Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-11-28


square house in Scotland. So one day
she disappeared, and James Gordon
was left alone with his Bible.
Meanwhile Ruth Gordon's name was
on everyone's lips in London. Her
beauty had brought her all she had
ever dreamed more than she could
ever have hoped. 1t was the last
night of the burlesque wherein she
made herself famous. The house was
crowded, and she excelled herself in
every song and dance. At the close
of the piece the stage was covered
with bouquets from admirers-from
men she knew and from men who
wished to be known to her.
Then, when the curtain had gone
down for the last time, she picked up
one or two of the offerings and went
off to the dressing room. One she held
in her hand had attracted her by Its
uncommon shape and condition. 1t
was a half-faded cross Of white lilies.
She threw It contemptuously on her
table, and pressed the other-the gilt
Of a young earl-to her lips.
"Who dared send me that shabby
thlng?" she said to her dresser, and
then picked 1t up, from sheer curiosity
to see the name Of the man who had
ventured to offer It, She dropped 1t,
and uttered a cry Of surprise and
pleasure, then picked II up again and
kissed 1t passionately. The label read:
ITO my daughter Come home. |
am angry no more" Truly It was the
happlest day of her llfe-a triumph
and reconciliation.
She left for Scotland that night.
How slowly the train crawled on
through the darkness! She could not
sleep, and she watched the lighted
towns 60 by one by one until the
dawn.
She drew near her home, and the
scenery became more familiar. Every
spot she passed was bright with men,
cries of childhood. The train slowed
down and stopped. She got out. left
her luggage at the station, and walked
towards her home.
In ten minutes she had reached the
house. II looked more cold and grey
than ever after the hrllliance of Lon
don. She hammered Mt the door
waited for n minute or two, and then
struck It again. Presently faint shut
fling footsteps sounded in the hall
the door opened slowly, and JEANNE
the old servant, confronted her. She
threw herself on the old woman's
neck and kissed her withered cheeks
"NIy father she cried, SIS he well
Oh, am so happy. Jeannie.' And SHE
tried to pass her. hut the old woman
stood in the way, the tears rolling
down her face.
The girl shivered in her rich sables
and stepped back.
"Jeannie. JEANNE, what Is it? Lee
me by" she cried, and pushing hel
aside, she rushed into the dark din
lng-room. where her father was won
to sit. The oaken chair was empty
hut the Bible lay on the table-open a
the book of Ruth. One passage wa
marked with a blue pencil. 1t was
the verse beginning: "Entreat me no
to leave thee" The blue penscil hat
dropped to the floor,
JEANNE had followed her into tn,
room with totterlng steps.
"Where Is my father. JEANNE. doe
he not expect me%
! "Come AVA. he is not here"
"Not herew
J "He Is not here. tell ye,' shrleket
the old woman. "Come AVA and
clutching hold Of the girl, she trie'
to drag her from the room.
Ruth shook off her feeble hold an,
turned upon her like tigress
"Whpre Is h? What have you don
to him" she cried.
The old woman moaned to herself
then crawled to the window. Their
was a distant view of the kirkyard o.
thu side of the purple hill. The SET
ting sun fell on the white stones an
they gllttered like stars. She pointe
her skinny finger in silence and the
croak ID "Yonder yonder. yonder."
The girl looked out. straning he
eyes to see the beloved form. Whe
the white stones flashed upon h.
sight the awful truth began to daw
upon her.
"Yonder." she muttered. almost III
consciously. Then she broke into
wild laugh. and flung hers If into
chair. She read the marked passag,
and laughed again, still more Wild,
$50 | killed him, JEANNE. kille
him. and he-how much did he pa
Won Iaannt, IN do this thinoe A