Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-07-18
A GUARDIANS CONSENT

The bustling housekeeper led thu
way about the rooms.
Its all kept neat and tidy for your
return, Miss Eleanor" she said mr.
Suncliffe's orders, miss. He said yot
might surprise us at any moment, anC
we must have everything in apple-pie
order"
at is very homelike," said the girl
and | thank you all for your thought
fulness."
Here Is your room. MISS" said the
housekeeper.
How sweet and dainty" cried the
girl. "And what lovely nowers!"
Fresh every morning miss, by Mr.
Suncliffe's orders"
"And where is Mr. Suncliffe's
ROOM" she asked.
He calls 1t his den. miss. It's in
the attic. Would you like to see it?'
The housekeeper led the way up the
attic stairs, and threw open a door. II
was the room of busy man. There
were books and maps, few etchings, a
desk. table and chairs. The table
was strewn with loose papers, the
desk was banked with them in pack
ages. AS Eleanor stopped above these
papers she noticed that they all bore
the same name-Ainsworth Then as
She raised her head she saw her por-
trait, exquisitely framed, standing up
on the desk.
He is a great worker, Mr.. Suncliffe
is,' said the housekeeper. MANY a
night I've seen his light burning up
here until the sun was streaking the
east
Il should fancy" said the girl,
thoughtfully, that he has been taking
his own advice and is keeping every
thing in up-to-date readiness for my
return"
I've no doubt he is. MISS said the
housekeeper. simply.
The girl paused before the Uttered
desk.
Il would like to leave a note for Mr..
Suncliffe," she said. HE will be sure
to get 1t this EVENING""
YES" said the housekeeper. Hes
regular as clockwork."
The girl slipped into the chair and
picked up pen. She looked about for
a sheet Of paper. She half opened a
small drawer at one side OF the desk
and peeped into 1t. She started lit
tie and drew forth an unfolded bit Of
note Paper. Her name was on the
sheet. In fact. 1t was addressed to her.
She looked at the date 1t was a
month overdue. Slowly she read the
lines, her cheeks flushing holly as she
proceeded. Then q smile lowered
about her lips as she carefully folded
the paper and put 1t In her purse.
u have changed my mind" she
called to the housekeeper. II will not
leave a note for Mr.. Suncliffe. | will
call on him instead"
Half an hour after a carriage drew
up before the Offices Of the Richard
Answorth Co., and Eleanor allghted.
She stepped into the outer Office. A
dozen clerks looked up at her in mani
fest admiration.
"Mr. Suncliffe Is in his room" said
the attendant at the door, "Will you
send In your card?"
NO" replied the girl. II prefer to
surprise him." She swept by the at
tendant and entered the apartment.
John Suncliffe was bending over his
desk, absorbed in his correspondence.
Eleanor's quick glance took note Of his
appearance. He had changed little
since she saw him In Paris two years
before. The lines on his face seemed
deeper and there was suspicion of
gray in his hair. He was only thirty
five, Eleanor remembered. He was
growing old In her service.
John" she said, with a little trem-
or in her voice. aren't you glad to sec
me?"
Was he glad? He looked up with a
quick start, pushed his chair back and
came toward her with outstretched
hand.
why, Eleanor-Mlss Ainsworth!"
he cried, and grasped her hand with
fingers that trembled. His face bright
ened; he looked ten years younger. II