Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-11-17

|
When the elevator had left him fac
to face with M. Boswell's number, Bron
ton broke into harsh laughter at tn
thought of the bitter humiliation hang
ing over the head Of the unsuspecting
He knocked roughly and clear voic'
cried: ENTER"
A small room made merry by freight
dancing In bookcase doors.
A desk, and at the desk woman will
gold glasses and strong stopped shout
ders.
Are you M. Boswell" Bronton de-
manded DULY, for the drum was deafen-
ing him, Strong and sweet, strong and
sweet"
Certainly" The rising infection
suggested an enquiry as to whom he
might be. AS though at roll call Bron-
tons heart answered that 1t was pleas
ant In here after the chill and din out
side, that the fair sweet face and the
strong hand standing at pause-even the
deep chair by her desk seemed good to
him, He remembered that she had
called him dear many times and 1t
seemed very good. This woman with the
glad, gray eyes was his friend. And he
promised himself that after this when
things went wrong he would come here
and sit in this chair and look at the fire
and listen to the scratching of her pen
and all would be well with him. Then
the infection in her certainly" made it
self felt and he replied to it placidly.
II am the young. girl you have been
corresponding with"
Miss Boswell removed her glasses and
looked at him thoughtfully. Every
manly line In his well-marked face;
every tired one She spoke kindly:
Pardon me If the saying sounds
harsh, but when bearded man Of 30
odd announces himself as young girl,
he lays himself open to the charge of in
sanity or intoxication."
81 am neither drunk nor crazy" and he
sighed contentedy.
Nor young girl"
mo. Nothing but a man who" he
paused to drink in the deep peace of her
presence and she completed quietly, who
has seen wild day on the floor. May be
you will not mind resting bit while
finish this sketch before the color fades"
She pushed bell. "Only ten minutes"
Her voice trailed away, her shoulders
stopped again to her rapid writing. Not
too absorbed to call his attention to the
tray the maid placed on corner of her
desk. Coffee, oysters, hot rolls, cold
ham-Bronton had eaten nothing since
breakfast. But shouldn't eat your
salt"
She swung her pen crosswlse to shove
a cup toward him.
mo salt In the coffee. DSink 1t. You !
need it." And Bronton surrendered his |
tired soul to her soothing. 1t was good
to be here, and nothing else mattered.
Good to be here, watched over by those |
kind, gray eyes, ministered to by that
strong right hand. soothed by this sunny |
silence. This was the woman he ~
needed all his life and he had found fer.
The ten minutes ran into silent half
hour, and after he had finished his sup
per Bronton lay back in his chair rest
Ing as only tired man or tired horse
can rest, unconscious of the occasional
shrewd glances flashed upon him from
behind those gold glasses. A rustic OF
paper, a brisk well" broke the spell.
Bronton drew deep breath. 1T is all
light" he said, contentedly, I'm Lot
.ie."
She took off her glasses and looked at
lin. 81 beg your pardon?" The tone
made him sit up. He explained quickly.
Lottie, that you have been writing those
trong, sweet letters to. I'm Lottie G..
3ronton" He pulled out card.
The gray eyes went through him like
old steel.
Pardon me if the saying sound harsh, .
'ou are also scoundrel."
"Scoundrel? /! I-no, no. thought
ou were man"
"A year ago"
II know. But-but-oh, Lord, didn't
eed the distant drum. Invent on believ-
ng you to be a man"
"An uncommonly scaly one?"
ooh, no. Wait. Oh, l might as we'll
ell you the truth. thought you were
camp and meant to show you up"
"And you showed yourself up?" A
ECKER OF fun warmed her eyes. Bronton .
Iughed joyously and laid his hand on
er shoulder.
own up. Have you never doubted =
" girlhood?"
1T has occurred to me occasionally
lat II you were girl you were the :
raziest one ever created"
"Ah, had you, too, refused to heed the
lstant drum. Don't you think you are
bout as deep in the mud as ! am in the !,
Iire?"
mot at ALL"
"Then give me hand to help me out. :,
lease, Molly, I'm tired. Dog-tired," ;,
I know you are. So am l. Let's sit :,
own." =
pronton saf doun ratainin0 HAND .