Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-03
Two Liars Made One.
nY LEoNARp NJ. coNANT.

occupied with their own tnOuShti
than with each other-although the
girl, It might DO noted. ever and anon
gave the man q covert glance from
beneath the long lashes, IS though
she were trying to read something
In his gloomy face.
Beautiful cruise, this" he grunted
presently, making several vicious
lunges with the paddle.
THE day could not be more per
feet" she replied, with that feminine
substitute for sweetness which savors
so much Of gall and NORWOOD.
He swept the canoe along with
strong, measured strokes for several
minutes, the strength of his strokes
being reflected in the savage firmness
of his lips.
"If you have become permanently
tongue-tied you may take me home,
she said, presently, pulling her shape
ly hand out of the water, where 1t had
been trailing idly. Il will try to find
deaf-mute to take me out next time
Just for sociability's sake"
Silently he turned the bow OF the
craft toward the shore, then pausing
with the paddle resting across his
knees, he looked at her steadily and
said:
Look here, Ethel, what has hap
pened since Wednesday? For the past
three or four days a stone wall seems
to have arisen between US. What Ia
it? Tell me. For heavens sake, let
us have some sort Of an understand
ing. If have done anything to dis
please you, let me make amends.
Only tell me what 1t is all about"
"You seem to have something on
your mind Yourself" she replied.
Nonsense" he replied, sternly. Il
am as was week ago, but do not
seem to be able to get within gun
shot Of you. Now l demand to know
what Is the matter"
"Oh, do you, indeed?" she replied,
sweetly. "Quite dramatic, isn't i'll"
He plunged the paddle into the wa
tor again savagely.
There's that lovely new electric
launch of O'Brien's just going in. l
do wish you would take me down to
the Point in 1t. They are going to
have q lovely supper and a dance
there tonight"
He looked at her with mingled re-
proach and dignity.
"YOu know perfectly well that
O'Brien charges 81 an hour for the
launch" he replied, land that I could
not afford to hire 1t for two hours
to say nothing about the eight or ten
It would take to 90 to the Point and
hold 1t over the dance. Besides, the
supper tickets for tonight are IS each.
You forget that am only q lawyers
clerk, although you said you under
stood 1t perfectly when you accepted
my ring"
That's right" she replied, looking
him coolly in the face. Il did forget,
and l beg your pardon"
II see 1t all clearly now" he broke
out passionately. "You are tired Of
being tied to poor man and want
your freedom. I was fool to think
that a girl like you could be contented
to be tied to poor devil on salary
Of SIS week and only the prospect
ahead of being admitted to the bar
after time and then only chance
Of establishing a practice" And he
dug the paddle into the water with a
vim that sent the little craft spinning
shoreward.
THAT is all very fine talk" she re-
piled. what does 1t mean?"
at means that l thought we could |
get along very happily until got my |
admission by being frugal and your |
helping some at first, as you said you |
Intended to, by sticking to your type
writing" he replied. But l perceive
that the glamor of the world has pos
sessed you. Well, be 1t so. God
knows 1t has been the dream Of my
life, but can see 1t is over now and
give you back your freedom" The
paddle bent under the desperate en-
ergy Of his strokes.
The girl looked him sQuarely in the
BYE and q slight sheer played over her
mouth.
"You really should go on the stage"
she replied, land / would suggest
do think, however, that
you should have given me credit for
more of a sense Of perception than
vou did"
He paused and glanced at her in
,pen-mouthed wonder.
What do you mean?" he asked.
81 see 1t all very plainly now" the
yirl went on. You have had your
summers fun, and the summer being
bout over, you now want to free
Yourself Of the responsibilities Of a
ieaslde Irritation and go back to the
,ity and brag about your little con-
luest. Do you think It quite gsner-
Jus, however, to throw the RESPONSE
,iltty of the parting on me? Possibly
'ou mean 1t to be delicate way to
oothe nay pride-but the work Is too
oarse, sir. Well, ! accept the situa-
ion and dismiss you and return you
our ring"
She made q motion to pull the sim
lie gold band from her finger, but he
tartad foruard and beinR unabla to