Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-08-14
ONLY. A GIRL.

She's only Z girl, Gerald; come
brace up; surely you are not losing
your heart to her." and, 30 saying, thu
speaker, Charles Gordon. urged bill
friend homewaId.
Strangely contrasted were these two;
one dark and handsome, the Other
manly and fair.
The latter, Charles Gordon, the only
con Of q wealthy banker, was spend
the summer at Hotel Rose In M,
and, at his earnest request, Gerald
Austin, an orphan and heir to large
fortune. had come to help him pass
away the time.
At the opening Of our story they
were walking together along the gar.
den path that led to the hotel where
they were staying. Charlie aglow with
excitement, Gerald deep In thought
That evening there was to be grand
ball given In honor Of q certain Miss
Howard, the daughter Of q multi-nil'
lionalre, to which they had both been
invited, and Charlie, In bis eagerness
to see the new debutante, had sought
to arouse his friend from the rsverie
into which he had fallen.
'T'm afraid I've already done It."
was Gerald's only reply to bis friends
entreaty to brace up" and, relapsIng
into his quiet mood, together they en-.
tered the hotel.
That evening they both received an
Introduction to Miss Howard She was
rather tall with light curly hair, laugh
ing blue eyes, and charm Of manner
that was evident to all.
Charlie Mt once directed his gaze to
his friend, for well he knew what a
dangerous rival he had In Gerald Aus
tin. He found that face as handsome
and impasslve as ever, but there was
q far away look In those dark eyes
that plainly stated bis thoughts
Where is Gerald? Why Is he so In.
attentive tonlghtl All! Eva Howard,
with all her charms, with all her mil
lions, could not shut out from him tho
face that haunted him day and night.
Twice, and twice only, had he gazed
on that countenance, but It had left Its
imprint on his heart. Twice, and twice
only; once at picnic given by the
proprietor Of the hotel, and once ah!
how his thoughts ran back to the pre-
vlous evening when, on returning from
the postoface, he had picked up q
dainty white handkerchief, and on
looking around for the owner he saw
walking before him, at a slow pace, a
slight but graceful figure. He quick
ened his steps, and on coming up to the
object Of his attention quietly said: |
"Pardon me, but did you not drop thIsl
picked 1t up down the road
She turned quickly and Gerald fell
back, startled by the rare beauty pic
tured In the face that confronted him.
She took the kerchlef thanked him In
a low, sweet voice, and started on
ward, when Gerald, stirred by a sud.
den impulse, begged to be allowed to
see her home.
For moment only she gazed at
him and then, as II fully convinced
that she could trust him, accepted his
proffered arm, and Together they con-
tlnued the journey homeward.
From her own lips he learned that
she was Margaret Knowlton and was
spending the summer with her aunt
In the little white cottage at the bend
Of the road, which Gerald In his rap
ture did not see lying before them.
Eyes of the deepest azure gazed into
his as she thanked him for his kind
ness, while Gerald enchanted. drank
In the exquisite loneliness of her coun-
tenancc.
On leaving her at the gate he ex-
pressed desire to meet her again,
and, bidding her good night" went
away, leaving his heart behind him.
Next morning while walking he con-
fded his secret to Charles, who I'M
known to Gerald, had already met
Miss Knowlton and, instead of re-
ceiying the consolation he sought,
Charlie had put him off, saying: "She's
only a girl, Gerald Just passed 49,"
and urged his friend to forget her.
The ball had no charm for Gerald,
and Miss Howard, after valnly en-
deavoring to draw his attention, had
contented herself with Mr.. Gordon.
who was already victim Of Cupid.
Charles was greatly irritated at his
friends behavior, though at the same
time he was secretly glad that at least
ne would not have him for a rival,
knowing that II Gerald chose to dis
play his charms be Charlie would .
have to take the background.
Those magnificent eyes were enough
to enllghten any heart, and many were |
the maidens that longed for a smile
from that beautifully curved mouth; !
but for them Gerald cared naught. /
"Only a girl" as his friend had told !
him, but Margarget Knowlton, be she
girl or woman, had captured Gerald !
Austin's heart. f ,
-Four months have now passed and
Gerald has met Miss Knowlton again ,
and again. 1t is a calm August even ,
ing, and he has determined to learn !
his fate.
r Together they stroll In the twilight.
The moon peeplng from behind the {
bill sheds Its soft, mellow light upon
them, while the rogulsh stars twinkle
with merriment as they eagerly listen