Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-07-26

ed lightly, and without waiting for /
response, walked into the little par
Tor, where she knew Mrs. Dare was in
the habit Of sitting.
But at the threshold Monica paused,
for there stood Laurence by the wins
dow with an open letter in his hand
His aunt sat near him, apparently in
a state of great excitement.
AS she saw Monica she cried out:
He lives, Monica, he lives; my boy
lives; my own Allen is living. Come
in and hear the letter"
Then she fell to weeping, repeating
over and over: my boy is living"
Monica looked from her to Dare in
bewilderment. She had turned very
white. Laurence went up to her and
drew her to chair. He, too ,waa
pale.
rs it true" gasped Monica at length.
"Yes;' but he did not look at her.
"When?"
II received the letter this morning,
and came down by the first train"
HE is wellY"
"Yes."
"Where is he-I don't understand"
I'm California"
Monica looked at him confusedly.
"Why-why havn't but have
been out all afternoon. l suppose that
l shall find letter at home.
Dare did not reply. His aunt was
still crying. She now looked up al
Laurence.
"Finish the letter, Laurence. Lis.
ten, Monica; our Allen is still living.F
Dare had folded the letter and was
putting it into his pocket.
"There is little more OF Importance,
dear aunt
"But Monica must hear it, Lauren.
ce. Monica, child, we'll be happy
now. Read the letter for her, Lau.
renee"
my dear aunt, you must try to
calm yourself for you will be ILL.,"
Monica was puzzled by Dare's evi.
dent desire not to read the letter to
her. She went over to Mrs. Dare and
embraced her.
Laurence is right; you must try to
be calm, dear Mrs. Dare"
Joy never kills, child. l must cry
for pure happiness
II shall go home now" said Moni
CO. "Perhaps thereis letter for me-
"Well, child, but come early tomor'
row. Well count the days now til
we see my boy"
Laurence had left the room and
stood at the entrance door.
II am coming with you,' he said a.
Monica came out.
Dare regarded the girl stealthily
as they walked along. lie marveled
at the unimpassioned manner In
which she had received the news OF
Aliens being alive. She was still yer.
white, and there was a strained lock
in her face. Not the expression Of
JOY he would have expected to see.
She walked rapidly, paying no heed
TO Dare.
"Do not walk so fast, Monica. You
will tire yourself out"
She did not reply. but went more
slowly.
Monica began Dare hesitatingly,
lido not think that you will find O
letter from Allen
She stopped still and looked at him.
"What is it Laurence? You are hid,
ing something, What is the mystery?
Why do you not wish to read the let.
,er?'
"Monica, | believe you are brave
girl Call up all your pride now
She gaAed at him with wondering
eyes.
Laurence, what is it?'
He looked around hastily. 1t wac
but a short distance to the rocks at
he cove and the place was deserted.
"Let us go down there. | cannot
ak to You here" .-.-
She ioIloWcd him submissiyelv
Dare seated her IN n sheltered po-
ition and stood looliing at her,
world of compassion in his eyes.
Monica, would give my life tc
pare you this. Allen is a scoundrel.'
He drew the letter from his pocket
opening ii slowly.
what is II, Laurence? Why do you
peak SOP
Then, as he did not answer, sho
aid with u touch Of imperousness in
er voice;
"Let me read It,"
lie gave it to her, and she read. She
assed hastily over the preliminary
mes. But what was this?
~ shall wait later, Laurence, old
oy, to give the details Of all these
ears. Briefly, the enterprise on
'hich came out here failed. kept
n trying others hoping to achieve
ONE measure Of success before re.
lrning home, but one failure sue.
eeded another. Finally was taken
! with rheumatic fever. The woman
/ whose house was staying nursed
re through it, and her daughter, one
I the sweetest girls in the state help.
l her. Call me all the hard names
on wish, Laurence, I'll not try to
reuse myself, but ! fell in love with
err and we were married. ] was a
'ward, | know, but she loved me to
straction, and we are very happy.
elieve me, have not been easy,
hen I thought Of my mother and ,
onica. But | met Melton as he was
,ssing through to San Francisco.