Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-05-09

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; GENTLE AANlE.' 2
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BY R. MURRAY GlLCHRlST.
Mrs Rushfields, the widow who was
engaged at holiday times to sing and to
torture the pianoforte at the Bold
Cluudesley,' was still young and not
uncomely, despite the hardships conse-
Quent upon keeping In food and cloth
ing five little ones, whose ages ranged
from seven to four-the two smallest
being twins. For the last three visits
she had brought the eldest--a preco-
cious girl, known to the narrow world
Of Peakland as Gentle Annie"
This infant prodigy, Standing on the
top OF good Mrs Fearnehough the hos
tess's worn Collard and Colard, was
wont to pipe in voice shrill and pit
eous, the song known as "Gl9r Gus
Beer" aud also a broad parody Of the
pathetic "Oh, father dear father, come
home"
Her real name was Sophia; she was
called Gentle Annie because the fav-
orite song in her mothers repertory
bore the same name. Whilst the lady
performed the midget sat on a greel
three-legged stool, her placid eyes up
turned to the ceiling and her little
hands clasped in her lap. y
She was not pretty; indeed her face
bore the resemblance to the face of an
owl; but there was something vastly
touching in the appeal her express on
always conveyed. The majority Of Mi :
ton folk, however, whilst regarding her
as lusus naturae, viewed her with sus-
picion; for she greatly resented any
petting; and more than once when TIE
widow had been disposed to make a
dramatic exhibition Of affection, the
child had almost peeylshly refused to
fiutter into the welcoming arms.
Considerable surprise was evnced by
the spinsters and matrons of Milton
when 1t was known that Jason Gregory
vell-to-do farmer, whose land stretch
ed alongside the moor was minded to
pay attentions to the musical widow.
Twenty years ago he had los his wife
and only child in an epidemic that had
deciminated the valley; and since then
he had won the repnte Of woman
hater. He was elderly and portly, with
grim, gray-bearded face that was sell
dom lighted with a smile; and although
his waist girth was excessive for one
who worked hard with his men, he held
himself straight as dart.
His position as an honorable and
warm" man exacted considerable re-
spect, and the gossips with one acc I'd
declared that he was letting himself
down" Mrs. Rushflelds, however, WHO
was still young enough for coquetry
played shyness to perfection--demnr-
ring whether she ought to accept hls
gifts Of clumsy, but good jewelry, and
making friends with several notable
housekecpers by entreating their ad.
vice.
One thing was certainly in Jason's |
favor, and that was the marked predi- J
lection for his company that Gentle
Annie always showed No sooner had =
he entered the inn parlor than the poor
little wretch (who refused to notice any i
other NAM would rise from her stool,
and climbing to his knees, sit, with her
face hidden between the lappet Of his
coat and vest, and utterly Ignoring her
duties as part mistress Of the evenings
entertainment, fall into heavy sleep.
His gnarled hand used to play with
her thin, hay-colored curls, and when
she woke he called her his "owd oom-
an" or his "poppet." Occasionally, In
spite Of his protestatlons, she slipped
small packets OF shag tobacco into his
pocket-tobacco purchased with the
very few gift pennies which her mother
left In her possession. Jason was half
angry at first; but that great chest con-
tained a heart soft as a woman's, and
he never found courage to protest.
Once, after visit to the fair at the
market town, he brought her mouth
organ, and toy piano. Gentle Annie"
thanked him with a pretty affectatlon
OF heartiness and to please him Uust
then they were alone in the parlor),
played vigorously on both instruments.
He was very soon aware Of great tears
down the sunken cheeks, and
the lips pressed to the organ trembed
in a long sigh.
"Tm sick Of music" she whlmper d.
II wouldn't be sorry II | never hear1
another bit! I'D llefer have a doll,
and I'D call her Sophia. I'm called
Sophia
That night, when all his household
was asleep, Jason. who had tossed rest
essly in his bed for an hour or more
-ose and went to another chamber on
he same foor--a chamber in which
none had slept since his wife and chi d
had lain there In their last rest And
1t the foot Of the bed he unlocked and
opened great dover chest. and care.
'ully removed one bundle after another
Until be came to something long and
itiff, and heavy 1t was wrapped In
'Ilyer PAPER, er.ss-crossed with string: