Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-07-06

her right out, but to lead mp to TIN
question cautiously.
"You do seem to be real comfort
ably situated" she said at last. "Ant
you amt grown old Axe me. You
house is just az pretty as can be, and
well, guess you've done better thar
some that's married" She laughed .
little neryously. 1t wasn't as easy as
she expected. She wondered if tina,
was too abrupt beginning.
Penelope smiled placidly. "I'm
greatly favored she said, land
don't feel any reason for complaint
with my lot"
Mrs. Skinner went on with more
confidence. II guess you didn't make
any mistake that time you gave
Job Liscomb the mitten. They say
they're as poor as picry, and now he's
had to go and break his leg, and-well
they seem to be in a peck of trou.
Bile all the time
Mrs. Skinner waited a moment, bur.
there was silence.
No she went on, hastily, fearing
that Penelope would change the sub
Ject, mo, guess you knew what you
were about"
She waited till the pause was Just
the right length for the, effect she
wished to produce, then said, "But
I've always wondered how you hap.
pened not to have him."
u suppose there's good many
would like to know that" said Pene-
lope, calmly.
Mrs. Skinner had held her breath
ana looked at her friend with bright,
piercing eyes. but at this answer a
disappointed expression came over her
face. well, you cant deny twas
curious she said, with the slightest
trace of irritation in her voice. "There
he'd been going with you steady that
spring, and then all at once he stop
pea short and neither of you gave any
reason for it that | have ever heard
Of
No said Penelope "I'm sure |
never have"
A tinge of color famed up in Mrs.
Sklnner's face This was rather dis
appointing. She controlled her voice
with an effort, and went on patiently:
Ut was awful strange. My! | can re-
member just how you looked that
spring, You had a lavender delaine,
and it was terrible becoming, and
everybody said that You and Job were
the best looking couple in town. That
MT me, for that was the year Amos
and began to keep company. But
you were good looking that year" she
said generously, CHANGING at Pene-
'ope to see the effect of her words.
well, everybody was thunderstruck
when it came to an end so sudden,
and everybody guessed a different rea-
son. Some thought it was his mother
made the trouble, and some said YOU
hated smokin' so bad, but I always
thought it was her he married after
wards"
She paused and looked at Penelope,
trying to decide if she was going too
far.
You know he began to go with her
pretty soon after you got through
with him. Well, thought p'rhaps he
didn't know his own mind, and maybe
you'd seen him larkin' round her"
We'll, said Penelope, suddenly, do
you blame girl for being mad under
such circumstances"
Mrs, Skinner caught her breath. II
was coming out now.
so that was the reason?" she said.
her voice shrill with excitement, $50
that was the reason. You don't saw"
mo, don't say" said Penelope. |
There was mischevous CLEAN in her
eyes. II don't say so, and that wasn't
the reason. was just fooling YOU"
y
Mrs. Skinner knit very fast. and |
her mouth was closed like tran.
Penelope looked at her now and then. |
They say Jobs fat now she said
mildly, and bald, too"
Mrs. Skinner plucked up courage
Tor one more trial. s'Yes,' she said,
"he is. | knew he'd be bald; it ruvI
In the family. Say, Penelope" 81.
pleaded, 81 wish you'd tell me e..
reason you wouldn't marry him"
well, | WILL" said Penelope, relen,.
ing I'll tell You the real reason"
She paused, and Mrs. Skinner laid
down her knitting and leaned forward
eagerly
He never asked me-" Penelope said
impressively.
Mrs. Skinner looked blank for mo.
ment, then she rose TO her feet. "Jt's
awful late. Mirandy'll be expecting
me- She put on her things in haste,
then she said good by and went ont
Penelope stood in the door With an
amused smile on her lips, and watched
her visitor till she reached the rood
then she stepped out and ran lightly
after her. miss Skinner" she called
Mrs. Skinner paused and waited i'm.
patiently
you forgot to ask why he didn,
ssk me-" she said.
"Well?" said Mrs. Skinner.
There was q quiet dignity abou,