Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-06-27

perhaps he's dead" said Abraham.
"And q good Job. too. II he be-
"You mustn't say that. Mr.. Sellars.
she cried; though l couldn't marry
one who lived SO wild as did Hack,
yet know no better-disposed lad Ger
livedI"
He te-hee'd merrily, then took up
his hat and rose to depart.
"Tell you what, dear" he said, y
feel as It's in the air you're going to
love me indeed, I'll lay bet OF
q shilling with you that this time next
week you'll be willing to SIT upon my
knee, and maybe-maybe kiss me Of
your own accord. II you're not willing
to sit on my knee come q week to-day
give you a shilling-if you are, you
give me slxpence."
"All right" said Mary.
When he had gone Mary immedi-
ately took the precaution Of drawing
the bolt. i've had enough Of ME-
Sellars tonight" she said. Hes
well-nigh set me against him, putting
tnlnss' 30 eiea, Deioie ny eye.
cruel ana naIu " 10 sno,t ~ in1ns
to turn!"
The next day farm lad came
with a letter addressed in Struggling
hand and sealed with liver-colored
waters She opened unwillingly, ex-
Meeting to read therein an emphatic
renewal Of his proposal; but, instead
she found that he Stunned the very
mention of love.
"My dear Mary" he had written,
.'you must not be disappointed II you
do not see me until week come last
night: for am minded Of an old
rhyme as my father used to say when
/ was counting my first. 1t ran some
thing like He as woos maid must
seldom come in her sight. So you see,
I am going to give myself q fair
chance to win nv bet by staying away
and letting your thoughts dwell on
me. But Won NAV be sure as shall
always he thinking of YOU, and If you
want aueht of any kind. you've only
IN Let ma know nv letter, Your affec.
tomato sweetheart
ABRAHAM
SomenoW MARY ielt ~ pe.'e. spili'P
now tnan sle nau ever lels siIoe 'n
uay, q WE'VE nionen aso, wnen ne lau
nrst gwen her dennitely 70 unuerstanu
tnat ms VlsltS were maze WIN view
70 marriage AS sne knew tnat sue
was 10 spend tne evenins aione' sue
LOOK Dunoie OF ietters lrom 1ne az
Quereo tes-cAuuy' anu Desan " Ieau'
FoA-or RACK as eVeryone
called MN MAD written tnese On tne
rare occasions wnen business nau I
calleo MN 70 tns country Vown. 'ney
were rough, uncoutnly phraseo' Dut
full Of honest passion. When the
perusal was finished, she sat with
them on her lap, tearfully gazing into
space. At seven o'clock, however, q I
curious impulse made her replace all
and then don the quaint gown she
had worn for Abraham's sake. After.
wards she went into the garden, ana
without knowing why gathered three
white roses with pink hearts, ana
pinned them with spray OF Laos
owe to her throat. When she looked
1t her reflection In the little mirror
rear the clock, she frowned almost
,rossly, and her hands rose to re-
move the flowers; but fell suddenly,
Is she heard the gate open, and
oddly familiar sound on the
flags of the path.
She staggered against the wall; her
ace. as 1t turned slowly towards the
pen door was white as the outer
,etals of the roses. Then, hearing her
lame spoken in a hoarse VOICE sh~
moved forward ana Tell into mans
'utstretched arms.
1t was Hercules Fox, but not the
anne Hercules she had known; In
tead, a handsome, healthy and stal.
gart fellow, with no trace in. either
ace or figure of the ravages dissipA'
lon had wrought. The apparition was
90 much for Mary.
Il can't believe it's you, Hack" shs
altered. tits more than my head'll
tandl"
The young man kissed her heartily.
Can you now7" he asked. Lord!