Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-19
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THE PLAID ULSTER

each other that II was regular LOnoon
weather and the Anglo-maniacs hug.
ged themselves with joy to think how
near the real thing the fog was.
But Katherine Travers, on Inc eve OF
her departure for foreign tour, was
more than disguised with the weather.
Its perfectly beastly!' she declared
to her brother, who accompanied her
to bid her bon voyage. 81 have not
been in New York for two years and
can see nothing when do get here.
fully intended to call on Gertrude
Ford, but this horrid fog obstructs
street travel so that the caDman might
lose the way and make me too late
for the vessel. So | II have to give
Gertrude up, and | just long to see
her. Think of being in the same town
with the girl who was your most in
innate friend at school for two years
and then not laying eyes on her!'
Katherine Travers," said her
brother" severely, you act
katherine Travers!" echoed mu-
steal, girlish voice in establishment,
lis II possible that ! am in reach OF
my long lost friend?"
In an instant Katherine and Ger
trude Ford, the very girl she had been
speaking of, were in each others
arms, chatting as volubly as il they
were still schoolgirls.
'Tm just on my way to the steamer
to sail for merry old England" said
Katherine, presently.
For England" exclaimed her
friend, excitedly. ION what ship?"
| Katherine told her and Gertrude
clapped her hands in delight. Brother
/ Bob is to sail on your ship, Katherine.
Isn't that too delightful? Bob" she
called, "come here at once and meet
Katherine Travers, who is to be your
tellow-passenger.'
Out of the fog there advanced
! tall figure in long plaid ulster. A
soft hat was pulled down over his
eyes and Katherine could only see a
well-trained mustache, when the fog
came around them thicker than ever
and she failed to get good look at
the features of Bob Ford. The plaid
ulster, however, being rather loud in
design, had impressed itself upon her
memory and she told herself she
would know Gertrude's brother by hit
ulster when she met him on shlpboard,
After a hurried good-by the Fords
and Travers separated and in course
of time the vessel carrying Katherine
and Bob among its many passengers
sailed.
For four days Katherine kept her
stateroom, but her attack of sea sick
! ness was not severe and when she APP
peared on deck the morning of the
fifth day she was n very attractive
sight In her natty sailor suit. Almost
the first thing she saw was the plaid
ulster.
"Ah, there's Gerirude's brother"
she said to herself. "l'l not be lonely
any more. wonder why he doesn't
come up?" The young gentleman,
however, continued to gaze straight
ahead of him. ale doesn't see me-"
|bhe thought, "llut'what's the use OF
being shy with Bob Ford. whom | al
ready know as well as il had been
With him for ages Gertrude never
tired of singing his praises. I'll SIM
ply go up and speak to him"
Acting on this pulse she went di'
rectly up to gentleman and
greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning. she said, brightly.
The gentleman bowed u little stiftly
then u smile crept around the corners
of his mouth as he returned her
greeting. They exchanged few com
monplaces about the voyage when
| Katherine said frankly;
"You don't know how glad am that
you are on board for I've heard so
much about you that feel as II
knew YOU And you are just what I
| fancied you would be-" She did not
notice that his eyebrows went up
in amused surprise, but kept or
talking.
"Are you going to be in London
long," she asked.
swell, yes, for the season, OF
course" he answered. Conversation
languished until katherine said laugh
ingly: "lm afraid I won't like the
English Do you know heard a
funny thing-that Englishmen made
their wives black their boots for them.
Just fancy You wouldn't find an
American girl who would do it, would
your
Her companion broke into laugh
at her words.
"Well really, can't say; you know,
for as II happens ] know very
little"
An exclamation of establishment
from Katherine interrupted him, and
following her gaze, he saw young
fellow, much like himself in build and
wearing plaid ulster, the mate to
the one he himself wore. The new
conner hestated u moment, then came
forward so Katherine, casting per-
picked look at her companion, who
appeared to be his own double.
Miss Travers, think. he asked,
inquiringly.
Katherine turned from one to the
other in confusion, For the life of her
she could not tell which man she had
met in the fog in New York city. Ths
ulster was no longer distinguishing
mark, nor was the close-trimmed mus
tacbe, for both men laid claims to
both these articles. Yet. unmistaka-
bly, she knew but one of them and II
| thu last pnmpr Vos Hnh Ford WIN