Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-01-25

A FATAL DUPLIOITY.
BY Leon Mead.

river winds like streak Of silver light
low, rounded hills, purple in their owl
shadows; russell woods, marsh mead
ows, cows waiting at the pasture gates
wagons Rubbing homeward through
the lanes Such was the environment
OF Mr. Ramsay's residence, in from
OF which stood a long row Of naples
whose leaves were now touched will
the rich dyes Of autumn.
Here his father before him had lived
and here he had brought his younj
bride, who, after three happy years
mad died, leaving him an infant daugh
ter His maiden sister had kind,
taken care Of his child up to the day
she went away to India to teach In q
mission school, when Hope was old
enough to enter young ladies' semi.
nary.
Mr.. Ramsay travelled nearly all the
time during which his daughter was
receiving her education, having en-
trusted his business affairs to a lawyer.
Horrible to relate, on the day Hope
and her father were to meet at the old
homestead, after two years of separa-
tlon, an appalling accident occurred
on the railway ana Mr. Ramsay was
among the killed.
The news of her fathers death was
the first genuine shock of sorrow Hope
Ramsay ever had known. A great
change came over the once gay, reck-
less hoyden; bereavement transformed
her into demure, and at times brood
ing, creature. When her lawyer set
tied Mr.. Ramsay's estate, which had
greatly deprecated, the family resi-
dence was about the only unencum-
bered property he was able to save.
AS Hope possessed no immediate
relatives, she was invited to remain
with the family of NJ, Delafed, who
rented the farm, The latters only
child, a daughter, was nearly Hopes
age These two became close friends,
and derived much enjoyment from
each others society until Rodney
Ames came among them. This tall,
virile fellow, with jet black hair and
eyes, strangely maesetized Hopes
heart. Vashti De'areil manifested no
signs of like infatuation, except oc.
casionaly to tease Hope; but recur-
renee to the subject had the effect final
ly of focusing her affections and Miss
Delafeld was Obliged to confess to her.
self that she loved him, too.
Though widely differentiated In type,
both young women were equally hand
some. Hope was Is, with copper-hued
hair, large blue eyes, peachy complex
ion and matchless grace Of carriage.
Vashti, also IS, was tall and In man
ner somewhat naughty with flashing
black eyes, lustrous black hair, and a
dlmpled mouth, enchanting when she
smiled, bewitching in repose. Perhaps
Vashti might have been regarded az
rather prettier than Hope, had It not
been for the sullen glitter of her eyes
when she was not suited.
There were not many young people
In the neighborhood and Rodney Ames
was welcome visitor AT the Ramsay
homestead as many evenings in the
week as he chose to come. He had
taken both girls riding on several Oc-
casions, dividing his attentions between
them so impartally that never "nu-
ance" of his preference was. betrayed.
But latterly Hone had been out three
times in carriage with him, unac-
companied by Vashti in whose eyes
lurked a jealous restless CLEAN each
time she watched them drive away.
"Ie loves her better than me, but I
will win him yet, she would mutter.
"Heneeforth Hope Ramsay and are
rivals, and we shall see who will be
successful
When she returned one day Hope
had letter in her hand The smile
that trembed on Vashti's lips were
inspired by the information that Hope
had been invited by an old school chum
to visit her, and that she should take
her departure within two days.
Rodney Ames knew Hope had re-
ceved the invitation, but was surprised
when told that she had gone Vashtl,
however, was all smiles, and he spent
two hours by her side, laughing and
talking. As he rose to co. Vashti said.
"You must call often, Mr.. Ames.
shall be very lonely indeed without
dear Hope though suppose must do
without her soon for good and all.
What do you mean"
"You do not know, then, where she
has gone? Mr.. Kyle wrote her to
come to Rochester, and visit his peO-
pie They became engaged, | believe,
while she was at boarding school.
The wedding was postponed because OF
her fathers death, but they are to be
married some time next winter But
really you must have known something
about 1t. You do not mean to tell me
you never have noticed the ring she
wears on her third finger. Why, Rod
ney what Is the natter"
His face had suddenly grown ashen,
he was leaning heavily against the
mantel Pleading headache, he babe
her good afternoon and went away.
vashti was anything but happy, for
now she knew he loved her far more
than she had realized.
"If cannot win his love, | will win
him." she exclaimed Going to her
chamber, she wrote Hope letter, In
which 1t was exultantly stated that
not an hour before Rodney Ames had
asked her to become his wife. As she
folded the letter vashti calculated:
There! II she doesn't have hys-
.erics after reading this ! miss my
guess. She will not care to come back
here in such a hurry, and-perhaps
when she does come, 1t will be true.
Who knows"
Poor Hope was crushed by the cruel
tote.
ooh can n he that I must lose him