the store. Probably Miss Dora Thistle
bed arrived tho previous day. 1t was
impossible to suppose that she wouldn't
recognize him sooner or later. He had
never contemplated this sort Of thing.
What would she think Of him, working
in this garb among such people? And
what queer stories would she not set
adoat among the people in New York
who had known him? He fairly hated
her. He wanted to escape somewhere,
anywhere. he thought he had cut loose
from New York forever. That New
York should come to the retired little
village Of Ashton to spend it's holidays
be never contemplated. The calm sereni.
ty Of the place seemed broken. Half the
charm was gone.
He was almost surly as he entered the
kitchen after putting up his horse and
found 'Lisbeth scrubbing the floors. It
was after 8. and supper was on the ta-
BILE, but there had been visitors at the
tavern, and Lisbeth had been delayed in
her work. When she looked up to vel
come Alec back with q smile, be saw
how tired her face was. He was sorry
for her and straightway forgot his own
troubles.
Ibid you catch the train9" she asked
first.
eyes, and got the g." he answered
with a laugh.
Supper is on the table. l waited a
little, thinking perhaps you might
come"
Alec proceeded to wash bis face and
hands in the tin basin on the bench out
side the door. and soon was eating q
hearty supper. Maud's lunch bag was
untouched. But after supper he gave
the things to 'Lisbeth, and thinking
about it that night he decided to for.
give Mand-
ITO BE CONTINUED