Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-08-02

OiiS W. AOu VIC no aue3 now
tie chat bNghtens one up after 1
heavy day; and criticism IL alwsW
beneficial" she replied gratefully.
Vincent Rayburn, you're an aass
remarked that individual as he luD
bered upstairs to his own quarteA
For four days, Miss Gdbbon had besu
absent in town on business.
The evening Miss Gibbon was q
pected to return to Seabourne, RaN
burn sat moodily before his fire in ~
twilight MISUNDERSTANDING Dlck
hs usual, was absent, but he seemed
neither to notice nor care. He heard
Miss Gibbon arrive, pass his door o.
the way to her room, and afterwards
descend to the evening meal.
II never dreamed it would come n
this" he solloquized. And whAl
would clever little woman like she 4
have to do with lazy useless chaY
such as am? No; won't risk i'll
won't insult her. III Gear out In III
morning"
Presently he rose from his chaEs
with a sigh, removed his boots nd
poked around fruiklessly for his clip
pers. Then he suddenly recollected
he had left them downstairs In ~
front passage.
He passed from his room "a
stealthily descended the stairA N
the bottom he halted, a. he csueAt
the sound Of Miss Gibbons voics e.
dressing some one In the front pafloS
the door Of which was . couple q
inches ajar-inunquestio sndsss.
ing terms Rayburn was mot ~
rule, inclined TO discriminate esvce
dropping, but on this occaslou + mus
be confessed he became furious ~ u
the identity Of her visitor.
Cautiously he made his way towards
the door and peered through the nars
row aperture. His view, however,
commanded only the gimcrack chineu'
Ter at one end Of the room; but W
cheap, wavy mirror backing tAAs
piece OF furniture reflected q scens
THAT affo.ded . momentary relief 10
his mixed feelings. 1t depicted Mn
Gibbon lying back in her chair, toast
Ing her feet before the fire, and On
her. basldng In the delight Of ~
cheerful blaze and an occasional ~
ress, lay the truant Dick.
80 you're the lucky beggar, sad
That's you're little gameis it2" thought
Vincent. But
"Dlck, you darling doggle," Mn
Gibbon began again SOFTLY m afrad
lawfully afraid--you don't love your
master as he deserves, Dick. II n
knew you came here 30 often, whaA
would he think OF me, eh?"
Rayburn grasped the moulding VI
the door-frame tightly and set -
teeth. Then, lowering her voice 70 .
dreamy Groom:
"Dick, II | had master Nike you
have. Td-no. I'd never, never lesvs
him! lle left your punishment in my
hands, doggie, but I can't hurt you
because--because you belong To him
And If you hadn't stolen my poor per
fridge might, perhaps, never have
AT this moment the handle of the
Kitchen door ratified with perilous Ags
nficance. There was only one course
open for Rayburn to pursue. I h
ITS all up with me nowl" be
gasped. lie dropped theh etadon shirt
gasped. He accordingly swiftly push.
ed open the door I'm front Of him, en-.
tered the room, and then quietly closed
mingled fear and surprise.
live come for Dick" he blu |
forth at last, advancing towards her
uncertainty. miss Gibbon.-Nora-I
i didn't think had a chance Tin
overheard what you said to the dog
] couldn't help listenfng-indeed I
couldn't! sny.-say you forgive me, at
rate!" he added, passionately, slezing
her hand you're fond Of Dick, and
have weaned him from me. Is there
any hope for his master?'
He dropped the little unresisting
hand, and held out his expectantly.
He had not long to wait for his ans
wer. W
"Yes,' she said, huskily, with atear.
full, happy smile, moving towards h.
"I'll throw in my lot with Dick, III
may"