Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-02-10

nerselr again and again, defending ner-
self against Rodney's fathers possible
wrath when the news of his sons mar
rage TO a typewriter should be broken
gently to him.
The quarrel came, as quarrels ana
April showers are apt to do out OF
clear and serene sky. In the genera
iubilation over Brown & James Rod
new had remarked, escorting Mary up
town at night. that now the first tning
he was going to do with his share OF
the profits was to pay her back that
! $1,000.
"And then" he added sententiously.
there won't be anything between US
any more"
Something in the tone of his voice.
quite unintentional on the boys part
no doubt, had piqued Mary.
you've always fused about that
she said.
Something in the way she said the
word fused piqued Rodney.
And don't you think it's been some
thing to fuss about?" he demanded
when a fellows best girl. his iancee,
takes money from rich old man. ana
then the fellow lets her lose it all in his
business-well. | don't see why you
can't see that the situations pretty
raw"
"Why do you say lost? hope you
don't think it's really lost" retorted
Mary. Don't be such gloomy Gus.
well. you know what | mean per-
sisted Rodney. 1T was darned near
lost And that shows you do care
about it anyway"
"Why shouldn't l care about it?'
said Mary Indeed | think $4,000 is a
good deal Of money"
~ think it's whole lot Of money"
said Rodney. land you must excuse me
If can't help wondering how girl
in your position was able to get hold
of it."
"a girl in my position" echoed Mary
scornfully. That's right. Rub 1t In.
I'm really ashamed Of you. Rodney
Martin. And you know perfectly well
wasn't born a typewriter"
'.Iary," he said, trying to be perfect
ly calm and persuasive, tell me now.
/ You know we shall be happier
Il don't know it at all, said Mary
obstinately.
MARY, please" he said, trying to
take her hand.
NO." said Mary, 81 don't believe
you'd like me if you knew"
The long, uniform rows of New York
house fronts stretched away on either
side of them in the obscurity. A red
light twinkled in one bay window, and
beneath the shade could be seen the
rows of books in a library. Near the
curb opposite an extraordinarily silent
limousine had just drawn up, with
little swish of its rubber tires as 1t
came to rest, and presently a man and
woman In joyous evening raiment
came out of the house and got into it.
The woman wore 8 perfectly gor-
geous opera cloak. and combs flashed
in her beautifully arranged hair. The
mans linen was very white and his
silk hat very shiny The chauffeur had
switched Oh the light inside the car,
and the occupants showed moment
brilliantly In the jewel box of its In
terror before the light went out and
the car moved off again, west and
south, to the haunts Of pleasure, as
Ambrose Peale would have said. A
,hrob and a sob came into Mary
Toice as she saw it all, and she an
swered again:
you might hate me. And I'm tax
ing YOU away from all that, which was
yours by right"
Come in q moment" said Rodney
gently and kindly.
They climbed the stairs together, and
West Indian "butler" let them in.
Rodney drew Mary into a hideous little
reception room on the ground floor
took both the girls hands in his and
: looked earnestly into her lovely eyes.
r you're the finest girl IN the world.
Mary" he said "and nothing could
r ever turn me against you"
e In the Ill lighted, Ill ventilated little
. parlor. Illuminated for them with loves
= thousand eyes. the truth came out
: Mary told the whole story from the
S beginning. not without some humor
e and not without some satisfaction al
certain portions of 1t, It must be con
e fessed; told of old Mr. Martins fret.
e ting about Ellery Clark. Of the BET
= with Ellery's father. OF her share in
/ the deception and OF her reward in
4 money.
: "what do I care II you really love
me-" protested Rodney. MARY. now
r you must marry me-"
I That was a Thursday, and by Fri
day night they were married, so that
r they could have two days Of honey
+ moon. anyway, before Monday Rod
e ney said. II was all very quietly ar
j. ranged I'm fhe little church.