Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-01-21

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"For you, Mamie she said. putin
| Il down on the plate Of young girl VIII
sat near her and who opened her priz
to ind prophetic line which sh
quickly concealed, the light in her eye
seeming to indicate that II was Of an &C
,eptable nature. But then Mrs. Lace.
was too amiable hostess TO draw on
from airy ball Of fate prophecy other
wise than cheerful.
So interested did the company become
IN what the mysterious ball might brini
iorth that they ceased to follow the for
tunes or misfortunes Of Mrs Lacey
sentimental youth and maiden.
Here's a compass for you. Tom
Dame Fortune knows that you need
one"
"She is fully aware how far you fall
In your duty TO me and tries to supple
ment my environment to the extent Of
her power. am deeply grateful"
1T Is a comfort to me to know that
there is some influence which will call
ont the exercise OF that virtue. l was
rot aware that you were capable OF 1t
In any circumstances"
II have always said that your lack Of
perspicuity prevented your having the
iligatest understanding Of the many ex-
,eiienccs OF my character"
The silver cord slowly unwound a
rich harvest Of gifts and then glitter
ing length unbroken by prophesy or
keepeaae. .
I'VE have all been served except Hal"
said Tom. How has he offended Fate
that he should be unblessed" X
'The end is not yet. 1t may be that
the last served will be the best remem-
bered.'
"On the same principle that he who
laughs last laughs best?"
\ "But Hal declines TO laugh. Though
tempt him never SO wisely he sits like
his grandsire carved In granite or
something equally uncompromising."
Hal has been engaged in more Sc
rious business than laughing or maxi
ing laughter You cannot expect him
TO be amused by the trivialities which
divert your inferior mind"
IF defending the flag against assaults
In summer islands makes man so glum
there are more important moral than
political disadvantages In buying up job
lots of vagrant soil"
II am only waiting with intense ex-
citement for my fate" demonstrated
Hal. "You were not so frisky, either,
until you found out that Fortune had
not great evil treasuring up to throw at
you."
"Ah, here It is" said Mrs. Lacey, with
a shrek of delight Il know 1t is worth
waiting for. Nothing bad could be shut
up In so pretty box"
Hal opened his treasure and took a
peep at what It contained-a tiny gold
ing with pearl like drop OF dew ly- |
ng in o lily-shaped setting. He thought
he happiest moment Of his life had
been when he put that ring on Kittie's
lender white finger. She had given II
pack to him when the quarrel came, but
ie had begged her to keep II and some
lime when she might feel the old love
'eturn to send 1t to him as q token Of
forgiveness.
''But shall never send II back" she
lad said.
Still he had tried to hope that some
lime she would have need Of him and
hat she might send him the mute invi-
alton to come back to her. Now II had i
ONE to him on the cord Of fate. |
He put the little box into his pocket
nth an air Of carelessness and fixed his
yes attentiveiy upon Mrs. Lacey. who |
ras proceeding with her story with re-
Iewed interest and enthusiasm. But
lal was not thinking of the story. He
Id not care about the youth In the
horny wilderness, remembering how
n he had wandered In the wilderness
q the three years that had passed since
Q had last sat at Mrs. Lacey'B hospita-
10 table and listened TO Halloween
arms. He could not recollect that he
I'D ever known how that fatal quarrel
id arisen. He only knew that oil the
lars went out and he was alone among
be thorns. s /,
The company was again GbsorNed in
he fate Of the unfortunate lovers In the
and Hal chose convenient
,oment to slip out unobserved He
ished aside the heavy curtain whore
10 chief deity Of the Halloween rere-
ionlal had entered and passed out into
wide corridor, down which he walked I
II he came to q closed door. He was I
bout to knock, thinking that possibly |
Is fate lay within, when cry, low but
lrilled with terror. came from behind
le door. He opened II hastily and en- I
,red dim room. Opposite the door
as q fireplace before which was the
Iack-robed figure trying to beat back
,e flames that had caught the folds Of ,
or dress and were mounting to her c
Ice. He sprang forward, catching a
eavy cover from a table In the center
the floor, and IN moment had }
lrown Il around her and crusheL out q
a. l.. IA 81 4