Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-24
! An Intercepted Message. !
D An Incident Tending to Show That Ap. v
! pearaIces Do Sometimes Deceive. N
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

| CTTING in a New York hotel on
10 November evening, carelessy run
Ilng over the headlines Of a newspaper
had my eyes and wandering thought
arrested by an article that stirred som,
pleasant memories. Stepping to thu
table near at hand l was clipping tn,
bit of news when a handsome, athleti,
/ young fellow approached from the op
posite side, knife and paper in hand
\ moment later each noticed that tn,
other was preserving the same informa
ton Our eyes met, his brown and
laughing, mine blue and aggressive.
beg pardon" he began with a smile
that lighted up his dark face and
showed his strong white teeth to adj
vantage, "odd coincidence, isn't it"
81 don't know" with some constraint
up to short time ago my experience
was so entirely along one pleasant line
that my thoughts never went outside
of it. OF late surprises have come SO
rapidly that they cease to surprise. Do
you know her?
I'm inclined to think il my privilege
10 do the interrogating in this instance,
but you have already satisfied my chief
curiosity in the matter. II you were
not acquainted with Margie Morell you
would scarcely be putting that flatter-
ing criticism away in yourpocketbook."
'Yon speak fami.iarly Of her." and,
despite my efforts to initiate his easy
manner, there was challenge in my
voice.
Naturally enough" and his smile
was the more aggravating because the
more genial. II have known her for
years. Used to carry her books, haul
her on her little sled, skate with her,
ride with her, advise with her, encour-
age her when success In music seemed
so far off. and all that Held heron my
knee a thousand times. Why, she
spoiled the creases in this very pair of
trousers I'm wearing"
Now there was an effort at self-con-
troll on my part "Yon are a scoundrel
and b,ackguard," | whispered as !
leaned over the table. "If ever hear
Of your repeating such language I'll
find a way punish you withoutinvolv
ing the name of the young lady you
have been coward enough TO SANDER"
No change in his smile, but little
more blood in his face as he answered.;
"southerner, | should judge?"
Eyes, southerner, and one that tries
to retain the virtues of chivalry with
out its faults. want nothing more to
say to you"
'But like you insist on pursuing
the acquaintance. 1t makes me happy
TO chance upon SO stout a champion Of
Margie."
Mention that name again and III"
Hold hard. my bold southron," and
this time he laughed outright. I'm
Fred Morell, Margie's brother. Tn
fact, I'm the responsible head of the
family. Have you any special right to
fight the battles of my sister?'
"Only the right of a gentleman who
holds her in the highest respect. Imet
her abroad with her mother. was
my education in medicine
md Miss Morell was cultivating her
voice. In the midst of an
acquaintance so delightful to me re-
'eived news of my fathers sudden
Heath, and with It the startling infor.
nation that disastrous speculation had |
wiped out the large fortune that had |
lways been led to expect. FASTENED |
ZONE to Kentucky, spent six months in
ettling up the affairs Of the estate, and
ave just come north to see what can
make OF talents that have never yet
een called upon to earn anything"
at might have been worse. You are
)r. Tom Curran. I've heard them
peak OF you frequently. Why not
axe run out with me and renew the
1t was a temptation, and we are prone
compromise with temptation. /
ould not go then because | was TO
bend couple of weeks with my own
'lative, Uncle Bruff Curran, who lived
miles out Of st. Louis. BIT when
red and ] parted it had been arranged
lat ! should take dinner with the Mo-
III household.
AT Uncle Bruff's was havinga glori.
rs time, though he was bachelor OF
and cynical as be was rich. My
range experience there began one aft.
noon when was out shooting overas
ne pair Of Irish settlers as ever stood
covey of birds. The sport was fast
I'd furious and ! was banging away
lthout any precautions, for the game
US in a desolate preserve and the
ought of danger to anyone else never
tered my mind. But my confidence
the fact Of my complete isolation |
as brought up with a short turn.
I'd just let go with both barrels at q
ing bunch of quail when ! heard a ,
out OF terror and witnessed laugh
lie sight. ltw was a man literally drop ,
ng down a telegraph pole, his eyes
g with fright and false beard shift
to the side Of bis face. The fine shot I
ID peppered him harmlessly, but he /
ought that he had been fired upon .