Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-04
MILE OF THE RIBBONS.


had had a pleasant home and the ex-
pectation that her lines would fall in
pleasant places. But bolt came out
Of the blue. Miles father died sud.
denly, and just at the wrong time,
not only for himself, but for his fam
lily. She faced the necessity for earn
ing her own living, and, leaving the
younger children and her mother to
depend upon the small income that
remained 10 them, she made a bold
entrance into Chicago-which cared
nothing about her boldness, but only
beloved at her like an angry bull. IL
Mile was frightened she did not
show it. She found an ugly little
room, made it as attractive as she
could, cooked her own coffee morn
lngs, coplented herself with Decent
luncheons, and INDUCED in a hearty
meal only at dinner time. For this
function-for such it was to Mlllle-
she made a careful toilet and entered
the dining room of the rather fash
lonable boarding house with the air OF
princess who was amusing herself
by an experience among the common
people. This was her one luNury-it
was in this fashion that she kept u
hold upon sociability. This gave her
cheer for her work and sustained her
yiyacity. 1t amounted in fact to a me-
cessity.
Now one of the greatest affections
that had come to her AT Il time when
Affections seemed to be pouring thick
and fast upon her was leaving the Vi
entity where Allen barrow lived. They
were not sweethearts; they had not
seen much of each other. But it had
been his presence that had made
party sem really festive TO her. 1t was
the last meeting with him casually on
the quiet streets of Two Rivers that
had caused her heart to leap. II was
he she thought of when she put on
new gown. Or, If she did anything un-
worthy of her best self, it was he she
thought of when She put ON new
gown, Or, if She had anything un-
worthy of her best self, it was he she
RENE bered, bushing at her own
base S. If she was generous or
courageous in any unusual way she
turned to thoughts of him with joy,
thinking that he would ne pleased ii
he knew.
She had not said goodby to him
when she left home She had not the
desire to burden him with the details
of her misfortune. How could he UNI
derstand, who had always lived an
easy, luxurious life. what responsible
ties she had been called upon to face?
How could he appreciate the sinking
OF the heart which she felt in leaving
the refined, easy IIe, the books, the
lazy hours at the piano, the charming
circle of friends, for the work ant
friendliness that Il poor girl must
know in Chicago!
She put her dreams brayely behind
her, therefore. and left Without word
of farewell.
She was rather glad when she found
that her work in the great dry goods
house, where the influence of friends
had secured her Il position, was to be
among the ribbons. She rioted in the
color about her. and, making up her
mind that anything that was worth
doing at all was worth doing well,
she not only studied TO be most as
sidious in her service TO those who
came to purchase, but She took the
greatest pride in arranging her stock
attractiyely. So original were the
fashions in which She set forth the
bolts of cleaning satin ribbons that it
was much noticed, \ grutf floor
walker ventnred to compliment her;
other girls at the ribbon counters
were proflse in their praise, And
Mile began to know the satisfaction
that copes from work well done,
though the task be insignificant. She
began to look at life from different
point of view and 10 loice that she
was among the Worly and that work
was pleasure 10 Ger In short, be-
ing a wholesome Young Woman, she
put regret behind her and rose to meet
the emergency with all the gaIlantry
in her nature.
One day she was putting her pa
thence to its full test with a trying
customer, who could not he suited,
and who would not 90 away, when a
young man and woman entered and
took chairs side by side and began
looking at white satin ribbon,
They want it for wedding, I'll
wager" thought MilIie to herself, look
ing behind the nodding pumes OF the
fretful customer TO where the two sat
and laughed together. II suppose they
mean ii to run up the aisles OF the
church. | wish tins tiresome old thing
would 90 and let me wait on them"
But the tiresome old thing would
not 60 She stayed on, asking for
things She did not want, and Mile,
with u poiieness which continually
grew more frigid, continued TO supply
her demands. But, meantime, she kept
CHANGING in the direction of the laugh
ing pair, and feasting her eyes on the
gay attire and the happy face of the
girl who sat partly facing her. Golden
hair and blue eyes, brilliant golf
cape, and a nonchaent little turban,
made up pleasing whole. Mile
hoped the young man was as good
looking, and made up her mind that
she would get glimpse of his face
before he left, Just then he turned,
and looked at her, and she perceived
with poignant blending Of pain and
delight, that it was Allen barrow,
She had no desire then TO wait upon
the pretty girl or her laughing com