Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-19
MsLEADlHG TELEGRAM.

Jane was going to be married. The
contract was al ready to Oe signed
that very evening, and the notary
with her fance were to come down
from town by the same train in time
tor dinner danes fat4ler lived in the
country; but as the happy groom
elect was never Known to De on time
in any OF his appointments, James
papa had privately sent off a tele-
graphic dispatch half an hour ago,
saying to the young man: DO not
come too late" so now all was in
readiness.
The eventful night had come, the
guests for the ceremony OF signing
the contrac. had arrived, and all was
prepared. The little bride-to-be be-
gan to feel nervous as the hour drew
near for Jeans arrival. Wheels on
the drive! She flew to the door. The
notary alone had come by the six
o'clock train--no Jean. Twenty times
at least she had gone to the end of
the long terrace to catch glimpse of
his approach, but nothing met her
view.
Ball. said her father, do not tid-
get so, my child; he will come by the
eight train; he is very charming, this
lover of yours, but he is always late"
"Oh, papa"
Eyes, yes, always behind time"
AT eight o'clock they sent again to
the station, but no Jean was there.
Dinner was served without him, Jane
trying bravely to be cheerful with her
guests, but as the hours passed and
no lover appeared, she could bear it
no longer. She left the room and
ran to the end OF the terrace, where
she could weep in solitude, but a
young cousin-a fine looking fellow
had followed her and said, gently:
You weep, Jane" Jane sobbed out:
ooh, think what an affront-how can
l face all these people!"
"Do you love him so much?"
mo, not so much now; but l was
happy in being married; all my
schoolmates at the convent are mar
ried already
Jacques smiled. Never mind"
said he, well find another husband
for YOU"
you think that so easy? Papa was
long time selecting JEAN"
But suppose . knew Of another;
Ell, little cousin?"
Jane answered joyously: "Ah, then
should quickly give Jean his dis
missal but oh dear, when I think
that all the arrangements are made,
that tomorrow the wedding guests
will be here-I feel as If I should die
with shame, | wish l could"
Foolish girl, there is no need for
that; tomorrow you shall be bride;
there will be no excuses to make to
the guests; the b idegroom of whom
speak will ask nothing better than
to marry you at once, for he loves
you; he has loved you for years, but
did not dare to tell his love, because
he believed that you loved the other,
and If you marry him tomorrow, he
will be the happiest Of men, Strug-
Cling with emotion, he ceased for a
moment, then said, softly:
little cousin"
Jacques"
"Well?"
well, I do not regret this JEAN I
will not give him another thought
Bring your friend here
Jacques took her hand. Have you
not OWNED that it is I who love, who
adore you, who has loved you for
years; know l am not sentimental
fellow like the other, but my heart is
yours alone"
Jane thought for a moment, then
said, quietly: Jacques, believe it is
you | have loved, after all, without
knowing it, for as you spoke just now
my heart beat with joy. But come,
let us go to papa-the notary is here;
there is nothing to do but change the
name in the contract and tomorrow
we will be married We will leave d.
rectly after the wedding-breakfast,
and when the other comes, he will
find me gone"
They laughed together like chill
dren, and ran to explain matters to
her father, who was not quite so
ready to accept the situation. =
Why, you stupid fellow, did you
never speak before?"
Because Jane was rich and l
poor"
But now"
Now |, too, am rich. A distant
relative has left me all his fortune of
two hundred thousand francs. which
enables me to ask-th hand of Jane
without being regarded as a fortune
hunter"
The father speedily became recon-
ciled to the change Of brdegrooms,
saying "All is prepared; the priest
will be here tomorrow, and the mar
riage will take place after all-and
when the other comes, how furious ne
will be; But he will be as he is al
ways-too late"
The happy couple had just driven
away from the house next morning,
when note was brought to the old