Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-01-11

growled Robert phft a
e2 Il supposs be thought ] wanted to
help ali / could--he 10 very good.
Robert, but I'm afraid must be very
wicked. for ! don't really want to ad-
dress strangers on such q personal
topic"
In the distance Robert Leonard
saw his houses againHt the dark back
ground OF the forest. from which his
IaboFeFs we're bringing out q fortune
in dye.woods. Close at hand was .
patch OF sugar cane growing along
side the road and standing among
the green canes was man with q
curved knife In bis hand. cutting
down succulent stalks.
A white straw hat was pushed back
on his handsome head. revealing q
mop OF thick dark hair; he had Q
brown skin, flashing black eyes and
a strong brown throat where his
white shirt was open at the collar.
May pulled her horse to a stand.
still and looked back at her brother.
who was tagging behind. Bobby. ]
believe TIT begin with himl" she said.
pointing toward the man, who. appar'
emily unconscious OF their approach.
was swinging away at the sugar cane,
whistllng as he worked
Fire ahead" said Bobby. stihing
a laugh. "I'll wait IN the shade OF
this tree. But why not confne your.
self to converting the women and
children and let the men alone?"
She rode close beside him and ex.
planned. Il told Mr.. Nash how repug.
nant II would be for me and he said
that was all the more reason should
do It; ! must sacrifice my feelings to
the principle of the thing" II
well, 60 on" said Bobby resign
eddy, although a wicked light shone
in his eyes. He did not like Mr.. Nash
and he did love his pretty sister.
The man in the cane feld did not
look up until Mays white linen gown
dashed in the sunlight Then be
gazed at her. startled. and whipped
of his hat; surprise seemed to seal
his lips, for she was bonny sight on
that wonderful morning and he look
cd at her from the crown Of her
white hat to the tip Of her tan riding
boot, and drew a long breath.
May leaned from the saddle and
took courage. my good man." she
began softly. ARE you a Christian"
A startled look leaped to the mans
eyes and then he said ever 30 gently
and cdIrteously. II hope so. madam"
~ am SO glad" cried May with re-
lief. 81 hope you will pardon my ask.
ing you-only promised my pastor
out home that l would do all | could
to convert the-the-er-er-" she
paused In confusion. I!
"Heathen?" he smiled up at her.
well, II one is going to uift the
wheat from the char 1t must all be
wlnnowed. Pray don't distressa your
self, madam, have often been ad-
dressed by missionaries.
That's such q relief" sighed May
~Godd-by." 7
"Good-by." he said, and when she
turned her horse once more into the
road he bent over his work and re-
lieved her OF any embarrassment she
might have felt afterward.
ut wasn't so awfully hard. Bobby
she assured her brother as they rode
on. IF all of them we're as courteous
as that man. Why. dear, is this
your placer" as he got down and
opened a wide gate,
This is observation-disclosures TO my
home, honey" smiled Robert as they
cantered up to the wide veranda oil
the bungalow.
where is Mr. Scoville. your part
ner?" went on May. as she stood In
the sunlight
Here ne comes now" said Robert
in stifed tone.
"Wheref''
"Through the same gate that we
entered-he's been taking his morn
ing exercise in the >anefleld." Then
Bobby Leonard did not dare look Al
bis sister
"You knew who he was all the
time, Bob Leonardo! sne demanded
with rose-red cheeks and flashing
eyes.
ayes, dear-you had to have youI
lesson, May, and It better be with q
gentleman like Scoville than some i'm
pertinent stranger who can, talk bach
at You in some language you do moi
understand" apoIogized and explained
Robert. ,et
Arthur Scoville came up to tbs
veranda and was presented to MAJ
Leonard. Not once by look or sigr
did he give evidence that he had seer
her before, and his tact in passinl
over this embarrassing period wal
the beginning OF May Leonard's fall
ing in love with him.
They did fall in love with eact
other, those two. and II was onlJ
their promise to stand by Robert anC
the dye-wood industry until it's sue