The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-02-12
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine
SISTERS.
CHAPTER /.

"But you know" said Elsie, that tutor
| can not marry"
"He can be engaged" returned Clara land
wait for better times, like other people,"
every one makes such talk over Ro-
derrick Dexter" continued Elsie. Zone
would think him the only young man in the
place, by the way they go on; and | am sure
there are half dozen others that l should
| faucy quite as soon or sooner. or course he
| has a great deal of talent and principle and
| all that, but he is so awkward! His great
hands and feet distress me; there really
doesn't seem to be space for them in any room
he comes into. So different from Ned Tor
| rngton!'
'IFor shame, Elsie!" exclaimed her sister,
indignantly. "How can you compare the
two?'
'You are q very fierce champion, Clara
| wonder you don't take him for yourself if
you value him so highly"
A bright flush mounted to Clara's brow.
"You forget" she answered, "tbat he has
never given me the opportunity. 1t is not
for MY sake that he comes here so Often"
! Elsie did not see the flush. She stood be-
fore the mirror, brushing back her golden
| hair, and was too well occupied with the re-
| hected image, to note the changes of her
sisters countenance Aud in truth that i'm
age was lovely enough to justify her close
attention. The delicately chiseed features,
the heaven-blue eyes, the apple-blossom col
| orng, were mere accessories OF its beauty;
they were lit up by such look of iunocense,
of ioyousness, as is seldom see n, save in some
sweet and happy child.
| NO" she said, complacently in answer to
her sisters statement, II don't suppose it ia.
But then how am to blame? You needn't
be SO savage with me, Clara"
"Was savage? am sure did not mean
it, But certainly think you should be Sc
rious about this matter, dear. You should
decide on what you mean to do, and not
triAe with the young mans happiness. "
''Mercy on me! As if the happiness OF
such paragon could depend upon giddy
thing like mel"
'Strange as it seems" returned Clara,
smiling, Il fear we must admit the fact
Indeed, Elsie, think you only pretend to
doubt it for the pleasure of hearing it reas-
serted. "
"And if do, what of it? Where's the
use of being young and-and of being called
pretty if you cant enjoy yourself?"
"Have all the enjoyment that you can,
only don't forget the rights OF others"
" Saith the preacher. Dear Clara, what
solemn thing you are getting TO be! Really
don't be vexed-just the least little bit oi
an old maid?"
at is as we'll, perhaps, since l have the
charge of such volatile YOUNG maid.
II don. t know why you should feel it such
q charge" said Elsie, pouting. I'm sure
I'm old enough to take care of myself. A nd
as for what we were talking of, she contin
ued, while an access of displeasu-e darkened
her lovely features-"I think you are very
unreasonable. II is pretty hard if must
make mp my mind to take the very first
chance that Offers aud settle down into q
dull married woman before l have seen
enough of the world to know what / really
fancy
Clara Offer ed no defense. being well aware
from past experience that there was little use
in doing SO. She went out presently to at
tend to household matters, while Elsie re
mained to complete her decorations. 1t wa,
long task aud performed with anxious care,