Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-10-20
IN GREEN
FIELDS& s
BY BELLE MANDATES
Copyright, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Co..

Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub. Co..
1T IS a truism that the trend of life
| hangs on the turn Of step, but in this
case the fate of Elsie Clarke waited on
the turn of an automobile, which was
whirling around the curves of country
road at breakneck speed.
On the front seat were the owner OF
the automobile, Walter Earle, and his
wifez-a comfortably and contentedly
married couple who were doing all In
their power to bring about match be-
tween Elsie Clarke and Arthur Wynne,
the couple on the back seat, In fact,
all the friends of these two young peo-
pie had decided it was perfect match"
and were using all their endeavors to
further it.
There was no trouble as far as Wynne
was concerned. He was in love with the
fair young woman to the full extent OF
his placid, well-regulated nature, while
she was trying hard to reason herself
into reciprocity. She told herself over
and over that he possessed every quality
of eligibility. He was Of good form
and feature, well endowed with worldly
possessions; habits. moral manners and
disposition, excellent. After one OF
these mental enumerations of his re-
quisites, she would decide to accept him,
but the moment she was in his presence.
she felt antagonistic to the fate await
ing her. He clearly bored her, and she
s,illfully warded off his proposal. The
simple solution of the situation was that
she was not in love with him, and that
love never would respond to reasoning.
| She knew better than to advance this
argument to his supporters, for she In
tuitively felt they would consider love
an obsolete emotion. Finally she had
come to believe that, since she had met
so many men, and none had awakened
the grand passion, the fault must lie in
her, and that she was not capable of fall
| ing in love.
She felt that this day and ride was to
be the contamination Of the affair and
that it was purposely planned by the
Earles and Wynnes. They were now, at
the close of an early summer afternoon,
en- route to a country inn several miles
distant where they were to dine, after
which she knew the Earles would dis
creetly vanish for stroll on the lake
shore, leaving her alone with Wynne and
her fate. The coming ordeal oppressed
her. She felt her opposition oozing, and
feared she would yield to his quiet, we'll
modluated entreaties.
"Oh, If something-anything would
only happen!" she thought
Was the wish father to the thought?
Something did happen. A whirlpool Of
sand, the deadly foe of automobiles, at
tackled the wheels The road was narrow
Ia steep embankment on either side, a
brook below. Earle was an expert as
chauffeur, but no human power under
the conditions could have prevented the
quick swerve and the headlong pitch
over the embankment. :.
Elsie dimly felt that strong arms were
carrying her over road and green fields.
She vaguely wondered II It was Arthur
who was carrying. her thus. She opened
her eyes and looked into strange face
that was bending anxiously and tender
| ly over.
"John," she murmured with a faint
smile, as she contentedly sank back into
unconsciousness.
The accident had occurred near the
well-kept farm Of William Mofford. His
son. John Mofford, was walking down
the road toward the automobile when 1t
took the awful plunge. He rushed down
the bank expecting they were all killed.
The automobile had upset, providential-
" on the very edge OF the brook. Earle
was already helping his wife to arise,
and they had only sustained a few
bruises. wynne appeared to be all right,
unless his wrist was sprained. The doc
tors quick glance wandered from these
stunned, frightened people and fell upon
the motionless form Of the most beaud-
full girl he had ever seen. She had been
thrown some little distance. In q mo-
ment he had her in his arms and calling
to the others to follow, he started for the
house.
As he came up the old-fashioned gar
den in front of the farm house. and her
beautiful, long-lashed eyes looked
vaguely into bis, he had new. strange
sensation, and fierce Jealousy was born
within him towards John" whoever he
might be. Was II that pale-faeed fellow
who was following, hanging on to bis
Vristi
The Mofords and the farm hands had
all come to meet them. and his mother
instantly returned to ths house to make
ready the west bedroom.
ssRight IN here. John" she said. lead
INK the way 70 thsbig, cool room. he laid
Ne patient down on the white. blllovy
BED. and proceeded 70 learn the extent
Of her lniuriea
Is abe badly hurt. Johnf' asked Mn
NoRord, anxioualH -