The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-10
SISTER ELIZABETH.

maiden of th1rty-fve, than the conscious
ness that others begin to consider her too
old for the society of young people. 1t
is laying on the shelf that is by no
means agreeable. Es.t.., II
At least, such was my feeling as l
glanced at the invitations to a little
moonlight excursion on the lake, which
were handed in by John, while we were
seated by our cosy breakfast-tab in
Snow Cottage one lovely morning in
June. The note was directed to Miss
Lottie and Miss Cornie Whitaker, not
addressed, as previous envelopes had
been, to the Misses Whitaker, which
would, of course, include Elizabeth Whit
taker, spinster. The last word announc-
ed almost audibly, with bitter smile,
which attracted the attention Of my pet,
Cornie, who said, tenderly-
Sister Elizabeth, does your head ache
this morning2'
How my heart yearned over that favor
lite sister of mine, the very image of her
lost father! We were now laying aside
the sable robes worn for three years in
token of our loss; but it seems to me I
should always wear the calm sober tints
OF second mourning, and in my inmost
soul the memory of that idolized parent
would ever be enshrined.
My own mother I cannot remember;
she dropped and faded while 1 was an
infant; and my step-mother, kind and in
dulgent as she ever was to me, was not
one to call forth the ardent affection that
but few had power to awaken in nv
heart. Gentle, dignifed and reserved,
she had bequeathed these same charac-
teristics to her eldest child, the golden
haired Lottie.
But Cornle was like our father; the
same buoyant spirit, strong will, and I'M.
pulslve affection, the same dark, curling
hair. and eyes of laughing blue.
thought Of all this as I watched her
on that June morning, and recalled how
| had been second time orphaned when
her mother was taken from us fifteen
years ago. Since that time, when Cornie
was four years old, she had been to me
as much a daughter as sister.
Lottie, who was five years her senior.
had always been so selt-reliant and wo-
manly, that I could never regard her as
needing that loving watchfulness and
.cagt BAT our younger sister seemed to
require; and the relation between us two
could never be 50 tender and attectionate.
AS reflected thus long after we left
the breakfast room, and were seated in
our little morning parlor, reasoned
with myself that it was but natural than
should be omitted in the plans for en-
joyment formed by the young people of
Caldwell. The mothers were not invited
with the daughters. Why should I ex-
pect to go with Cornie, my sister child?
These reflections made me more calm
and content, and I could bid my sisters
smiling adieu when they left me early
in the evening.
Cornie came back to give me second
kiss, and whispered, II wish you were
going too, you old darlingv
"Olap I repeated to myself. Yes,
that is the word
And that night I looked more atten-
lively than was my want into my mirror,
and tried to realize that I deserved the
epithet. But saw no threads of silver
in my dark heavy braids, and but few
lines OF care on my fair, broad forehead.
Anyhow, my heart felt young, and with
sigh tried to realize that must &C.
cept the position in which of necessity I
was placed.
The next morning my sisters were Gag
er in their recltals Of the charming walk
and the delightful sail by moonlight.
There had been pleasant company.
oh, Elizabeth said Cornie do you
know we saw an old friend of yours? And
he is coming to call on you to day.
AN old friend of nine?' I quer1ed
Yes Lottie, Mr. LOTUS; he is visit
ing at the Arments,' and has just returned
from a long foreign tour .:
will LOTUS! exclaimed. is it pos
sible?' ....'.
I felt the warm blood tingling in my
cheeks as if had been only fifteen, in:
stead Of five and thirty. Memory was
busy recalling the long-vanished summer,
and how often I used to see my boy low
er, since lost sight of for many years.
Ours had been one Of those youthful at
tachments which but seldom ripen into
first and only love. They are often but
"the prelude to the strain, before the
song is sung We were ON the verge of
an engagement when Will was suddenly
recalled to his distant home, and I had
seen him no more. Yet, foolish as it
may have been, had always kept one
corner Of my heart sacred to his name,
and 1t was with strange thrill that l
heard ne was again near me, and that I
soon should see HIM.
/ That day he called with his friend,
Harry Mills. He was tall, fine looking
man, polished, refined, and fascinating
IN hissmanners. could hardly identify
him with the slender youth that I had
once known; but he referred so graceful
~ to our former acquaintance, and ex.
pressed so much pleasure at renewing
the intercourse so suddenly interrupted,
that felt at perfect ease.
How pleasant the days were that fol-
lowed. We called each other 'Will' and
Lizzie in the most friendly way, and
Lottie and Cornle seemed already
to regard him in very sisterly
manner. We read, and walked, and
talked, and laughed. And night after
night his deep, rich voice would accom-