Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-02-01
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
, AN ACTORS CHRISTMAS STORY.

1t was not very cheerful Christmas
eve for the Avenue Theater Comedy
Company, because it was to be passed
on board a train and every moment
meant an increased distance from the
loved ones behind. And yet, It was
only few who had run over" to New
York during the last week Of the Phil
adelphia engagement. Several be-
cause OF lack of magnets to draw them,
Others because of satisfaction with ex-
listing surroundings, and some because
Of preferring to put the cost to more
practical use.
II was with rather mixed feelings
that the seventeen members Of the
company assembled at the Broad street
station this Sunday afternoon to board
the 2:l5 train for Cincinnati. Nearly
all who were to be blessed with gifts
or remembrances Of any description
had received ther before the depart
ure. The comLany's ''old woman" re-
called each Of the others In turn with
wonderful descriptions Of the many
beautiful gifts which were in her trunk
The low comedian" was proud nigh
unto distraction by the newly acquired
possession of SITS solid silver match
safe. In fact each and every one had
practical proof Of somebody's thought
fulness, to brighten the day. The
most ambitious giver of ALL though,
was the second Juvenile lady" As no
one had as yet proved that she he'd
ever helped her mother with the dish
es, she was accepted at her own valua-
ton, and was the society actress" OF
the organization. No well-regulated
company is complete without the sus-
tanning influence of its society act
ress.' But as this one was handicap
ped by the possession of the name
Mary Junkins, nearly everything else
was forgotten. Mary showed that she
did not consider herself hopelessly
above her fellows by presenting in per-
son to each member of the company a
charming photograph Of herself, with
an appropriate inscription thereon
After this ceremony, every one set
tied down to wait for the dinner hour.
Total darkness approached shortly af-
ter 5 o'clock, After dinner, which was
made quite jolly because Of the evident
desire of everyone to be as happy as
possible, they returned, to hold vari-
Gus impromptu receptions There was
one in the party who gave and received
many CHEEKY smiles, and words of con-
graduation and good luck-Philip
Brown the leading man. He was a
man who had made steady progress In
his chosen profession, and to-day, at
the age of 49, he was regarded as q
most attractive and valuable acquisi-
ton to any company with which he
was associated. But his ambition was
far beyond his accomplishments. He |
craved to be successful writer of plays. |
Hitherto he had lacked the great es-
sential to concentration. On
this Christmas eve new resolve, with
added power, came to him. For the |
third time, after carefully looking
about to see that he was unobserved, |
he drew a letter from his pocket and
eagerly scanned the lines, until he
came to the sentence. Il love you,
dear, and believe in you and your
ability. Won't you make our Xmas
day bright and happy one by giving
me your promise to work and accom-
plish what you are able to? II you
only will your happiness and-yes,
dear, our happine2s-will be assured.
As he finished the sentence he kissed
the letter fervently, and whispered:
Yes! will little girl" Then he
shaded his eyes to look out into the
night, to see the white fakes rush i'm
petu0usly against the window, but, find
ing no welcome there, wither and die.
After few moments of reflection,
Brown opened his watch and gazed
longingly and low gly at face which
was hidden between the covers. He
was startled by a voice beside him, say
ing
i've been looking. Nobody else saw
you; won't you, as he started to close
the cover, won't you please let me see
herr"
With a satisfied smile he again
opened the case and for the first time
eyes other than his own gazed upon the
face before him. After looking intent.
ly for several seconds, the girl said,
"She has a very sweet face; very
sweet face" Then a pair of big brown
eyes were raised to his as the question,
DO you love her very, very much?'
was asked.
1t was an embarrassing moment for
him, but he answered 1t bravely and
honestly; Eyes; love her with my
whole heart" The figure beside him
glided swiftly away, while two big
tears rolled unmolested down two vary
pretty cheeks. S. N the girl retur; I'd {
and, nesting up closely to him, she
took his hands in hers and said. Now {
tell me all about her. Are you going 0
to marry her?'
well! that's very abrupt ques-
tion," he replied and 1t is one that I 0
am sorry to say can't answer {
Cant you? Oh I'm so glad"
Glad Why are you glad?"
Once more the big eyes looked
straight into his as she answered.
Because you would be taken away
from me and love you just as much q
rs she does
Brown was startled for moment,
hen he lifted her onto his knee and,
holding her close his heart az he
kissed her forehead, said 1'm glad
you do, little girl. And love you, b
co." \
yes" with a sob and a sigh; "but 0