Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-12-14

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and bathing, and there were even now
a number enjoying the surf Just as
though 1t were not the day before
Christmas, and along the beach be
tween them and the hotel were a dozen
or more children, some playing In the
water and some in the sand.
Mrs. Bigelow Stevens paused, and
gazed at them with dimming eyes
She had lost her own little girl but Q
few months before, and for that rea-
son she was here; not to forget, but
to find new scenes to awaken her in
terest. Presently child Of five or six
separated from her companions. and
came racing up the beach In pursuit OF
a hat which was rolling merrily along
before a gust Of wind, Mrs Stevens
reached out her parasol and intercept
ed the runaway.
Thank you'll" gasped the little girl,
out of breath, but looking up with a
roguish smile on her bright face. Il
shall whip 1t when ! get home" Then,
instead of returning to her compan-
ions, she grasped a finger of her new
friend. May | walk with your she
asked, beginning to- swing along as
though the permission was granted.
She was silent for some minutes, her
lips tremulous with recollections Of the
past, and during that time the little
girl made excursions from her finger
to investigate escaping crabs and GU
rious shells, and even the last efforts
Of waves that sent long lines Of shallow
water curving up toward their feet. AT
length Mrs. Stevens lips grew hrmer
and she looked down.
Il suppose your mother is here"
she said.
The child in her turn became grave.
Il haven't any mamma" she an
swered; land my papa doesn't walk
with me like he used to-" She hest
tated little. and then went on, with
childish frankness: "He-he talks
loud to me sometimes, and his face
gets red, and-and he strikes me. /
don't have anybody to play with now"
That evening Mr.. Stevens was look
ing over. some new curiosities he had
purchased. He did not care much for
such things, but this winter he was
trying to cultivate an enthusiasm for
khem in hope Of interesting his wife.
There are some really fine Florida
sketches in that studio In the new
block" he said, presently, looking up
from a nautilus shell he had been ex-
aiming. zone Of them will make a
uice souvenir Of Ormond., However,
II you do not care for them, you may
select anything else you like. This
year l am going to give you two pres
ents-my usual one and one Of your
own choosing as an Ormond souvenir.
He turned back to his shell, only to
raise his head again quickly. by the
way, forgot to tell you about man
met on the street to-day. You re-
member Seaton, the bookkeeper, who
ran away with $2,000?"
yes"
well, 1t was he, but SO changed |
hardly recognized the man. In his
case, crime has certainly proved its
own punishment. Two years ago he
was reckless, but was very scrupulous
about his personal appearance; now
be is only a slovenly, red-faced topper"
Mr., Stevens paused, and ran his fingers
through his hair in an irritable. dis
gusted sort Of way. 1T isn't the man
| care for" he grumbled, "but a fell
low Of his stamp seems to drag SO |
much good into the mire with him.
Fortunately his wife is dead, but there
Is a child left"
did you have him arrested" Mrs.
Stevens asked.
mo; what was the user a little
apologetically. HE has gone through
the money-and through himself al
most. When he saw me he was too
scared to speak. and Just stood there
trembling. l asked a few questions
and found that the money was all gone
and that he nWnd n rnnnthfn hAaVN -