Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-07-07

L
himself ont at full length. ELY sat
at the table beside him, and her fin
gers played at times with his curls
He was speaking of his programme
for the next concert 1--WE must con.
tinue our journey so very soon, Ely
want to drain the cup of success t.
the dregs; one more day like to-day
and-oh! oh! Elly!' he suddenly ex'
claimed, rather GROSSLY, what are
you doing? You have certainly pulled
out some of my hair"
why, my dear husband--'
Yes, you have! See. there are al
least DOZEN
lie raised his head and looked al
her reproachfully.
why, Ely he said, what is the
matter with your
oh, nothing, Richard" she replied
smiling, as she endeavored to hide the
strange excitement that had taken
possession of her. But perhaps you
have forgotten that, during our en-
gagement, you promised me lock Of
your hair?'
And because | haven't kept my
word you want to pull out hairs
enough, one by one, to make a lock?
You are certainly one of the most
|atfeclonate wives that can be mag
medi"
"0h, no. If | really pulled it a little
it was purely accidental; perhaps |
moved my hand rather quickly, be-
cause was vexed by the thought
that you had not kept your promise.
Yes, that was it"
"At that time, sweetheart, there
was no travelling | was with you,
with all my hair. So you needed no
memento."
All the same, you didn't keep your
promise, and don't like it a bit, es-
pecially as you have been kinder to
total strangers. Let me cut off the
lock now please. May II"
"But, little wife, consider the sea-
son of the year."
"Only one little lock, Richard,
where you can't miss it." A pair OF
scissors glittered in her hand. MAY
II" Her voice trembled.
"Oh, don't care, ELY, but"
Her agitated face vanished an in
slant amid his dark curls. He felt a
kiss pressed on them, then heard a
kissing noise.
For heavens sake, ELY, here in
front, on my forehead? And so much?
Good Lord!'
He rushed toward the mirror, but
the room suddenly became perfectly
dark. His wife had put out the light.
Two soft arms, claspir.g him around
the neck, and Elly, lelning her head
upon his breast, began to cry like a
child that knows 1T has done wrong
and deserves punishment
Richard could not understand t.e
violence of his little wife's grief, but
when she begged so wildly for his
forgiveness for what she had done, he
smilingly granted the pardon.
The bright morning sun shown into
the room.
"Disfgured. am utterly disfg-
ured! How could you do it,"
Richard turned angrily from the
mirror and seized his hat and cane.
Good by!' he called loudly to
wake his wife, who was still asleep.
She started up.
where are you going so early,
Richard?"
"ro the barber, to have my hair
cut" His voice sounded actually
piiTd'SlilIS'
Richard. my dear husband, you
see, | wanted" then, conscious of
guilt, she paused.
"Ahd So you meant to do it!"
He placed himself whore the light
played full upon him, took off his hat
and stared at her.
Ely was startled at her own work.
From his forehead to the right tenn
pie a clump of hair stood stiIrIy up,
giving Richards angry expression
somewhat comical aspect.
He rushed out of the room, while
his young wife murmured amid her
tears, perhaps he won't forgive me,
but it could not be helped"
The first part of programme was
over. During the pause the great
concert hall began to fill, for now
Richard Andre was to play. His ad-
mirers poured in and took their
places in the front row. As if by an
shock, the thrill of eXpecta-
tion was communicated to the rest
of the audience which 50 far had been
somewhat apathcic, ONLY the pause
lasted somewhat too long, longer
Than usual,
At las; the artist appeared on the
stage and was greeted by thunders
of applause. Several bouquets few
through the air and fell at his feet.
But the enthusiasm soon died away.
The hands which had cIapped so
madly suddenly paused. A strange
nurmur ran through the hall, people
east inquiring glances at one an
other.
This was not the artist whose per-
sonal beauty was so remarkable, but
/ very ordinary man, nowise different
from thousands of others, Why, he
oalaJ oln,nct rid iouloug Con bip |