The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1871-11-15

ing that she could never guess how hardly ]
had schooled myself to this.
Presently Frank passed out through the
open window, and Lettice, looking after
him. raised her eyes 9uestioningly TO me.
"You think us all changed, l suppose.
Max. Even Frank?'
Yes, ] answered absently.
"But have you not seen sister Amy yet"
she went on, smiling. "She of course is
most changed of all. Frank is gone to
fetch her, 1 fancy. He says she is like what
l was at her age, bnt that is only his pleas
ing flattery, for she is very, very pretty"
followed her words dreamily, wondering
whether it really could be seven years since
Lettuce and 1 stood talking to each other
last, while l felt how impossible it was that
the little one whom we had all combined to
pet and spoil could be at all what Lettice
was in those sweet old days.
Prank seemed to know exactly where
she would be-" Lettice went on, a little ner-
vOusly, | fancied in my silence. "YOu re-
member the low old seat under the lilacs,
Max? Amy is as found Of sitting there as
| used to be when | was her age. You used
10 say, too, that you loved to rest there on a
Summer evening; but you have been away
SO long, doing SO much, that those old
memories will be all buried now?"
Yes. They are all buried" | answer
ed, feeling the scarlet mount into my face
to contradict the GOODNESS of my words.
She smiled a little wistful smile. which
mad n strange, brave tenderness in it..
Il too have lived seven years since then, -
| she said "but the old memories are dear
TO me, Max. and | would not bury them for
all the world"
because II is so different with you and
me-" / faltered. IL think / have nc
courage left. How long Frank stays"
~ see them IN the lower garden now,'
she answered gently, looking away from
me as l struggled with my pam.
"How quickly Amy would have run into
greet me In the old times" l said, speaking
once more as l had schooled myself to do
only that a little bitterness would creep into
the tone.
yes" laughed, Iettice, softly, "but she
will not come this evening without Frank.
She asked me to-day If you would think
so much younger than he is; SO ignorant
and untried, she said"
In the b~cwildered, breathless silence
which followed Lettlce's words she looked
up at me: deep shadows gathered In her
eyes, as IL she too felt the agony OF the
doubt aud hope which stirred me.
"Do you think Frank has chosen
wisely, Max, in taking my little sister 2" she
asked, speaking plainly the truth, which she
hucW INV tuhG L Idu uSNcI ucdTus
"Lettice-Lettice, is 1t so, "Istammered,
my fingers tight upon the chair below me,
and my heart beating wildly.
Eyes, Max. " she answered, "i it is So.
And l knew she could read the whole story
of my deep and lasting love written in my
quivering face.
And you, Lettice?"
81" she answered, in a bright, low tone
81 have waited"
Then l covered my face hurriedly, for
boyish tears had overlooked my eyes in the
untold joy Of this surprise.
MAX" she whispered, her gentle touch
upon my arm, :" 1 thought You knew this,
and had come for their sakes."
"NO, not for their sakes, Lettice; 70.
Franks and yours"
"Why for my sake p she asked, tears
shining in her own eyes rs she looked
brightly into mine.
Then low and brokenly. | told her of my
love /; the long, hopeless love which would
her little gentle hands on mine, and O
deep, true gladness shining behind the
tears:
MAX, dear Max, I am very glad that 1
waited"
4 y Z :
"Max," said Frank, that night after We
got home, So may | have III, old plate put
Dack upon the door
We both laughed at the Idea, for Frank
was DIR. Hamilton now, and | had hall a
dozen letters after my name. but We took a
candle and went off at once TO lind il.
Frank-sitting down and taking it upon his
knee-brushing the thick dust from it quite
tenderly !; while i, leaning over his shoull-
er, read the letters as he cleaned.
Hamilton Brothers, 1t does not do
Frank and yet thank cd for the truth it
tells. We are brothers still; we will be
brothers to the end.