Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-10-13
NY RIVAL.


The crisis was really acute. | hat
hoped much for that mornings post;
for no better reason, | admit, thar
that when | am most impecunious
am most credulous.
And it'll allude to the first deliv'
ery-had brought nothiag but two re-
jected MSS; foolishly facetious sug
gestion from a sanguine tailor thai
settlement might be arrived at by
means OF payment by installments
and reminder, rather curt than
courteous, from the manager Of the
bank that my account was over.
drawn.
spread the contents of my peck.
cts before me In the vain hope of find.
ing solace. But what solace is there
in a half-sovereign worn to amazing
thinness with the designations of Its
career, two forms, some coppers and
a four-shillng piece?
II for the next 4S hours | starved
I had just breakfasted sumptuously,
and therefore the idea could be enter
tained-how could manage that trip
to Edinburg next Thursday? And yet
that trip must be made. For Eugenia
would be at the Provost's ball. So
would Putson, an utterly worthless
creature, distinguished only for the
profitable soap boilery and his pas.
sion for private theatricals. Eugenia,
however, regarded him without dis
favor, and as for him, he was her
devoted admirer. So was |, for Eu-
genia had many charms and Two
Thousand year Of her own.
She had something else, though,
and that was a will Of her own. Vhis
had induced her to appoint the occa-
sion Of the Provost's ball for the de-
livery of her answer to the morVntu-
GUS question had put to her some
weeks before. She had pleaded for
delay at the time, saying that so Sc
rious matter demanded careful con-
sideration, and informing me at the
same time that l had a rival in Put.
son. Indeed, found that three days
earlier he had laid himself, boilery
and all, ait her feet. But while she
pleaded for delay she gave me such
gentle encouragement that l felt the
rivalry of Putson had in it no element
Of danger. And now could not pay
my fare to win my lady.
Suddenly happy thought occurred
to me. To 'go without my watch
chain would be too loud proclama-
tion of my poverty; but there was
that jeweled dagger which my father.
a distinguished romancer, had wrest-
ed in single combat from the last
Mahdi but one. No self-respectng
avuncular relative could offer me less
than ten pounds on that.
"I'll do 1t at once" said to myself.
land buy Eugenia's ring at the same
shop. Perhaps the beggar will then
offer to lend me little more"
OF course If Frogmore had been at
his office-I share chambers with
him-I should have borrowed from
him; but he had chosen this unfortu-
nate moment for falling victim to
infuenza-and two years previously
he had fallen a victim to a girl Of
exemplary character, the best of
housewives, but provident to the
point of stinginess. Application to
him, therefore, would, in the existing
circumstances, be frutless,
I took my case from my pocket and
was lighting cigarette, when there
came knock at the door.
Come in" | cried.
And in came my clerk, person OF
ripe experience and Is summers.
"Mr. Ellerslee to see you, sir" Then
as he noticed the look of Amusement
in my face, he went on: HE asked II
Mr.. Frogmore was in first sir, and
then said you would do"
"Show him in," ! said with the i'm
agined dignity Of barrister with a
large clientele. Perhaps I should
have explained before that was one
Of the great army Of barristers await
ing eases
A new hope sprang up in my heart
Was this Ellerslee, the West End SOL
icitor, whose clerks brought Frog
more most of his briefs? And was he
going to employ me in Frogmores
--------.
Mr.. Ellerslie came ina little dap
per man Of exceeding neatness with
carefully brushed iron gray hair and
trim side whiskers. He had sharp,
restless eyes, and chin curiously
thrust forward. He seated himself
wasked at the table and opened the
conversation in quick, jerky senten.
ces.
Morning! So Frogmore's down
with influenza still, Ell? Well, we
must see how you'll do in his place.
Ever had a case yet? But no, Of course
not. l must put you through your
PAGES. COMPOUNDED nuisance this
'flue.' Case comes on on Friday at
latest-'Ellis VS.. Leaver.' Heard any
thing about i'll"
"How could II" asked.
by reading your paper"
He opened the file of papers he had
In his hand, spread them before him,
and referred to them from time TO
time as he proceeded.
Ellis, the plaintiff, is the only
partner in the well known firm Of