Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-11-30

oHlfuk fN'yNNNo AAAe-Ii - ~ - ~ -
' haa only been in EdchsvlHe tws
A years.. she hnfolded Letter ans
read. @"'Abram Hewitt isis doint
splendidly. He is the only money
lender In town, and is one Of the rich
men now. He is building beautiful
home and is very helpful to your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. He m
| quires every day when YOU" She
broke of abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. II
wouldn't do as money-lender," lie
replied; too much sympathy for the
other fellow. I've had TO borrow,
myself"
Constraint fell with that, and Gid
con went to the smoking compart'
ment and sat himself down, gloomily,
In q corner.
"of course" he chided: Il might
have known some rich man would
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England without
being married." With that he watch
cd vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life In the
past 40 hours fade 40 the light Of
evening faded on the distant noun
tainS.
The rich Mr.. Hewitt stalked into
their conversation and spread him
self around like q wet blanket fire.
Quently; after that Gideon tried to
avoid him, and 80 did the school
ma'am girl. But he was evidently
character not accustomed to being
ignored. II was patent to Gideon he
had nominated himself to be the hus-
band Of little Miss Serena and that,
furthermore, Serena's parents were
eager to ratify the nomination.
Once, when they were looking over
some of the girls snapshots they
came to man posing under a tree,
a man with his hat tilted knowingly
back, unaware that he showed q fore
head from which the hair was reced-
ing. He had an upcurled, oily-Iooking
black mustache, and wore satif aed
smirk.
who's thatT demanded Gideon.
That's Mr.. Hewitt" returned Ser
emo
why, he's old!" cried Gideon, with
fierce triumph. And then he leaned
forward to look into her eyes. Bun,
don't marry him! He"
"Mr. Rush,"
For the first time Gideon felt the
weight Of the Icy school teacher tone.
The humbled Gideon sought refuge
In the smoking compartment, where
be stayed until bedtime.
Next morning he recalled with a
start that they were but IA hours
from Gilesburg. He sought Serena.
The schoolmaam girl was encased
IN the manner which he knew strange |
leachers adopt at an institute. She
was painstakingly polite and pain
'ully friendly, and as lmpersonal as
he multiplication table, For once,
Mr. Hewitt did not get into the con-
Even at dinner, dining car extraV-
lgance on which Gideon insisted be-
,ause 1t was to be their last meal to-
,ether, the girls armor remained In
)lace.
The hours passed inexorably. AL
most before he could believe It. the
whistle screamed, the brakeman
.ried "Gilesburg!" and Gideon was
Itanding in the aisle, saying goodbye
o Miss Blythe.
So with heart sore and rebellious
lie descended into the soft darkness
II the little town, suitcase in hand.
Mechanically he tumbled in his peck
It's for his trunk check.
The engine was taking water. Gid
ION walked forward, for one more
ook at the schoolma'am girl Her
ieat was toward the middle Of the
ar on the other side. The platform
vas high, and by standing on tiptoe
lie could Just see her.
Her head was turned away; chin
IN hand, she was looking out into the
darkness There was droop to her
lot at all like the young woman who
lad hidden him cheerful goodbye a
ew moments before. Stealthily she
labbed her eyes with her handker,
thief.
Just then the train started; so did
lideon, He rushed up the steps OF
he car. treading on the toes Of the
conductor. and nearly knocking over
he porter, dropped his suitcase In
he vestibule. and marched up the
isle,
"Bun," he said, quietly, and sat
Town beside her.
She turned. with a sudden catch.
ng Of breath. There was Joy in
Ter dewy eyes, Unconsciously she
uetohed out her hand and Gideon
ook 1t in his own.
"ohl" she sighed, with tremulous
mile. sit seemed so lonesome. But
he train-we're leaving Gilesburg
Where are you going?"
with you." he replied, simply.
But" she struggled TO release
er hand. you can'ti" Her eyes
ell on the trunk-chack hetwaan HE