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

linked WIN ulS tndt ohC "oo A"o' 49,
ally effaced? He had never asked nim-
self this question before. 1t was time
It was asked. How supremely selfsn
he had been! He had never recognized
the fact until now. He passed his hand
YEARLY over his forehead He wasn't
we'll He had the blues. He needed q
strong bracer. He went to the side
board and poured out half tumbler-
full Of whiskey in the little glass. he
picked it up. Then he pushed 1t back.
II seemed cowardly. Why should he
be afraid Of his thoughts? He re-
membered, too, how reproachfully she
always looked at him when he drank.
| He knew II was a temptation that ne
ought to avoid. And yet her reproach-
full glances never stopped him. He
would laugh at her and drink In splr-
1t Of bravado.
He went back to the big chair In the
library What COMPOUNDED disagree
able companions a mans thoughts
WERE They came unlimited and they
didn't have the grace to leave wher
they found they were not welcome
Did Nellie ever sit and think? She had
plenty of time for 1t. Much more time
than he had. Did she look back? do
did she regret? !,
A great many people had a dmired
| Nellie. All the men who knew OF mis-
domestic affairs considered him very
lucky man. He took their compli-
ments as a matter Of course. He felt
complacently that this was compli-
mentary to his good taste and his ad-
mirable home discipline. Fool!
There was one man in particular, MS
friend. who he had reason to believe
had loved Nellie and would have made
her his wife. He was fine fellow, q
popular man, and he was worth good
deal Of money. He would have made
| life easier, perhaps happier, for her.
He contrasted himself with this man.
Was there any possible balance In his
favor? And yet Nellie had preferred
him. Was 1t love or was 1t plque?
Did the occasional sight of this old ad-
mirer ever arouse regret?
He got up slowly and looked at tho
clock He had been doing and dream
ing for he knew not how long. 1t was
past midnight. He would go to PED.
She certainly wasn't coming home. BE-
sides, she had her key.
He turned off the gas and went up
the stairs slowly and YEARLY He felt
old When he reached their room, he
did not light the gas. He knew that
almost every object in the apartment
would remind him Of her.
When he was in bed, he stretched his
arm slowly and tenderly across the
vacant place beside him and fell asleep
He awoke with subtle odor in his
nostrils, faint, yet pungent-a delicious
odor. He sat up quickly. 1t was broad
daylight, with the sun pouring through
the window, over which he had forgot.
ten to draw the shade. He looked
about No, Nellie hadn't come home
John, John, you lazy boy It's
o'clock and the coffee is getting cold.
Was that her voice or was he dream
Ing? Can you dream the odor OF cot.
fee? He dressed in wild hurry and
then added the finishing touches mort
slowly.
She was at the foot Of the stairs, he
face beaming, her eyes sparkling.
Hello, Johnnie" she cried.
Hello" he answered and stoope'
| to meet her kiss.
miss me?"
Yes, little"
"That's right. Where did you &c
| your dinner"
+ Dinner"
"You great goose, I don't believe yo
t had any! Did you miss me as much a
A that? But you'll enjoy your break
fast all the more. OF course you go
v my note?"
a John started slightly.
. "Of course"
. "Why what's this by the book
d case?
- Here's the note now. A pun OF win
!, must have blown 1t from the tabl
~ where you dropped It, There, there
sit down. You'll find your butterf
y wife hasn't forgotten how to COO
r. How's the coffee"
a First class" answered John, with
% great gulp.
=, = THANK you, dear. You see, Nab
i, y sent for me in such a hurry just he
N time to scribble that note and jump
10 the carriage. And, oh, John, they
got the sweetest little girl baby the
! YOU ever saw! And, John, do "
X, know, Mabel wouldn't let me out
re her sight for moment; Just chung
r. me and didn't want anybody else
s. come near her; kept me holding tig
lie to her hand for hours and hours.
m touched me deeply, John. ! new
1t dreamed Mabel cared so much for mi
He looked up. Her bright eyes we
le- full of tears.
"a Can you blame herr" he askt
Tor with a lame attempt at joculari
re. Then he added Been up all night?'
" Yes" she answered. Il could
ng get away until Mabel fell asleep. l
ow | hope don't show my late hours
,ut you do, John. You look quite blear
ing As he went down the street to
'ou car a little later he felt quite as ble'
ma as he looked. He had passed hi
nst night, and he hadn't the marvellous
ONT Operative powers Of his wife. He
has irritable and angry at himself
ut "Confound that puff Of wind
NO. said-Cleveiand Plain Dealer.
md -----
hat The old, Old Story.
What's that?
Oh, yes; Of course
he It's my last summers hat
cen Why an 7 wearing Il,