Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-07-28
"A COUPE
COMPLICATION

L MANIArEs

L NJMvTF rt.HNWL
N the tender dusk OF an evening Il
the early spring. Vivian Warn,
called informally upon her frtand, Mrs
Allen. They ohatted Tor I few mo
ments and then Vivian reststed a
urging to remain longer. pleading q
order Of menu cards 70 be delivered
to Mrs. Van Altern. who Lived on thu
other side Of the city.
When she came out into the soft
darkness she found che unstirred all
full Of q vapory mist 70 deadly te
! plumed millinery. She went back into
the house. which was n In q block
Of stone fronts, to telephone for q car
riage. Mrs. Allen regretted the alb
sence of her coachman, but Vivian was
accustomed to livery accommodations
Presently young Ned Allen came In
and brought the information that the
carriage was waiting at the door.
Vivian made a second exit. but when
she went out 10 the curb the driver
remained In his seat.
awful lot Of agony for q cabby,"
she thought. as she opened the door of
the coupe. II wonder II he thinks l
have a footman!"
"Drive to 1915 Fifty.fourth street."
she commanded.
He made no response. But held his
gaze strictly front" with the flxedness
Of a Tommy Atkins on parade.
stephens q Co. are getting too swell
for me-" she reflected. as she seated
herself and slammed the door. What
lovely appointments for a livery! !
hope they haven't increased their rates
along with their style" '
She leaned l~uxuriously back IN the
corner Of the coupe and dreamed Of the
time when the golden days of fame
should watt her from an artist In en-
bryo to a painter Of portraits. She was
called to reality by the hating of the
carriage. Surprising she had reached
her destination she opened the door
and discovered that she was in an en-
tirely different part of the city and
that the coupe had stopped in front Of
the Atheneum club.
II didn't suppose Stephens & Co.
ever made one coupe answer for two
calls" she reflected, as she closed the
door, "but I don't mind having a Ion
ger ride"
In a moment a mar came out Of the
club and stood where the light fell full
upon his handsome face. Vivian ut
tered a little exclamation Of dismay
and sank farther into her corner. A
year ago she had been engaged to Car
ton Leigh. They had first met at a
house party and afterwards she had
visited a friend who lived in his city.
There had been some sort Of a misun-
derstanding and he had declared that
she alone was entirely to blame and
must make the first advances toward
reconciliation. OF course no self-re
specting woman would do that. and
she had therefore returned the ring
that had once cleaned upon her third
and had devoted herself to stu
do life and many a backward glance
tinged with regret, but fortified by a
steadfast resolve to eve make any
overture. She had heard recently from
their mutual friend that he was to
make this city his home. but she did
not know that he had arrived.
She was seized with apprehension.
Was he going to get In this coupe?
She would not speak until he did. He
opened the door and started to get In.
She had turned her face away from
him, but she felt his start of surprise.
Thsn she heard him say, In his we'll
bred. modulated tones:
II beg your pardon!"
There! He had spoken first. and
with a little air Of triumph she faced
him, the light in front Of the club
full upon her face as It had
IN his q moment before.
you! vivian!' he said. In a voice
hat thrilled old memories aud feel
ngs. In an instant he was seated
beside her. the door had slammed shut
md they we're away.
"This is too good to be true" he
aid, joyfully.
AZ ordered a carriage from the nv-
she said, stifiy, "and they evil
iently thought It would answer for
vour order. too"