Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-11-02

was ~ INNING TOT ner Irlenu, aM0
which She had decided would be g.
most appropriate task for a young
housekeeper to be found engaged
upon. The real Jesslca would farl
more likely have been caught reading|
the latest best seller"
Enid. however. was not womanI
70 waver for long.
I'm ashamed of you, Ms. RichardI
Belden. Proxy" she scolded herself
inwardly,, AZ she bent over hor work.
You've put your hand to the plow.
and you've got to keep ON now, WHAT
ever happens.
At that moment she heard brisk. \
masculine footsteps hurrying mp tho|
front walk.
: Laying down her work, she arose
and stepped forward. with outward
calmness. To greet the stranger.
"Mr. suragus. belisvs." she b.
san. Then-she stopped short sud-
denly 20 shs got q good look at tho
handsome young man who Yves stand.
Ing. hat IN hand. before her.
The hot blood mounted 10 Enid'9
cheeks. This was NO stranger. Oh
why. when she had heard the name
Of 6prague. had she 20 easily tAkan q
for granted that Dicks friend could
not BY any possibility be the Tom
Sprague with whom abe had become
acquainted while visiting at her
aunt's three years before?
She smiled a little deAantly AftsP
oil, was It not bettsr 10 rnest him lee-
ting him think her another manN
wife than 10 have met him simply %
Enid Maynard. 90 she would have
besn obliged to DO had Il not been for
JessicaS absence. Than be misht
have thought she had cared about the
trtfling quarrel that had brought her
visit at hsr auntr 70 an abrupt ter
minati0n.
II had ended the friendship, too
that had been rapidly growing towar6
q closer regard. But be must nevees
never dream that she had given him
second thought
why, how small the world IL.
after sil," she added, striving 70
speak with easy cordially. II ann
delighted that Mr.. Belden's friend
proves to be an old acquaintance Of
mine, instead Of the stranger I or
pectOd to meet. Please DO seated. OF
course you must have lunch with me.
What q say party we should be If
only my husband were hereI" t
you have a very pleasant home,
Mrs, Belden. and am quite sure q
very happy one II Dick Belden has
to do with IT," Tom gprAgu0
remarked. giving Enid a peculiar look
which brought the color to her
cheeks.
They chatted for q few minutes
upon various Indifferent topics. Then
Enid excused herself, and went to the
kitchen. Though she would not have
owned to 1t, she could not help feel.
ing a little the apparent Indifference
with which her guest had accepted \
The fact Of her being another mans
wife. He had seemed to take delight
too, in making occasions for address
Ing her % Mrs. Belden.
With the assumption Of all the
dignity she could muster,
she summoned him to the dining.
room, where they sat down to O tete7
A-tete meal interrupted only by the
occasional clumsy entrances Of the
stout but willing Mrs. O'Bnen.
It seemed to Enid as II that dread.
'ul meal would never end.
But, az Mrs. o'Brien made her last
Exit, Tom looked at Enid with an
i'd smile.
DO you know" he remarked, his
'oice softening to tenderness, there
vas a time when I--well, presumptu.
rus as It may seem--T hoped that you
would eft opposite me thus at my
'wn taple ono Gay -4t
Ends eyes sought her place. She
new, in her assumed character Of
frs. Richard Belden she ought to feel
Indignant. but-she couldn't. Instead
Re listened with bated breath.
Then came that unfortunate mis-
understanding" Tom continued, "And
gu went home without giving me q
nance to explain. felt then that
gu did not care, as cared"
Enid struggled for self-control. Oh,
ow bitterly she had repented the
niger that had driven her home too
ooni
A rebellious tear refused to be held
] check longer. and rolled down her
heck.
Tom was at her side In one quick
ound. and Enid was In his arms
obbing out the confession Of her
,olishness.
II have a confession to make, too,
ear" Tom told her, later. when mat
RS had been satisfactorily settled
I'D they we're engaged. II knew all
70 time that you were not Dicks
lie. for he had told me be had mar
cd q Miss Jessica Bowman"
What 4 goose was not to think
that" Enid poutsd ehArmingIy
But don't care = bit, 20 there"