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

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me q Iot Of money IN her letter. 20 tina
I'm not likely to starvo till next guar
ter day, when my own money is due
"Its a mercy you're Of age. Mary
he remarked.
"Oh, dearl I'm nearly "a. It's q lcpl
time since psed to make your lift
miserable at Breakdown, Perry. But
I'm really glad to be free. Aunt Ellis
has been trying-the poor deai
couldn't help II, I Suppose-for the last
few years; and Breakdown Ia a dull
hole. I'll Just take OF my hat and
jacket, If you don't mind. It's so good
OF you to let me stay here. I'm sorry
arrived when you were having
party. You must go back to your
friends, and I'm sure your housekeep-
er will look after me-"
"Pll come back to see you presently"
said Perry.
! mo; please don't. I'm going to bed
Z immediately--I'm pretty tired-and III
want to talk quite enough to you in
the morning. Good night, Perry"
Good night, Mary" he responded,
slowly. Somehow he was not eager
to return to the dining-room, and when
be did 80, the Easy Goers felt, one and
all, that something had happened. No
one suggested song Or called for Q
speech, as was usual at the monthly
gathering, and at the abnormally early
hour Of half-past II the dining-room
was empty, save for the host, who sat
by the dead fire and chewed cold,
stale cigar. .,.,,,.. ,--
III.
For three weeks Miss Stafford, who
did not greatly worry her pretty head
about conventionalities, remained Mr..
Perry Parkih's guest, and enjoyed her
self immensely After. years Of exist
ence In a little seaside town the girl
could appreciate the sights and enter
tainments which her host exerted him
self to show and give ,her-sights and
entertainments which were almost az
new to him az to her.
/ But at the end OF three weeks the
fever Of happiness left him. He pro.
posed and was gently, but firmly, re-
jected. Mary, leaving Mrs. Phigg in
q state Of almost motherly misery, de-
parted sadly from the house and went
to board with family in another sub
urb. But even in his detection Perry
realized that he had missed three or
binary meetings Of the Easy Going
society, aud that the December supper
was due In few days. So he pulled
himself together and wrote apologies
and invitations to all the members, on
receipt Of which all the members
waxed exceedingly glad, save Mr.. Mar
tingale, who became Internally" 80,
for they had been sore afraid for their
kindly president.
The Easy Goers arrived at the APP
pointed hour, and supper was served;
but in vain did the guests try to at
tain to their customary joviality, and
in vain did the host attAmpt to add
humor to his kindness. Something
was wrong, though none but the host
knew exactly what 1t was.
1t was nearly ten O'Clock when Mrs.
Phigg tapped at the door and respect
fully summoned her employer to speak
with her.
Excuse me, gentlemen" he said as
he rose. I'VE seem to be fated to 10
disturbed" he added with wan smile.
well, what's the matter, Mrs.
Phigg?" he inquired, as he Joined his
housekeeper in the hall.
''She's in the parlor," gasped the
good creature. =
"What?" D,-. ~,
1.-THE young lady-Miss Stafford
she's In the parlor. oh! oh! obi"
Perry, with a complexion like chalk,
entered the parlor. /
'I'm in trouble, and I've come to you
again." said Mary, speaking hurriedly |
and with forced calmness. Cst
Tell me-" said he. ~
Il got on fairly well with the people |
went to board with till tonight, when
1t came out that had been living here
for three weeks. They thought that
that wasn't proper, and that 1 wasn't |
respectable, and they suggested that |
should go elsewhere. And where was
/ to go TOT" w n "Fos
"hIere," said Perry, checking his |