Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-02-15

IL Whh NOVSmUcI ONohAhbb AONA =
Aine O'Clock, at which hour the Has!
Goers were due To meet their worth!
president.
Mr.. Perry Parkin delighted to enter
tain such appreciative guests as tn
Easy Goers, and looked forward to foul
or five hours of cheerful relaxation.
"That must be Martingale," he sale
to himself as the doorbell was sudden
ly and violently rung. "Martingale'i
always the first and the hungriest
poor fellow"
Mrs. Phigg, the housekeeper, entered
the dining-room, bearing a small tray
upon which lay "a telegram. ''' ="
"Ah! Perhaps some one can't come
What pity!" he murmured, tearing
open the envelope. u
"What, what-what's this2 : !
Good life!"
He read the telegram again.
AUNT Eliza has clipped with the or
ganist. i can't stay here, so will come
70 see you. Arrive $3.50 tonight.
We. =4a,a s.s,e %. MARY
Mr.. Perry Parkin groaned and paced
the floor with uneasy steps. ''Of all
the nights for her to come here!" he
muttered. "And haven't seen her for
years--not since she was child, and
rather an obnoxious one. Don't sup
pose I'd know her II met her on the
street; but l suppose my having sent
her birthday and Christmas presen S
regularly has caused her to regard me
as q sort Of friend in need. Well, we're
both practically alone in the world 90
far as near relations go. Hullo! Mar:
tingale. delighted to see you" Perry
stopped In his walk and shook hands
with his guest gentleman who
looked. like retired colonel, but who
was really a traveller In low priced,
more or less, mechanical toys-penny
Jumping jacks, tin fish, squeaking dolls.
dancing niggers and SO forth
"Infernally cold tonight, Parkin,"
remarked Mr.. Martingale, warming his
hands at the glowing fire.
A minute later appeared a quartette
Of gentlemen, each Of whom the trav-
eler in mechanical toys protested him
self Externally glad" to see; and
shortly afterwards, the last OF the
guests having been welcomed, the
party sat down to supper.
"This is an Internally fine duck, Par
KIM" observed Mr.. Marlngale from the
foot of the table, as he savagely hacked
at the plump carcass In front OF him.
Glad you think 3d." said Mr.. Par
kin, endeavoring to shake of his nerV-
BUSINESS. what are you having, b.
Iand?" he asked a Quiet-looking little
man with a large, shiny, dome-like
head who sat on his left. "Will you
have chicken or chuck-I mean"
Thanks, will have chicken. Hope
i see you we'll, Parkin," said the little
man. ~ .E
"oh, I'm all right" replied Perry,
with an effort at smile. The fact
Is, gentlemen" he said, raising his
voice 30 that the general conversation
ceased, 1.-THE fact is that have IA
relative coming here tonight, and !
shall presently beg you to be so kind
,as to excuse me for half an hour, and
not consider my leaving you for that
time as breach of manners or hos
pitality. / did not know my-my rela-
tive was coming until shortly before
supper"
: Don't mention II, Parkin," said half
the company, and Mr.. Martingale add
ed: 'T'm sure we'd all be Internally
glad to meet your relation, II he"
at is a-a-fe-female relative
atammered Perry.
Just then, to his intense relief, MIRA
'Phlgg entered and whispered that his
cousin had arrived. With an apology
to his dumfounded guests, the host left
the table.
at must be an aunt" said Mr..
Wragg to those about him.
"Well," remarked Mr., Martingale,
zone doesn't usually get internally red
when an aunt pays a visit. H'ml
h'ml Another bit OF duck, Robin
son!"
SD II.
Mr.. Perry Parkin opened the parlor
door and stepped in as he might have
done had his destination been q cold
bath on frosty morning. N
Are you very angry2" The words,
softly spoken, reached him ere he
could touch her hand. M ~
Angry2 How could he be angry with
this pretty, graceful creature who
smiled at him in half-shy, half-con-
hdent fashion? He hadn't word to
say; but his hand~shake satisfied her.
IL had no one else to go to, you
know. II couldn't bear to stay with
anyone in Breakdown after Aunt Eliza
making such a stir. And 80 | came 70
you, Perry" H 4
He started. 1t was 90 long since a
woman had called him by his FIRST
name. "You-you did right, Mary" he
said 1t
well, thought you would be able
to tell me Of nice boarding house, or
something Of the kind, where could
stay tai Iimade NJ my mind about the
future But gour heussksapsr-- dear
old tAinglrseeped, 70, expect me 10
stay hera to-night-" "a III -.