Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-01-26
UNDER THE
SPUR.
~ CHARLES osAGE
toopyirht, lSO4. By Daily story Pub. cO'I

TUNICE was tired of 1t all. The gay
eties Of the smart set, social tri-
umphs, travel, amusements, every
thing had turned to ashes in her dain-
ty hand. So she told herself for the
hundredth time as she sat In her
beautiful boudoir and contemplated
the evenings programme-luncheon at
the Van Tanks, the opera and later
the reception at the Wellington's. 1t
would be the same old round, she
knew-not a new emotion or thrill Of
interest
And there was Harold Just alighting
from his carriage at the door, hand
some and debonaire as ever-was she
even firing of him? She shuddered
at the thought. But 1t was all SO
different than she had anticipated
when she walked down the church
aisle on his arm, amid the flowers and
the gay plumage. Then she was eager
to taste all these joys and feared only
that they might, somehow, be snatched
from her. And so soon had they be-
come tasteless. The love she bore
Harold seemed to have SO little to feed
upon. They had so little in common,
apparently, and that little Of so trivial
nature. His inherited wealth made
all effort of a money-getting nature
unnecessary, and his time was spent
at the clubs, In athletics or In the so
cial swim. She could not complain OF
neglect, as he was as devoted to her
as on the Wedding day, and they went
out much together. But all Of their
interests were so inconseQuential. 1t
seemed to her like playing at life.
Harold came into the room with his
genial, well-bred smile, and his court
ly salutation.
do you ever think of doing any
thing serious-going into business, or
-Aor--anything Of that sOrt?" she
asked, abruptly.
What FORT" he inquired, elevating
his aristocratic eyebrows trife.
81 don't exactly know" she replied,
slowly, laughing a serious little laugh.
But It seems to me sometimes that .
man would want some serious occupa-
tion-something to occupy his mind
10 call on hib powers-to-to-oh! I
don't know what do mean-to give
life q flavor and some importance"
Harold laughed heartily Guess
you're getting restless" he said
WED better figure out trip abroad.
How would China and japan and the
Philippines DO this time"
"oh, I'm tired Of travel, and Of
society, and Of luxury, and Of pretty
much everything" she replied II
sometimes wish we were not 80 hor-
ribly rich. Harold, and had to meet
-er-problems- and-and-thlngs. I
wish everything was not so cut-and-
dried and we were working and plan
ming, real things more. I'll believe
we would be closer together, dear"
The man laughed again, more heart
lily than before. .t
Come, comet" he said, crossing
over and laying his hand on her shoul-
der, you are getting morbid. This
will never do. Now run your hands
through your hair, and over your eyes,
like this, and say firmly to yourself.
I don't see 1t, don't think IL over
and over until the phantoms 60
away"
Both laughed at this sally. but the
woman shook her head seriously.
AZ suppose I'm q goose, but that's
the way feel. Come, it's time to dress
for the Van Tank luncheon"
SO the subject passed. 1t was not
referred to again, but Eunice thought
much on II In her quiet hours. She
saw other men all about, making
names for themselves and winning
great victories in the arena Of business
or the professions, and she compared
them with Harold, with his splendid
powers and equipment She knew he
would be 4 master in any line he un-
dertook, could a spur be applied. In
stead, he was floating through exist
encs in = golden gondola, elegant, 70
fined, appreciative Of all the best In
life, but using his own powers not at
ALL
Then came the crash. Hhrold's en-
tire fortune was swept away In
a night. Speculation and dishon-
esty on the part Of a trusted
friend Of Harold's father. who A.
ways had handled the property,
worked their sure course. One morn
ing the world found the trustee dead
By bis own hand. and brief note ex-
planned all. The entire Dennison e.
tate had been swallowed in his frantic
endeayors TO recover himself
Harold paled a trihe as he read the
paper at the breakfast table. Then he
lelsurely donned bis hat and top-coat
called for his trap and vas driven
u 4 = - -