Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-11-03
VOL XIV. NEW SERIES, VOL. XVIII

than he was. The face that had been almost
child like in its sunny beauty was woman s
lace now; deeper and graver, but infinitely
more beautiful, thought.as | saw its old
bright sunny smile still there She looked
up at Frank, wonderful light shining in
her eyes,
Now you have all you wish, Frank size
said. And ielt that she was as happy in
his love as he was in hers. | stood beside
them talking in laughing, genial tones; hop
ing that she could never guess how hardly /
had schooled myself to this.
Presently Frank passed out through the
open window, and Letiice, looking after him
raised her eyes questioniugly to me.
You think us all changed, / suppose, Max.
Even Frank?'
Yes answered absently.
But you have not seen sister Amy yet
she went on, smiling She of course is most
changed of all. Frank is gone to fetch her,
! fancy. lie says she is like what was at
her age, but that is only his pleasing fattery,
Tor she Is very, very pretty
followed her words dreamily. wondering
whether it could really he seven years since
Lettice nd | stood talking to each other last.
while felt how impossible it was that the
little one whom we had all combined to pet
and spoil could be at all what Lettiee was in
those sweet old DAYS.
Frank seemed to know exactly where she
would be, 'Lettice went on, a little nervously,
iancied in my silence. You remember the
low seat under the lilaCs, Max? Amy is
as lond OF sitting there as-i used 10 be when
| was her age. You used to say, too, that
you loved to rest there on 2 summer evening:
but you have been away 50 long. doing Sd
much, that those old memories will be all
buried now?'
Yes. They are all buried answered.
feeling the scarlet mount into nv face to
contradict the coolncss Of my words.
She smiled a wistiul smile. which had a
had strange brave tenderness in it.
i too have lived seven years since then
she said but the old memories are dear to
me, Max, and would no; bury them for all
the world.
Because it Is so different with you and
me- | ialtored. IL think have no cour-
age left. How long Frank stays
4 see them in the lower garden now,' she
answered gently, looking away from me as |
struggled with my pain.
How quickly Amy would have run in to
greet me IN the old times. said speaking
once more as had schoolcd myself to do;
only hat little bitterness would creep into
the tone.
Yes, laughed Let;ioe. softly. but she
Will not come this evening without Frank
She had been quite timid about your return.
She asked me to-day if You would think
Frank had chosen unwisely because she is SO
much younger than he is; SO ignorant and
untried, she said
In the bewildered brcathless silence which
followed Lcttice's words, she looked up at
nc; deep shadows gathering in her eyes. as
if she too felt the agony of the doubt and
hone which stirred me-
Do You think Frank has chosen wisely
Max, ia taking my little sisterg she asked
speaking plainly the truth. which she knew
now that ! had never heard.
'Lottice-Leuice, is its5T | stammcrcd
my fingers tight upon the chair below me,
and my heart beating wildly.
Yes, Max. she answered, 1T is So. And
/ knew she could read the whole story Of my
deep and lasting love written IN my quiyer-
ing face.
And You. LatticeT
4. she answered. ina bright, loss t5ao-
] have waited.
Then covered my face hurriedly; Tor boy
ish tears had overlowed my eyes in the UNI
tod joy of this surprise.
Max She whispered. her gentle touch
upon my arm. Il thought YOU knew this, and
had come ior their sakcs'
No not for their sakcs. Lettice for
Frank and yours.
why for my sake ?'shc asked. tears shin .
ing in her 0wn eyes as she looked brightly n
to mine.
Then low and bokenly. toll her OF my
love. the long, hopeless love which would
not die. And al last she answered. with her
little gentle bands on mine, and a deep true
C.ldnoss shining behind the tears.
Max, dear Max, am very glad waited.
Max. said Frank that night after we got
home, may have the Old plate put back
upon the door E
We both laughed az the idea for Frank
Was Dr. Hamilton now and | had half a doz-
en- letters after my name; but we took can .
die and went of az once % find it. Frank
sitting down and taking !, upon his knee
brushed the thick dust from il quite tender
Iy; while l. Gaming over hIs shoulder, read
the letters as he cleaned.
Hamilton Brothers does DOT a1.
Frank; aud vet thank God f5r the truth J..
tells. We are brothers still W. viii De
brothers TO the end