Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-01-12
A CHANGE
OF HEART;
By BELLE MANDATES

nHlL LAWTON . udrh eySn "''e'
followed the fair form OF the young
Firl who fitted about the room. She was
bestowing all her glances and all heF
little attentions upon her father, Gen.
william Thornburn, almost ignoring the
presence of the man who adored her.
Presently servant entered and hand
cd Miss Thornburn card
"Oh, its Miss Lee! She Will only
make q formal call. | Will be BACK
aoon," and with lingering caress upon
her fathers bronzed cheek, she left the
room.
Phil looked up dlsconsolately'
II might as well confess, General that
I tried my fate with Eloise this morning.
and--she has given no hope"
The generals grey eyes saddened
as that so, Phil? am truly sorry
and disappointed, but Eloise Is only a
child. She was startled, and doesn't
know her heart yet
The young man shook his head dis
eOuragingly.
az had no reason to believe that she
returned my love, general. She has al
ways treated me nicely and courteously'
out with a good-natured tolerance"
Faint heart, Phil! Try again"
NO" replied Phil slowly. Il don't
want to lose even her liking. l think
Z will take my departure now before
she returns. Your days together are SO
few that will not intrude moment
aonEer."
A few moments after Phil had taken
ais leave, Eloise returned to the H.
Nrary.
"Alone, papa! Where is Mr.. Law
toni"
"He has gone Eloise, He asked me to
say goodnight to you for him. He said
ne thought he would want our last few
days together uninterrupted"
HE is very considerable, papa. In
deed, we do! Every minute Of it,"
"He told me, Eloise, what passed be-
tween you and him this morning"
The girls face flushed and she looked
embarrassed.
"Did he? Well, aren't you glad that
am going to remain your little girl
always?"
IF we're to be here with you, Eloise,
"a be 10th to give you even to Phil, but
now that | am ordered to the Philip
pines--to country where ! cannot take
you, It would be a great relief to me
20 see you the happy wife Of the man
Of my choice for you-the son Of my
lifelong friend-a man Of honor, and to
know that your future welfare was as
Wured."
Eloise looked puzzled.
Nov, papa, how absurd l am to
b with friends, and you'll be back in
ewo years, and then wen be chumS to-
gether again"
''My dear little girl! The fortunes
and future Of q soldier are very uncer-
Hain, and you cannot know the anxiety
and responsibility Of a father for his
only child who Is, motherless."
why, papa, did not know you felt
! this way about I'll |"
at would give me great content
EIolse, to go away knowing you were
the wife of q man who would give you
mis- love and protection as well as
home, but II you do not care for him, 1t
cannot be, and we will think no more
about IT,"
But Elolse did think a great deal
about II, and naturally in thinking Of
It, she bestowed more thought upon Phil
.Lawton than she ever had before. After
dinner, when the general sat down to
mis- cigar and evening paper. she knew
ne missed and wanted Phil. who had
Aeen such a constant companion, not
only OF late, but in the days when she
had been away at school and had known
him only through her fathers letters.
There are times when a man misses
and yearns for another man, even II
the dearest woman in the world is
about" she thought philosophically.
She slipped from the room and dis
patched little note to Phil. telling her
father was lonesome for him and would
he not come over to the house-for
her fathers sake
He came promptly and she gave him
. grateful welcome. The general imme-
6irtely Frightened up and opened an an
D. ated discourse with the young man on
ahe question Of trusts. Eloise, sitting
apart IN the shadows. llsteLed and
watched Phil Lawton's strong face with
neVly awakened interest and curiosity.
Heretofore she had bestowed but a cas-.
ualthought and glance upon him. Turn
1ng suddenly, he caught her absorbed