Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1882-11-11
THE SISTERS.

I was at home at last, after ten
years of wandering; at home. yet
alone in the world. Though l had
everything except friends, L would
have given all for something to love,
some one to love me. A stranger In
my native place, and still an invalid
from the effects of terrible fever
which had lately Frustrated me,
dreaded living in the old house, occu-
pied only by servants.
had an uncle in the west OF Eng
land. whom / had not seen since a
child. He had married widow with
two little girls. 1 wondered if he had
vet room in his heart to find place
for the nephew he used to love. !
longed to be among friends, and
thought I might find them in Uncle
James and his family. l wrote to
him, inviting myself to go down for
short time, adding that l would
start that very day. In truth, l was
afraid to await an answer, lest some
troublesome circumstance should
shut me up at home. But when
fairly on my way / troubled myself
somewhat about my probable recep-
ton, and devoutly hoped the two
girls would be no annoyance.
It was night when / arrived.
Uncle James met me with hearty
greeting at the station, and after a
very short drive ushered me into his
drawing room and introduced me to
his wife and two daughters.
Mrs. Gray, Unc.e James wife, was
a fair-looking woman, of soft and
pleasant speech, and won my heart
Immediately by her gentle, motherly
ways. Bel, the eldest daughter, was
a tall, graceful girl, with fair COM
plexion, clear, dark eyes, and beauti-
full hands that toyed gracefully with
the knitting she seemed to be intent
on. Icould not help watching them.
Indeed, was so much taken up by
thoughts of Bel, that ! scarcely
bestowed a second glance upon
Ethel, the second daughter. who need
not have been contrasted with Bells
beauty to be called plain. At supper,
waich was soon announced, l could
but notice the difference between the
two. Ethel was not only plain, but
exceedingly awkward, while Bel was
the embodiment of grace. Uncle
James and Aunt Mary talked to me
about my travels, my lonely return,
and other things; but I'm sure !
couldn't have repeated word the
next moment SO perfectly engrossed
was I by the beautiful eldest daugh-
ter.
The seat of the summer was gone,
and it was the pleasantest time in
the year for the lorg, delightful ram
bles which we took over field and
hill. Ethel scarcely ever, accompan-
led us; but one day we all had been
rambling in the wood that skirted
the Round Pond, beautiful sheet OF
water that lay near my uncle's resi-
dence, and as we strolled homeward
we stopped 10 look over the bank
into its quiet depths.
"Oh," said Bel, "Do you see those
beautiful flowers further down over
the banki How fresh and bright
they look! Can you not get me somes 2"
-Oh, Bel, it's dangerous" said
Ethel. "The bank is steep, and he
would be sure to fall"
Before Ethel had finished her re-
monstrance ! was halfway down.
holding branches, and grasping for
the flowers. The bank was not only
steep, but there was no firm foothold
on it. / slipped and fell.
-
awoke. and lay languidly on my
pillow, without wish or power to
raise my head. Suddenly voices in
the next room met my ear, and I
could but hear what they were say
NDo, Bel, go in and stay with him
while help mother finish this" said
Ethel, " for I'm afraid he may need
something"
"Pooh! he will not know it If he
does" replied Bel. - He is delirious.
How can I read in there, and he all
the time raving about somebody or
otherr
"Oh, for shame, Belr said Ethel.
"You know he means you. When
he was we'll, You were glad to lay by
your book, interesting as it might be,
or him"
"Of course" said Bel; land shall
be again, when he comes to his
senses. He is rich and worth put
ting up ones book for. But If you
think I'm going in there to read now,
you are mistaken; so go yourself, If
you're afraid to leave him alone"
/ heard soft football in my room;
then some one bent over me Il had
shut my eyes as though sleeping),
and close to my forehead was bent
soft cheek-moist, too! It was only
for moment, but it thrilled me.
knowing those tears lad fallen for
me. As she turned to go noiselessly
ont ] opened my eyes. Yes, it was
Ethel gliding softly away. heard
her say as she entered the other
ROOM,
"Oh, Bel, he is sleeping sweetly.
] am so thankful! Now I'll help
mother finish her work, and then I'll
come and sit by him while he sleeps."
:" No You needn't" said Bel. "Pll
80 and change my dress and arrange