Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1882-12-21
MY SISTERS LOVER.

my haf-open window came stealing a
soft wind, filled with Summer warmth
and Summer fragrance. The trees in
the garden were full of blossoms. The
early roses were in bloom, but of all this
1 saw nothing. My gaze was fixed up
on two figures slowly walking down the
garden-path-a man and a woman.
The man was tall, and strong, and
masterful, yet tender as a mother with
her first-born, gentle as a girl in all the
little acts and courtesies Of life. The
woman was young and very beautiful,
with figure slender and swaying like
a reed as she walked, and dark, lustrous
eyes, which brought to many a man his
hearts undoing.
Ifaneied the light in them now, as
she lifted them to Geoffry Branscombe's
face. He was her guardian, and he
loved her. She was but my half-sister,
five years my senior, and so was not
entitled to her confidence. Indeed. on
iy little month ago I had returned
from school, with my education COM
pleted, in the fashionable sense of the
term, and since then had been very i'll.
Over-study, the doctor had said, but I
knew better. To my own soul could
whisper the humiliating truth, could
pour out the cruel confession, with a
sort of savage pleasure at the self-in-
flicted torture.
1t was my heart, not the body, that
suffered-the heart that had for ever
passed into Geoffry Branscombe's. un-
conscious keeping l loved him--he
who was to be my sisters husband. If
I had never suspected it before, Ishould
have known it by the new light in her
eyes, the new radiance of her beauty,
as it burst upon me on the day of my
return.
that things should be as they We're? Did
not guardians always love their wards,
and wards their guardians?
had never read book which treat
ed of such relationship in which such
was not the sequel of the tale. And
yet-and yet, did it make it easier for
me to bear?
turned my gaze away from that
other picture, and lifted myself up from
the depths of the great chair in which
lay, until could catch a glimpse of
my own face in the mirror opposite.
What contrast! My eyes, the only
beauty possessed, looked many times
too large for the thin. dark face; and
nv hair, which had been the rival beau
ty to my eyes, was close cropped to my
They had cut it off as I lay delirious
with fever. and crying that its weight
hurt me.
sank back, with groan. At that
instant my sister, returning, entered the
room.
"Mabel," she mabel. darling,
am SO happyr'
And rapidly crossing the floor, she
sank down on her knees beside my
chair.
The contrast was too great. Never
had seen her half so beautiful.
Don't tell me--don't?' hastily ex-
claimed, and lifted up my hand, as il
to ward off blow. II know" con.
tinued. Il congratulate you: but don't
say any more"
"You know, dearP" she answered, q
loof; of surprise sweeping over her face.
"How is that possible?"
Don't ask me. Only, know.
But could say no more. My weak
! ness conquered my strength, and
burst into bitter weeping.
"Poor child! Dear little .Mabelr' she
whispered, tenderly. DO you love mt
so well that you hate TO lose meP But
you will not really lose me, dear. Wher
/ am married."
"Hushr' interrupted. Il won't hea
any more," and, sobbing bitterly, buri
cd my face in my hands.
/ OF course no heroine would have don,
such thing; but was no heroine.
was only a foolish child, who had live,
but eighteen years, and who could only
look forward to a long, long life OF lone
ly misery-for loved Geoffry.
He had not meant to make me low
bim-I know that; but when l ha'
come home for my Christmas holidays
Alice had been away on visit, and s.
had seen him every day. We had rid
den, and driven, and walked together
and, as have said, his manner he'll
that unconscious and inherent tender
ness toward things weaker than him
self which had charmed my heart int
recklessness pouring forth its unheede
treasures at his feet.
1 MY excitement in repressing all thi:
and seeing the seal set upon my rniser,
} brought its own punishment For
week my life was again despaired Of.
Then. because / did not wish th
boon, strength came slowly back. E,
eryday he came; everyday he sent m
4 flowers. or fruit, or some sweet me
, sage; but it was all an added torture:
At last. when I grew better, the phi.
sicians said / must have change, and {
, they sent me to the seaside, to visit a
aunt who had house at Worthing.
Twas glad to go. Had l stayed
. home, should have gone mad. Alis
ii Mr.. Branscombe went with me
, the train. had bade her good-by
and the train was just about to star
q when be put his head in through Il
window.