Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-07-20

A she FASTENED with winged feet
home from the elevated station, her
heart throbbing like trip-hammer, her
feet and hands we're chill as ice, nes
brain was excitedly Keeling on para
graphs Of copy of a superlatively choice
description. She was realizing, In I'M
agination, the opportunity OF her NE
For the moment she had forgotten Ken
set, love, everything but professional
ambition. Only public newsmongeTs,
exhausted with the continual endeavor
to discover something new under me
sun, can appreciate the Joy and excite
ment Of securing genuine and valpapie
beat" Jean Merriam had never before
had occasion to experience this peculiar
species of elation. 1t mounted to her
brain like wine.
As she thrust her latch-key into the
door, her fingers shook with Impotence.
As she ran up the stairs, she nearly
stumbled over her gown. sshe gained
the landing of the second fiight-she,
herself, lived three pair, back-she drew
up short; an idea had come to her. She
would stop Just an instant at kenset's
door to tell him the great news. She
was sure Of q sympathizer in him. At
the same time she would invite him to
dine with her, au troisieme, that even
Ing. He had looked quite famished, OF
late, poor fellow! On her way across
the passage, her nimble brain executed
o menu of an almost profigate char
acteT, considering her circumstances.
She meant to buy fatted calf, to XIII
and cook it, after she had run In" her
copy. !
She was fairly aquiver with excite
Ment as she tapped at Kensets door.
Perhaps 1t was because Of this that her
knock was SO feeble as to be scarcely
recognizable as such. This she failed
to realize, however, and, believing that
20 response to her summons indicated
the fact of no presence within, she soft
v pushed open tine door and entered,
with the intention Of leaving q note OF
invitation upon the mantel.
But the room was not untenanted. A
man standing before an empty fireplace
turned a quick white face upon her at
the sound of the opening door. Some
thing in his appraised hand flashed with
the dull glitter Of metal as he dropped
his arm, and a heavy thud as OF q
Weighty object striking the hearth be-
meath the CRATE fell ominously on her
ears, as the arm made quick backward
movement.
For an instant the room swan before
her, a deathly nausea turned her SICK
and faint, her limbs nearly gave way be-
meath her. Then, she smiled and went
forward nonchalantly, with a gay
laugh.
you didn't hear me knock, ! sup
pose" she said, in wonderfully steady
voice.
well, l did, all the same. Perhaps
1t wasn't very loud really don't know.
You see, I'm so excited l hardly know
what I'm about. I've got such an aw-
fully good thing for you-an out-and-
out scoop. What do you think? Eu-
genia Vanderbilt is engaged TO the
marquis of Avonshire! Fact, l assure
you, and the best part Of 1t is that not
q living soul on this continent outside
The family knows it, but just you and
[. Sit down, my friend, and scribble.
III give you all the data as you go along
that is, all I've got, and it's consider
able.
She got him finally into the spirit OF
the thing, and seated at the table with
a blotting-tag before him and a pencil
in his hand. Her excitement and volu-
Dility had hoodwinked him. Although
his muscles twitched and his hand
shook, his color had grown more natu-
raj and he appeared to follow her with
interest. His eyes wore no longer the
hunted look of desperate man. They
had more the expression of sanity. He
to be upon the point Of taking
down her dictation when he paused and
turned suspicious gaze upon her.
why" he asked, doubtfully, like one
who has been proffered something for
which he has had an almost insane crav-
Ing, and yet distrusts his right to 40
cept 1t, why do you give me this find.
Miss Merriam? It's just in your line:
why don't you use 1t YOURSELF"
The girl drew in her breath as one
does when contemplating q desperate
plunge. Mortal diseases demand pow
erful remedies. Though her face was
her eyes rested steadily on his.
Because" said she, in a brave, full
tone, 81 love a man with all my heart,
and l cannot bring myself to writing
publicly Of the possible love Of another
Kenset dropped his pen. threw out his
hand and caught herA
You know was about to chuck itr'-
be asked, with q look towards tho
hearth.
Her strong fingers swined themselves
spout his.
I'm glad you did chuck It," she re
turned. with a laugh. that had catch in
Il What should ! have done. If you
iadn't?"
For a minute their steady glances
held each other passIonately. Then he
raised her hand to his lips. which
twitched convulsively. Then: