Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-05-15
PLAYING THE GAME.

Eyes. 1t was geniuA I'll tell you
about It.
Laura was staying here, She was.
MT by way Of being actually engaged,
you know. One Of those unsatisfac-
tory sort Of half-and half things. He's
a nice boy-quite a nice boy; but be
had gay little way. like the Tomtt,
you know.
Laura was here some time. They
wrote to each other; more often than
not, as Tom would say. Then for q
few days she looked 'mopy,' and was,
for her, quite cross. She came to me,
and by degrees began long rigma-
role. He was this, and he was that;
he was writing horrid, short letters; Of
course she didn't c2re-it wasn't that!
only he wasn't 10 think he could be-
have as he chose. He was staying in
Q house full Of people: be had himself
said there were some nice girls there,
and-thls was the apex Of the whole
matter-he was going next week TO an
other house, to which her twin sister
had been asked, and not she.
"'Your twin sisters pretty, isn't
she?
81 don't know snappily. We
we're supposed to be exactly alike.
only she wears fringe, and has dark
er eyebrows. Yes. She Is pretty
''!hen came a sudden burst Of con
fdence.
"Dear Mrs. Merriman Tm-Tm
afraid he'll think she's prettier than I
ami
"'But surely he has seen her be-
forey
"'No-that's just It. He hasn't. She's
been abroad great deal. I never met
him till this summer, you know
"'Stop" I said authorltatively II
really couldn't bear any more conf.
dences-especlally secondhand onesD
Stop! have magnificent idea. Come
up to my room, and let me cut you q
fringe
"'What on earth do you mean?" said
Laura blankly.
"What say. Come up at once
She came, and I cut II.
at is a great improvement she
said, as she twisted up her hair. Y
shall write and tell him.
"'No you WON'T said. You little
blind idiot! Don't you understand
Now, tell mellow much would It take
to keep Norah away from the Cham
brelaynes?
"Laura's jaw dropped.
ITO keep away? O. couldn't do
that. lists not what the boys call
playing the game" Besides, 1t would
upset the Chamberlaynes' plans
"'How If you went instead of herr
"Laura's head went up.
THANK you! l have more pride
than to force myself she suddenly
stopped. She had caught sight Of her.
self In the glass. She laughed, picked
up a hand-glass, and turned SLOWLY
round.
"Could she be bribed with q hatr
said, with business-like aim a Par.
d hat?
I'll think London one would do
You see, George Marten will be at the
'ectory- She took a burnt match
md began darkening her eyebrows.
II struck while the iron was hot.
Write at once to Norah and settle ey.
said briskly. Go home a
lay OF two earlier Il shall be sorry to
ose you dear, but this is importantly;
'rrow a respectable amount of Nor.
his things, and appear at the Cham.
'erlaynes' as Miss N. Stafford"
1.-TWO days later.)
My Dearest Mrs. Merriman: I have
ONE and 80 has he. nearly tainted.
lie doesn't guess. He talked to me all
he evening about me-Laura. Twas
magnificent. No time or more. He
ever looks at the other girls. Yours
evutedly. Laura
Next day.
Dear Mrs Merriman: You will be
urprised to learn that leave here to-
borrow morning would have left
might only there is not train.
1t 10 oil over. He has been saying
UGH things. To think he ever could
ok at any one in exactly the same
az he used to look at me!
l wish l was dead.
I told him to-day I was going to tell
aura.
He said, 70, no, you won'tw
I hate him.
I wonder I kept up, but I did.
How could ever have liked him the
asst little bit?
I am feeling voy III. Yours,
L. Stafford.
Next morning.)
My Dearest Darling Mrs. Merriman:
Ill you believe 1t? It is all right. He
,ew all along. How could he? He
Id he knew when he heard me
eeze, AZ | did when arrived at that
'rrid, drafty station-i mean dear