Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-01-09
lO.DAY's 1--we S1(RY.
On the Doorstep.

On the Doorstep.
Miss Campbell was from Philadel-
phia, and she did not approve Of sit
ting on front doorsteps. Even on no
August evenings when every sensible
person on the avenue was in the open
air, she sat In her stuffy little bedroom
or In the boarding house parlor.
One day she read that extreme heat
had driven fashionable London to its
doorsteps, that doorstep parties" we're
the thing. That evening, driven by a
longing for fresh air, Miss Campbell
decided to DO English. 1t was q good
time for her venture, for she was the
only one at home. Most Of the board.
ers had gone to the park. She had the
doorstep to herself. The dusk hid all
With o thrill Of self-congratulatiOn
Margaret Campbell realized that no one
would know she bad departed from her
principles.
II suppose an old.fashioned," she
thought. John used to say so when l
was twenty, and ten years Of lonely
life have hardly improved me-"
A man came slowly up the street. He
stopped at the foot Of the steps, and
then sat down not far from Margaret
do you mind my smoking" he
asked.
Miss Campbell started; the voice
seemed curiou,ly familiar. mot at ALL"
she replied little more ssiiiiy; ut
will keep away the mosquitoes. Then
she felt herself blushing at the remark,
for there were no mosquitoes. Ten
years ago, one happy, never-to-be-for-
gotten summer, she had been often
asked that question, and had made the
same rejoinder.
The man did not look at her while
he lighted his cigar. There was long
silence, broken by the newcomer.
Rather cooler" said he.
"Yes," answered Margaret, more puz-
zled by the voice. She must hear him
speak again. 1t was not right that a
stranger should make her tremble so.
Were you ever at Long Branch"
she asked abruptly.
The man turned toward her. Her
heart beat almost audibly.
Margaret, Is 1t you? he cried.
Eyes, john" she answered, with
strange self-possession. She noted this,
and marvelled. How came you here?'
II came up the wrong steps," John
answered slowly. II am glad. since
they have brought me to you"
III you are glad, why didn't you come
before? have wanted you SO"
II didn't know whore you were," fal-
terd John.
Then the other was a mistaken"
"All q mistake, dear, and l have
come back to you"
He had risen, but now he sat down
and took her hand. Margaret let him
have it gladly. Margaret Did not ask
for explanations, and John did not give
them. Yet they fek that they under
stood each other.
There was q loud burst Of laughter.
why, here's Miss Campbell" cried
the lively girl-FMiss Campbell, who
never sits on doorsteps"
Gone back on your principles, Miss
CampbellI" asked an incorrigible tease.
Margart stood up dazed. Eyes, the
heat drove me out, and I am glad 1t
did, Mr.. Young, for an old friend founu
me quite by accident. Allow me to in
troduce him. john" She looked
around, but he was not there.
you were all alpne, Miss Camp
BELL" volunteered Mr.. Young Fast
asleep and dreaming, declare"
Miss Campbell pulled herself together
nobly. so | was" said she. Good
night, everybody" and she went into
the house.
Poor Miss Campbell" whispered
one girl, II think she was dreaming Of
her lover
Nonsense, Jennie; that's all your
fancy"
"She is pretty" said Jennie; "she
must have had lovers. And she isn't
3ld-why shouldn't she have one now?"
Miss Campbell looked from her dark
window. She wanted to gaze on the
spot whore John had been. She saw
Jennie and Tom acting Loves Young
Dream"
God grant them happier awaken
ing than mine," she murmured as she
crept to bed.