Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-08-19

bitterness. tried 10 perlande her %
return to America with my wife and
me-to come back to Warrington.
told her | could get her employment
In one Of the departments Of the gov
eminent where she could live quietly
and earn enough to be comfortable.
but she refused my every suggestion,
insisting that she was perfectly well
and happy as she was She was called
then for the second act, but as she left
the room she turned and spoke to me.
"'Tom, she said In her old. soft
voice, I didn't mean to be rude. a. d I
know you intended It for the best, but
can't take your advice don't ask II
Of me. couldn't live in Washington
after all that has happened. really
couldn't. I'm all right, indeed am,
and making money fast, and I'm tlad
to have seen you, Tom, but don't re-
call old days; want to forget II can.
Think Of me. sometimes. please. Good
by"
The Doctor paused for q moment a.
he knocked the ashes on his cigar.
Il remember every word Of that last
sentence" he said; somehow never
forgot It. l never shall"
The Senator turned suddenly to the
| Doctor.
"And you left without seeing her
again, suppose" he said. did II
never occur to you that she was only
waiting to be urged to come home:
that she must have been heartsick for
her own country and friends?"
"She had no friends here" said the
Doctor quietly. you forget the cir
cumstances, ! think. / was sailing In
few days, but ! tried several times to
see her again. Each time / was re-
fused admittance."
when woman deliberately selects
that sort Of life," said the Member, 1T
is wasted energy to try and induce her
4 to give 1t up"
very true" assented the Doctor,
"but suppose she Is driven to it, what
then? What is your opinion Of the
man in the case?'
mo doubt" returned the Member,
he Is no worse than the generality.
There are skeletons in most closets, as
you must know, Doctor"
"Yes," said the Journalist, "but the
doors are securely locked, as rule"
when did you next see herr" in
Quired the Senator.
1.-TWO weeks ago. at the vaudeville.
She did skirtdancing turn on ! Globe,
1such as you have often seen. When
she tainted / went to offer my services,
and woman back there told me about
her. 1t is a pitiful tale Of illness,
want and debt. Once started down
hill, it is curious how rapid the de-
scent can be-"
Il took her home, to my house." re-
sumed the Doctor, land my wife nursed
her, but she never rallied. Just at the
last, however, she regained conscious
ness and said one word--a mans
name"
Z, The Senator leaned forward with an
expectant expression, while the Mem
Der Of Congress complacently caressed
his mustache.
i "And the name was" said the
Journalist
mime" said the Doctor quietly.
"You see, was bending over her when.
she opened her eyes, and she recog-
nized me- 1t was quite natural. You
are not going, Senator?"
But the Senator had remembered q
pressing engagement, and so, 1t APP
peared, had the Member of Congress.
4 "A most interesting story, Doctor,
and remarkably well told. 1t would
write up famously," said the Journal
list. Have your permission to use It
Is copy?"
But the Doctor was looking after his
departing guests.
i Il thought it just possible" he said
absently, owing to the similarity Of
names, and yet. wonder"
He turned suddenly to the Journal.
ist.
mo" he said, "T'd rather you
didn't publish, II you don't mind"
----
The Senator and the Member Of Con-
gress walked few blocks together;
then the latter, remarking that he
really must go to work at his speech
, on the tariff question, turned Of in the
, direction Of his rooms, while the SEN
ator walked slowly home.
The Member sat down at his desk
and went carefully over the matter al
ready prepared on the tsrtn
4 wonder" he said aloud. why he
. told that story tonight, whether It was
accident or design. ! wonder how much
Inc knows. wonder"
, He wrote several pages rapidly
which were consigned to the waste
basket when read. then absently I'm
Rsring his pen, while the clock on the
. mantei licked monotonously on as the
hands Travelled over its face unno'
! iced.
"oh, we'll" said the Member Of Con.
j ress, rousing himself abruptly Is the
hour chimed, ats all in q lifetime. ]
suppose"