Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-03-28


was the mayors motherless daughter.
One is apt to imagine that provincial
mayors are necessarily successful
tradesmen. This one was not. He
was . polished gentleman. and the
head Of q world-known engineering
arm. To be smiled upon and shyly
worshipped by an adorable girl is bad
enough when you have done some
thing to deserve it, but when you
have done nothing, and are in addi-
ton a contemplate fraud, it is too
embarrassing for words. However,
after glass or two of champagne, I
pulled myself together, and did my
best to be agreeable, though ever and
lgain | would halt in the middle of a
sentence, and look for the writing on
The wall
Indeed, judging by the running Tom
was making with vivacious lady In
black and magenta ribbons-a widow
| judged her-it seemed that he h ad
Indeed changed our identities. Tom
was quite loquacious. while was flt-
full and restrained. But managed to
get little of my own back when the
Mayor proposed my health in terms
which made me blush-for Tom-and
was also good enough to allude to
some small affair in which THAT Is,
myself, not Tom; OH this is most con-
tusing--had played part not wholly
lacking in distinction.
This gave me an opportunity Of say
Ing in my reply that felt that Tom
no, fought to have been in my
Tom's-no, my-we will not argue
this matter-place. A remark which
occasioned frantic applause, and
caused Tom to turn bright purple.
After luncheon there were more
crowds, more cheering, and more
speeches. the last delivered from the
balcony of our hotel, where we had
invited our hosts to tea. Feeling that
| might as well go the whole hog" |
booked four dances with Miss Mayor
ess II the four subsequently expand
ed into eight it was really nobody's
business but my own, and | quite en-
ioyed my undeserved glory. I-had
some words with Tom when at last We
were left alone, but he only jeered at
me, said had done splendidly, and
ended by asking how liked hero wor-
ship.
"Confound yOu!' said, angrily,
tits all your fault. Anyway, we'll be
out Of this first train tomorrow morn
Ing"
But we did not leave Westchester
with such despatch. Reflection con-
WINGED me that 1t would be a poor way
TO make full confession before leaving
the first opportunity and besides, |
felt that 1t would be a shame to drag
Tom away from his fascinating wild
ow. He was feebly sarcastic when l
explained this to him, and it is not
worth while repeating what he said.
The end of a week found us still
lingering In Westchester, and myself
at once the happiest and the most
miserable Of men. felt sure that
Enid returned my love, but how much
was for myself and how much for the
V. G. | could not determine. We
practically lived at Highfeld, the
Mayors place, but l would not stay
there, though we were warmly pressed
to do SO. 1t Is such a nuisance to have
your bag thrown after you when you
have been ANONYMOUSLY kicked ont
Of house, and that that would be my
fate sooner or later | felt sure. A
hundred times day | funked 1t when
1t came to the point. Tom was far
too busy with his own affairs to both
er about mine, and ! grew moody and
desperate.
At last. one morning, after we had
been dining at Highfeld. and Enid
had been more bewitching than ever,
| felt that | could stand it no longer,
and set of for the house, determined
to mack full confession before leaving
Westchester. q broken and despairihg
man. had informed Tom of my in
tention at breakfast-mine, | may
say, consisted Of brandy and soda
and the wretch had only laughed at
me when | told him that he had ruin
ed my life. was never SO near being
downright angry with him before.
l was halfway up the avenue when
l met Enid coming down. To my
mind . pretty girl never looks so
pretty as in furs on q frosty morning,
when the keen air has deepened the
carmine Of her cheeks and re sparkle
Of the snow crystals is reflected in her
eyes. Almost uncOnsciously led
her to q friendly seat, took her hand,
and foundered through my mingled
tale of love and humiliation.
"And you see, darling" concluded,
~ am not Tom Cason, v. c., but Jack
an upmitigated fraud, and not
worthy TO spea kto you.
81 knew that last night" she said,
regarding me gravely. though laugh
ter lurked in her eyes.
THE deuce you did" | cried. star
tied into forgetfulness Of the propri-
cites. who told your
"Jack-that is-Tom, | suppose ]
should say she replied.
And-and-and-?" queried,
breathlessly.
"And | think II was disgraceful Of
you to win poor girls heart under
false pretences
Then yOuv-
Perhaps | do. sir, but made up
my mind when | was little girl that
I would marry V. c., or no one at
ALL"
oh" said. lamely, my temporary
hopes dashed to the ground.
Enid looked at my forlorn face, then
burst out laughing and handed me an
envelope, saying; There, you silly
boy, read that
read II in dumb amazement. II