Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-12-08

shootin' round here, told Dolph New.
come she were che prettiest piece OF
furniture he'd seen in many day. I
met Osborn and Mrs. Cottle up on the
road in his blackboard jes' now. and
she didn't seem to be so powerful
sorry yer weren't along. George. She
blushed clear to her hair when she seed
me. What! Now don't be takin' NO
offense whar none's meant. George
Well. hev II yer own way"
George Cottle, with an angry retort,
had called to his dog. started the hogs
and was striding of on the trail. leav'
ing Nelson staring after him.
He was angry with his neighbor for
what he had said, and repeated to him
self again and again that he would pay
no attention to such idle talk.
But where was she going with o.
born?" he asked himself. Again and
again he urged on the tired hogs. but
never had herd seemed to move SO
slowly. Cottle, despite his Efforts to
put aside the suspicious aroused by his
neighbor's gossip, was uneasy az he
neared the clearing on which stood the
cabin.
what a fool to worry this way
when I know Annals waiting for me
with supper in the cabin" he said. as
he came out Of the redwoods at the
clearing.
The last words choked him and .
chilling fear, a presentiment of evil,
seemed to grip him at the heart.
Instead of a smoking chimney and
cheerful hight cleaning from the win.
dow, as usual, the cabin was dark and
without sign Of life.
Forgetting the hogs he ran across
the clearing He struck match at the
cabin door and his heart chilled with
dread.
The door was latched on the outside.
He paused for half minute, afraid
to- lift the latch; then tore 1t open and
went in. The cabin was empty.
He lighted lamp and looked round.
The table was set for supper. but there
was only one plate, one cup. one knife
and fork.
my God, what has happened?" he
cried in agony, picking up from the
plate a piece of torn newspaper on the
margin Of which were scrubbed few
words. He stepped closer 10 the light
and read:
"Dear George have gone with Mr..
Osborn. l just couldn't stand 1t any
longer. was so lonely, and you don't
love me any more, 80 you won't care.
Forgive me II you can. ANNA.
Up. S.-Your supper is in the oven"
"Ill follow them, though 1t be 10000
miles, and kill them both" he cried.
starting for the door. Before he
crossed the threshold he turned back.
dropped into a chair and with the pitt
full little note spread between his
trembling fingers read his wife's mes
sage again and again.
His anger softened as he read. He
began to understand what was written
between the lines a. plainly as the
pencil scrawl itself.
Poor child, poor child" he NUT
tered. "She couldn't stand 1t any lon
ger She thought 4 didn't love her.
oh, II she could only know how do
really love her. Poor. misguided child.
I didn't understand her loneliness.
God forgive me-"
Rain began to pelt upon the roof and
faint gray square showed between
the black outlines of the window, but
George Cottle heard nothing, felt moth
ing. realized nothing but the bitter sor-
row and regret that were in his heart.
The light grew stronger, the rain
stopped and the sun came out warm
and bright. Cottle looked up from the
table.
christmas morning." he said, with
a catch in his throat. christmas
morning-how can l get through this
day."
Hark! Was that the sound Of buggy
wheels or was he mad? Voices. too!
He stepped to the door and flung 1t
open.
Outside we're his wife and Glenn o.
borne.
you, Anna, you have come back"
he cried, dazedly. The girl on the
doorstep looked white and care worn.
81 have come, of course. George" she
said. with a tremor In her voice.
Haven't you forgiven me? I'm 20
sorry. Don't you want Ye back?"
do you love him?" he'asked.
Love who? George, dear, what has
happened? Are you mad?"
"But you ran away, eloped. found
your note. l don't understand. why
are you here?"
Glenn Osborn came up in time to hear
the last words.
whats all this nonsense. CottleT"
he asked. MRS. Cottle and have been
to smithall's dance. We'd have been
back sooner, but the bridge is down
over the creek. That warm rain last