Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-03-21

admirable one. As to her family, H
. great deal better than ours, and
every bit q good - the Carl'A Sh1h
IN orphan, certainly, 30 am l."
You mustn't do It, Percy"
Ny sister, the date 10 fixed. A.
may point out that first met Maaso
at this house! The Earl was wonder
fully taken with her"
Men are hopeless!"
"They would be more 80 without
women"
The Countess Of Marchmere real.
lied that she was making no impress.
sion whatever upon her brother, and
10 altered her tactics.
What do you want me to do?" she
asked.
Dol" he repeated.
Yes, do. Since you were good
enough to inform me Of your inten-
tiOns imagine you had some reason
for doing II"
1T was only natural that I should
consult with YOU"
&c insult! it's too late for consulta.
ton! And shouldn't have thought
1t in the least unnatural-in you'll
you'd married first and told me after.
wards"
II did think Of It," Percy confessed.
But then it would only have delayed
one painful interview and led to an.
other and much worse one"
you seem to think me kind Of
paragon"
mot at all, little sister. But I
knew you had certain prejudices Of Z
somewhat-may say, violent charac-
teri"
Percy, no woman alive has fewer
prejudices than |.
Even supposing that to be true, ]
see no reason to alter what | said"
Has Madge Maynard prejudicesr
She's full Of them"
"Yet you excuse them in herr"
81 like her the better for them"
After a pause he added. Just a. ]
like you the better for yours"
The Countess shifted.
What do you want me to do?" ihe
asked again.
Nothing, except to congratulate
me on at last having made up ny
mind to do something"
III 1t had been something wise
and respectable"
81 maintain that its both"
We'll well. Do you mind
going away now, and giving me tins
to think"
Mr.. Tremoyle departed and the
f0Otman who opened the door for him
observed that his face wore a Singh
larry c0mplacent smile.
The Earl Of Marchmere and bib
brOther-in-law lunched together that
day, not at home, but In a quiet cor
ner Of a club whose front windows
lool,ed out on Picadilly.
How did you find Betty?" asked
the Earl, chuckllng. "She was in .
devil Of temper when | left, as l told
You. That letter Of yours spollt her
breakfast"
my talk with her has given me -
appetite"
WAS II amusing?" ~
ut amused mel" ~
"Yonre cool hand, Tremoyle."
She's a horrid little snOb."
"Yes' the Earl admitted "but she's
a pleasant little soul, really, and
medus we'll VIII she do IT."
do you suppose was fool enough
to ask herr
"Well, no; but You laid the train.
my dear Marchmere, | laid II 70
well that you're in for an explosion"
I'm used to explosions. On the
whole, | rather like them"
But there was no explosion after
all, for the Countess, knowing moth
Ing the conspiracy, felt It necessary
to prepare the Earl by particular OK.
hibitions Of tenderness for what she
had decided to do. It was precisely
what they had schemed for, and whom
she said that Madge Maynard being
alone In the world, was an object Of
extreme sollctude, and the Earl had
better give her awnv. that discreet
peer promptly agreed. lnere WIS no
doubt that when once the Countess Of
Marchmere accepted the inevitable,
she accepted 1t cordially, and a.
though It were her dearest friend.
People said she was an amazingly
clever woman to manage the affair az
she did; 1t was well for her self-es-
TEEN that she did not see how diplo-
IN N ttnoJI, aha hod haon tpo nund