Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-09-19
FREDDIE'S CLIENT.

lDOInds, family bOilCiIOIb.
There was no doubt whatever tina
Dibbs was In a great hurry. He threw
his hat into the waste basket, tore Of
his coat, replacing 1t with an ink be
smeared garment that hung on an ad
jacent peg. vaulted on his stool, ant
dived into his desk, producing there
from a few documents. which he i'm
mediately began to peruse with grea
diligence.
The door opened again almost Al
once and Mr.. Frederick vane entered
He was the Junior partner and, In all
probability, the reason for the alacrit,
displayed by Dibbs, who was now toe
busy to notice him until he spoke.
Good morning, Dibbs," he said.
Dibbs started artistically and
jumped of his stool.
Good morning, SIR" he replied. q
beg your pardon; l didn't hear you
come in."
ANY one called" inquired Mr.
Vane
mo, SIR" answered Dibbs. INC
one"
All" pursued the junior partner.
What time did you get down to the
office this morning."
Dibbs, with an elaborate air Of pre-
caution against the smallest inaccur-
acy, stated that he arrived at 9:17.
Mr.. Vane, glancing critically at
the heaving chest Of Dibbs and the
perspiration which would trickle down
his nose, merely remarked Him." and
passed into bis private office.
When he had disappeared Dibbs
winked solemnly at the clock and
opined that 1T had been a jolly near
thing" After this he produced from
his coat greasy parcel and proceeded
to demolish the balance Of his break
fast.
On the other side Of the green baize
door Mr.. Fred Vane eagerly scanned
the handwriting on the envelopes Of
the letters addressed to him. The result
seemed to satisfy him, and, saying to
himself, mo letter from Daisy, Good;
she has evidently not found out my new
address," he opened and persued his
letters calmly and leisurely.
Freddie Vane was, In many respects,
q most fortunate young man. He was
good looking, cheerful aud popular
everywhere. He had no father living,
but rejoiced In an adoring mother and
sisters who believed in all he said or
sisters who believed in all he sail or
did; he possessed more than the aver
age ability and, above all. he had a
wealthy aunt who showed practical
interest In his future welfare.
She 1t was who promised to buy for
him junior partnership in we'll IS
tablished firm directly he was admit
ted solicitor. She added the proviso
that he must also have shown good be-
havior and be perfectly free from any
of those entanglements into which
young men have a sad EnacK Of get
ting themselves.
Unfortunately there had been an en-
tanglement. During the last year Of
his articles he had met and been ias-
cinated by Miss Daisy Royle-a young
lady who warbled sero-comic ditties in
the halls. The affection Was mutual
and Daisy had promised to wait ftr
him until he had passed his final exam
nation.
At last the examination was Success
fully achieved and Freddie went home
to receive congratulations and IN
nounce his engagement.
Aunt Martha was there, but Freddie
thought 1t desirable TO break the news
first to his mother. She could not have
been more dlsmayed II he had inform
ed her that he had committed murder.
She begged him not to urn his prospects
so recklessly. His Aunt Martha was
now completing negotiations tor a
partnership on his behalf, but If she
heard of any such suggestion sbe
would at once withdraw her patronage.
In the end her entr aaties prevailed.
Daisy was to be thown over, her let
tiers were to be returned unopened by
Mrs Vane. Aun. Maria was to knew
nothing, and Freddie was to escape to
Manchester as the junior partner OF
the firm Of Thomas, Evans Il Thomas,
family solicitors.
He had been established In the posi-
ton for about eight months and dur
ing that time had heard nothing what
ever from Daisy Royle. There were
times however, when he had misglv-
ings and just at present he was more
than usually apprehensive.
He had some cause for this feeling.
Daisy Royle was during this particular
week appearing nightly at the Man
chester theatre Of varieties and he was
afraid Of meeting her. OF course, Man
chester was a large city, he reflected,
but 1t seemed comparatively small
when II came to avoiding Daisy R0yle.
And as he sat and communed with him.
self in his Office, he began to feel mean.
shes a dear, good girl" he thought,
"and I'd marry her tomorrow II 1t
wasn't for Aunt Maria. Daisy won't
worry about me long. She mas pltrty
Of fellows to pick and choose from,
confound them. Well, suppose money
Is mighty and must prevail"
At this point In his nominations the
door Of the outer Office was opened and
Dlbbs, who by this time had exchanged
his breakfast for his lunch, was dis
turbed and confronted by a middle
aged lady Of excitable appearance. who
demanded t. know II Mr.. Thomas
Evans, the family solicitor, lived there.
This Is the Office of iiessrs. Thomas
Evans 4 Thomas, ma'am,' replied the
urbane Dibbs
"Then want to see Mr.. Thomas Ev-
ans at once, il you please, responded
the lady.
Dlbbs, without pausing to explain
!