The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-11-26
A SISTERS STORY.


For, surely, why should she be,
when [ was so very different? Only
her kind, loving heart could make
her so. But, Davie, you are worse
than ineorrigible not to have told me
this before"
" DON'T be cross, little motherS
there is no scope for. your celebrated
housekeeping talents to display them
selves tonight. 1t was 10 antlclpa-
ton Of mighty preparations. on your
part, I'm sure, that Hope said so en-
phatically that they could hardly stay
a minute, as dinner would be waiting
for them at home"
What a comfort it will be to have
them back" said Winnie again.
The whole country looks desolate
round Oakley Court when they are
away Erie, your rides to Upton are
more pleasant when you can call
there, aren't they?'
Erle had seated himself at the
piano, and Winnie stood beside him.
As she srcke ne looked up-still
playing-an0 nodded, with a strange
bright light in his eyes.
Sing one of my songs, Erie, she
whispered coaxiBgly, and he struck
into the symphony Of The Minstrel
Boy" As he began to sing, l heard
carriage wheels pass under the win
d0Ws. I knew David heard them,
too. because he lost the restless look
he had had while talking to me, and
grew quite still and quiet. Erie and
Winnie heard nothing but the music,
and as they were TAR away from the
door, they never even turned as David
opened it.
Twelve years. with their lights and
shadows, with their waiting and hop
ing, have passed me by since that
night; but before now, as clear as
then, comes the picture that l saw
when Hope came In among as, in her
youth and radiant beauty.
Passing David with smile, she
took both my hands, and kissed me
eagerly. | held her from me with a
strange intent look into her face while
she blushed little soft bright blush.
Still | held her, fascinating her to
look at me, for 1 would not have her
turn and sect did not matter that
| should see-how white David's face
had grown, and how he strove to hide
the trembling Of his lips.
1t did not matter that l should see
that Erie was watching him-a new
light breaking upon his face-a new
sorrow, strange half-comprehended
sorrow-in the eager, flushed face,
and tender, passionate eyes.
. Looking back, / know that one
glance had fixed it on my mind for
ever Then | thought | saw them all
the time [ gazed In Hopes face.
Are there many changes, Fife, in
these long four months?" She asked
it laughing, but l could not answer
so. The little slender figure standing
before me was as graceful as ever;
the large eyes were as bright and
deep; the waving dark hair just as
usual round the dainty little face with
It's changing light; and yet there was
a change, and [ knew what it was.
That night | read its secret as
theirs; but / answered her quite
lightly: David seemed so uncertain
whether you were changed, that
thought must look for myself"
She turned to greet Erie and Win
ME as she asked quietly, And are
you uncertain tooY
NO" L said, almost hastily, not
at all"
Then we talked all together for
little, till Erie turned aside
with Mr.. st. George; Hope fol
lowed him with her eyes. How
we'll he looks tonight Efie
you can hardly feel anxious abou
him now" she said, in her low, earn
est voice How different he is tC
most men one meetsW
| did not wonder that she said it.
but the light in his dark eyes aweC
me strangely, and | could not answer
Then we spoke Of my picture and o
their journey. We are all yer.
much Obliged to the trial for bringin
L l.
but | hope you won't go back whel
it is over"
Hope shall decide" he said, look
ing down upon her. Il am afrai
she will not let me rest. / shout
not like her to hear me tell you, but
assure you [ heard her promise Gel
tain Austrian cavalier to be bac
again within mouth"
Never shall | forget that mOmen
could | live to forget all elsel l car
not try to tell the dead, despairin
feeling that seemed to fall upon m
My first quick thought was, that
must not look at Erie or David, yet
saw the two faces more clearly,
seemed to me, than | had ever dol
before. The still, white agony
Fries shocked me even less than Il
firm, compressed determination
OedIs 80 StAdHS0 OH lawn AA~A
lips.
There was nothing could be hidd,
after thatl 1t was only minute
fore Hope touched her fathers arr
IF you must make remarks, plea
try to make them Ineligible, sir
what do you meanp He laugh
heartily. =" mean that 1 heard b
ask you, aud that you said you wou
indeed, if your poor old father cou
be induced to listen to reason"
Z" And why, papa2-tell that.
Because he thought you we
necessary to him..
Efie, don't listen to his no
sense" really anxious look was
her face, though she tried to smi
1.-THE Austrian cavalier is an old g
tleman, older than himself, with
delicate, helpless young wife. who
taken fancy for me, and Is happ
with me than with most people; a
she is so anxious to come to Engla
that We said, if he did not bring b
we would 60 and fetch them"
So that was all, and the lesson b
been needlessly learned; but tn
more than ever, [ felt | could
look at them, and I joined nervoU
In the conversation till they left us
. What was the matter, Effe
what was the matter-~i4h MS al
asked Winnie, pushing back
bright hair, as she came to wish
good night. ." did not enjoy
I;sit Of all-did Won 2''