Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-12-22
HER OWN PROBLEM ss,, J ~ 'lrsssa Y,
A CHRTSTMASe STORY

"Why, good afternoon, Miss Helen
Just ever 50 glad to see you bach
hsaia, apd II ID needless to ask how
you are Tor your rosy cheels remind
one a. spring instead cf christhrai
BIeakpess.'.
llpier who had bssu abeoel foi
4 scar with her mother aul eache.
lsr brother. reioined the pleasant
sanitation Of her friend, Mr. Meade
with a happy. Thank you, such 9
glorious year ought to make one
lock that way"
Here she was interrupted by some
one pressing upon her arm and turn,
"a to clasp the extended hand Of Mr.
spenser, president Of the bank ir
which she stood.
n was looking for mother In here
Mr. spenser but must have missed
her, remarked Helen,
y
"she has not been in the bank this
Afternoon. replied Mr., spenser-
Come bach and wait wont your
Ana he led the way to q private Of
flcs and offered chair.
ThankIng him Helen seated her
self ana was soon lost in thoughts
which ran IKE this; Away whple
year and this bank Just as shabby q
Il ever wae land the richest one in
town. oht isn't It dreary. should
think the wFeaths on the money
would mould II the currency stays
here long
True, It was a dreary room. In
one corner stood an old fashioned
desk, rtarred and stained and on each
side Of It was a chair. A few black
hooks we're driven into the faded wall
from one OF which hung a stained
print Of Sidney Carton ascending the
steps to the gallows. One long win
dow let in the gray daylight Of De-
cemher and through the loose sash
came the doIorous notes Of a blind
man,s hand-organ as he sought thus
to attract eager Christmas shoppers
10 MS empty cup.
The door Of the office squeaked
upon it's hinges and Helen started
anticipating her mother but the bent
figure Of a woman filled the opening
Momentarily her eye rested upon
Helen, then glancing into the bank
ske motlnoned Mr.. spenser to her,
He was tail man, quick even 70
] nervous degree. His face was Sc
rious and his eyes-those which PEN
etrate with their intensity yet sooth
With their kindly beam. Coming
tSward the woman, he smiled a
greeting but scarcely had she ans
weFed until she asked, sHave you
"
SEEN Joe?"
rse7 ia6e was not that Of an ordin-
sfx woman Helen realized that.
q6s shabby cloth SKIRT. the pattern
worn shawl, the uncomfortable knot
II hair just showing under the faded
straw hat we're forgotten or at least
suDdned BY the fascinating face.
Trouble had mot erased all lines Of
thought ana former grace, but care
had dsftly refined them into curves
et faith and patience.
..No.. rejoIned Mr.. spenser. Has
something gone wrong3"
sfss, tss,s Sigh almost q sob.
rnssfythihg Il eesmn, everything
The hab5 lons ni1sss cost us dread
sally then IL aeath gou knos--and
1ou-oh, III. spencer, the ehattel
nors1 aEs % 3oes cattle is due 70.
nsrmN fha aag before -christns1'
~ not . cout e meet r Mr.
kinnsona WI nol ooncede for hara
fbsiune apd declares be must takt
aliie
Hsre 4 eob made Der besitate ald
n ljf fsli % the iaded skirl
,sS lola q bsr tnotion Tor 81
n.stsrrs hsrself nnd Coptinuet. ia
i3s save to I'VE oa-eserJlhihs
fcr ~ fHor ikt flood fo6k eui
lo,s. lnne1 cor extra nonrys anl
~ .as.s t,sf sssssas, as.i1.