Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-03-27
A LESSON IN SENTIMENT.


Of the many steam-heated, electric
lighted, eight rooms and bath apart
ment houses, as modern as themselves.
Edwina her name was; known as
"E0' to her large circle Of acQuaint-
inces She was tall and fair, striking
" handsome, with an alert, telling
manner that bespoke practical sense.
His Christian name was William
and a vast circle, indeed, called him
"Bill' in every information from college
chumship to "Bowery" Freemasonry.
He, too, was tall and blond; but,
though decision spoke in his massive
head and chin, his manner was sua-
lty itself. Consequently his one criti-
cism of his wife was, "PoOr Ed has
so little tact"
The tactless one was standing at the
window of the all-modern- convenience
ed fiat looking over the not unpleas-
ont prospect Of roofs and sky with dis
contented eyes.
"COnfound it" she said to her
spouse; there l have bully chance to
got a footing on the DOdd Magazine,
but what they ask me to do Is way out
Of my line. They say they like my
style and all, and my stories of life on
a tug, but they want a love story, and
they thought I could do it. OF course |
jollied them along and promised them
1000 words In as many days
"Well.' drawled William, from his
easy chair by the gilt radiator, cant
you do the job?'
II haven't an idea-not one. I've
been raking my brains out trying to
find something. and | can't Loves
overdone there's no new stuff in it
and if can't get anything new, why, |
must lay on the style-and there you
are. ! do the rough and tumble, snap
py sort of thing, and what I'll have to
give them Is too long and tender!'
"Well, try IT,
"Try 1t yourself. Now, you know,
Billy, never was sentimental"
Eyes, l know it's a fault of yours
your ought to have sentiment; it's a
great attraction"
20, is it?"
Eyes, 1t is, it's charming sensation
to feel ones self rolled and EMBODIED
in lots Of nice, warm sentlment-its a
great pleasure"
"And, pray, may l ask when you ex.
perienced this delightful sensation?"
certainly, my dear" Bill arose and
lit his pipe. ut was-some time ago
She was a pretty little blond; and
well-she did that sort Of thing de.
lightfully-the sentiment, you know"
"Mean it?"
20, mercy, yes-bad case"
"Did you respond?
after fashion"
GLOW after a fashion,"
20, she did the falling in love and
following up and ALL let her-it was
not my place to say, Go to, little one
tempt me not"
"Of course"
"Well, she really did mean 1t, poor
little soul; and must confess 1t was
pleasant for while. But, dear me,
that sort of thing couldn't 60 on for
ever. I was afraid her husband would
get on to it-and she was so much In
love there was no getting her to plan
anything quietly and sanely. She kept
calling me up on the telephone and
begging me to see her. 1t got to be q
bore, besides being dangerous And
then she expected so much Of me. I
must swear loved her every three
minutes and write every day, and
never speak 10 any other woman. 1t
was her jealousy that really made the
split between us. You see, l met you
about that time
Eyes, dear" Ed crossed the room
and rumpled Bits hair affectionately.
"You met me-a year ago last Decem-
ber-so this affair Is more than quite
recent"
20, yes, It's modern enough"
"What was she like?'
Small, and rather frall looking. Big,
gray eyes and light halr-it was beau
tiful hair-fell way down below her
knees. Nice complexion, too-a trife
too pale generally; but when she was
excited It used to shine pink, like
moist sea she'll"
"Heavens, Billy! you're getting
poetic"
swell, she was beauty-really
quite beauty. She lacked strength OF
character; her forte was delicacy and
sentiment. Would you care to see her
picture? have one somewhere in my
trunk"
In the adjoining room the newly ar
rived trunks and boxes were piled
high. A few moments search, and he
reappeared with square tin lock box.
This he carried back to the sitting
room. placed 1t upon the table, and
opened it.
"Therew he said, withdrawing q
photograph. What do you think Of
herr"
His wife took the picture to the
window and examined It closely. Ger.
tainly a stunning head" she comment