Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-03-02
ALeERNOH AND BELINDA.
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They felt sure of this, but they found
It extremely difficult to make the old
man in the case understand the inter
esting fact. She was the only daugh-
ter of the old >man who acted the
stony-hearted parent, and the youth
on whom she lavished her whole at
lection, alas. was only an underpaid
clerk in the old mans Wall Street Of
fee.
Algernon-his name was not a bit
like Algernon, but let it go at that
-Algernon was bright promising
young fellow, and he had been a well
come guest at the old millionaire's
house until one day he had almost
made the old man throw a tit by de.
claring his love for Belinda. Belinda
was not exactly the maiden's name,
but never mind.
Belinda's infatuation was fully as
great as that of Algernon, and she
had also pleaded that she never could,
would or should hove another. All in
vain. She had talked about two
souls with but a single Thought and
her relentless father had replied,
Scarcely that much, it seems
He had other views for his only
daughter, and Algernon was sternly
forbidden to see or even communicate
with the gentle Belinda again. on pain
of instant dismissal from tine office,
while the love sick maiden was shut
up in the family residence, closely
guarded, and aid the mail ait both Of
flee and residence was personally su-
pervised and examined by the mil.
lionaire himself.
LIN spite of all these precautions,
the lovers found some mysterious
means to communicate with one an.
other. The old man was sure OF this,
but when he stormed and demanded
am explanation Of how Algernon knew
the most minute detail of Belinda s
home life, when he bullied Belinda to
tell him how on earth she learned
every little happening to .Algernon at
the Office, even to the particulars oil
his private conversation, the pair
would only smile happily, and say,
"She, OF he, is my affinity, my alter
ego and no power ON earth can make
rs live apart"
"Bosh" replied the stony-hearted
one, but still he was purplexed, for
in spite of keeping a sterner espion-
age over the pair, their revelations Of
the absolute knowledge of each 9th
| er's movements and affairs became
holder and more marvellous every day
Not contented with this. they dared
THE old man to put their mutual hyp
motto control TO The Test.
Tonight. sir. When you arrive al
home" said AlgernOn, Belinda viii
meet you in the hall and with a kind
Nv smile of welcome, She will take
your INIT and cane and escort you tc
the library. When The dinner is over
she will take red rose from vast
on the table and pin it in your but
tonhole after which she will go tc
the piano and sing one verse OF ION
Promise Me-. Should You ask her fol
a second verse. she will sadly reply
4 cannot sing that song, for an
not permitted to keep my promises.
Those will be her exact words. TheI
she will retire TO her room.
"You will be SO mad that in the
morning you will threaten her witt
banishment to Europe, but she viii
| tell you that space eannot separat,
afRnities and offer TO proSe the glor
ious fact to You"
'9Bosh!" again calculated the mil
Ionaire; but when everything happen
ed precisely as his undcrpaid clerl
had predicted. he felt uneasy anf
passed most unpleasant night,
In the morning he did NOT threater
his dainty daughter with banishmen'
to Europe. and he chuckted as hi
Thought that Algernon was wrong foi
once. but a. the obedient Belinda
handed him his ha, and cane he iok
ingly asked her how ii was She never
more asked for news of Agernon.
at is not necessary, papa, said the
maiden with downcast eyes. We ara
Arfnities. You know. and ever present
each with the other"
"Bosh!' again exclaimed the iratt
Old man. He was coming to . point
when he knew of nothing elise to say,
SO strange were the circumstan ces
surrounding him. II suppose you
knox what he would do if ! should
lire him from the Office and ruin all
bis prospects in life? continued the
furious old man.
81 know you would not be so cruel,
saia the little maiden. Indeed, |
know that today you will consent TO
my seeing him again, for win prove
10 Won thai we are together in soul al
ready. Iis,ent See If ! am right!
"Soon after you have entered yedr
private office today, continued Belin-
IA, in tragic tones and with a fara-
Iv,v lnnk like one Decring into the fU.