Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-16
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MARJORIES SAILOR.
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that there is one heart beating in re-
Spouse to my deep love, and dear
face watching for my return. AS
heaven bears me witness, you shall
never have cause to regret it,
"Good-by, Herbert | shall pray for
your safety and speedy return. Take
care of yourself for with dropping
lids and an almost inaudible voice.
you are my life"
Herbert Lord drew the beautiful girl
| to him in closer embrace, and the
last moments of their parting, though
silent, were full of eloquence.
Marjorie had watched her handsome
lover as he mounted the hill. When
he reached the summit he turned, and
| she stretched cut both hands to him
in mute entreaty for his return; then
she summoned her courage and gayly
kissed her hand to him. He raised
his cap, returned her salute, and with
head still barred, disappeared from
view.
Marjorie leaned against the tree and
covered her face with her hands. She
felt a loneliness that she had never
before experienced. All unconscious
that their parting had been witnessed,
the young girl sat musing until she
was startled by hearing voice al
most in her ear:
"Whey these tears, Miss Marjorie
Surely no one has less cause for UNI
happiness than the beautiful Miss
Gardiner"
Marjorie turned and saw before her
Thomas Braeme. How she loathed
him at that moment! Yet, why? She
knew him to be immensely wealthy;
he was considered a great catch by
mammas with manageable daugh,
tiers; he was lionized by society; and
yet Marjorie involuntarily shrank
from his smooth tongue and persisted
attentions She had once refused his
offer of marriage, and this act on
her part had been the cause of many
bitter reproaches from her family.
When she heard his voice she drew
herself up, and, ignoring his out
stretched hand, replied: pardon me,
Mr.. Braeme, ! am not unhappy; and
If I were l fail to see how it could
possibly concern you"
His eyes flashed omniously, but he
controlled his anger and replied:
"Anything that affects you concerns
me, Marjorie. No; hear me. You
know that have loved you-that
still love you, and | now come for the
second time with your parents ap,
proval and good wishes for my sue
cess. Majorie, marry me and you
shall have everything that makes life
worth living. l will be good hus,
band to YOU"
Husband! At the thought of Thomas
Braeme as a husband her face grew
white and a shudder shook her frame
She answered, coldly:
"Mr. Braeme, can only answer you
as | did before, and l ask you to &C.
cept this as final. Your persistency in
this matter annoys me, and | beg OF
you to cease
She turned to 60, but he stopped
her.
"There is someone else-you cannot
deny i'll"
"Neither does that concern you,
she haughtily replied:
In his anger he cried: sand do you
imagine that do not know your lit
tie game? You have met Herbert
Lord against your parents wishes and
many of your clandestine meetings
have been witnessed, A common
sailor! Where is your sense of honor
that you stoop so low?"
Marjorie was thoroughly aroused by
this attack, and her reply, though ut
tered in anger, carried conviction,
81 will tell you. My idea of honor
lies in the fact that when man re-
spends to his country's call and il
worthy to wear its glorious uniform
poor man though he be, he has reach
ed degree of honor which rich
stay-at-home can never attain. lis
ten! Herbert Lord is poor, you are
rich; but one button on his coat Is
worth more to me than all your piles
of boosted gold. | respect him, and il
he lives to return ! shall marry him
Now, if you have one atom of the
honor for which you are looking in
Others you will never mention this
subject to me again."
Marjorie Gardiner turned and
walked away.
Every argument was used to induce
her to change her decision, but Mar.
jorie remained true to her promise
and when she was married a year
later it was quiet affair, as beftted
the BRIDES future station as the wife
of Herbert Lord.
After brief honeymoon they went
to reside in Derwent, where Robert
owned a cottage. AT the station they
were met by a smartly-liveried foot
man, who touched his hat respectfully
as Herbert Lord and his bride alight
ed.
Everything all right, Matthews?'
"All right, sir" with another touch
as he led the way to an elegant car
rage drawn by handsome bays. As
they rolled comfortably along, tired
after their journey, Herbert Lord
thought it time to prepare his bride
for the surprise in store for her; SO
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