, 1885-10-18
SISTER JESSICA.


1t was a rainy day. A train was
waiting at the Union depot. A lady
an gentleman stood neal the door Of
the ladies' waiting-room, while another
lady, muffed in a gossamer, sat on a
bench in a corner
How you can call her pretty or Iowa
bic, passes my comprehension, the
lady was saying TO the gentleman, in
tones indicative of extreme scorn and
disgust.
II W Jessica is somewhat under tho
weather to-day, hguratively and liter.
ally, said the gentleman, amusedly,
giving a quizzieal glance at the lady
over in the corner. Very few ladies
look their best when they have a cold,
and when a chilly rain is doing its best
to make it worse.
well, trains wait for no one, so, if
you will be so kind as to put me on
mine, Brother Raymond, I'll leave you
to Jessica's tender mercies. Don't for
get 10 tell Catherine that | utterly dis
approve of her sister Jessica.
Very well, I'll not forget to tell her,
he retorted, in a smothered voice.
At which Mrs. stenby looked at him
suspiciously. Was it possible her
brother was laughing at her, Iler-the
wealthy, the exclusive, the tasteful
Mrs. Stenby, whose dictum wa always
considered infalliblc: Very well, let
him laugh
After putting his offended and un-
wieldy plump sister aboard the train,
and bidding her a hasty goodbye. Ray
mond La Bruce returned to the forlorn
little figure sitting in its corner.
~ our sister did not like mel know
she did not" said a plaintiye voice,
hoarsely.
''Jessica, You must tax oil that ridic-
qlouS gossamer at once, Raymond au-
t%horitatively commanded, not replying
to her complaint.
why she asked. looking up inno-
Gently.
1T is no longer necessary. Our train
will o o be in, and We shall lie exposed
to no more rain. will get you u cup
of coffee at once, aud you must wrap mp
well in this afghan. ~
Thanks, she answered, as well as
she could between Two sneezes.
Jessica Cler had not long been out of
school, and had been visiting a school
friend. She was on her way to her mar
ried sister = house, which was her home.
Raymond's own sister, Mrs. stenby,
had been visiting him, and he had come
up from the country with her on an
eastern-bound train to the MON depot
III l.. where he also expected to meet
Jessica Cler.
Jessie came and met Mrs. Stenby.
who was not charmed with her, which
was not after the manner of other peo-
pie, for Jessica made friends wherever
she went. Raymond La Bruce and his
wife, Catherine, Jessica's sister, adored
her, and thought there was non like
her. Perhaps it WA because she had
heard the girls praises so constantly
sung that Mrs. Stenby found no beauty
in this girls peachy complexion, wavy
brown hair and p%ellucid brown eyes.
Jessica stood up at Raymond's COM
mand, and he Invested her of the o end
ing waterproof. When it was removed
there was revealed a rounded, girlish
form, clad in a dark-green serge, while
her d%ark-green Derby was adorned by II
single iridescent wing.
Now you look more like a civilized
being" commented Raymond, as he
wrapped a long, soft afghan about her
Then he went away for the coffee.
iOh 4 NNi1 bOphf nhb ohihs bldAb-
fully, rs she slipped the steaming cup
And you have been very naughty.
Now confess and tell me at once what
you have been doing TO contract hat
cold;'
Nothing at all.
But you have, and | shall write at
once to Mrs. Curtis and tell her, if she
can't take better care of you han this,
l shall forbid you ever visiting her
again
Under such a terrible threat, | must
confess TO playing the Newfoundland
again, - the girl %laughingly explained.
''hescuing some dirty ragamufin
from a watery grave at the risk of your
own life, Very. well, we shall see what
Catherine will have to say to you |
hope she will sco,dyou severely" Ray.
mond said, himself frowning as Sc
verely on the girl as he could, whom he
thought to be the sweetest sister in the
world.
Catherine will say / am right-as l
always am, retorted Jessica, auda-
eiously.
you are a conceited little puss,
Come, there is our train for homen'
and then they hurried out and scram-
bled on their train.
Catherine did not scold Jessica for
rescuing the unfortunate little boy of
her friend from drowning, but she had
to hear all OF the particulars-after she
had put Jessica TO bed.
II would not lot Stella write you of
my bravo deed, as she called it; and rs
| felt no i'll effects from it except this
cold | insisted on coming home Mt the
appointed time in spite of her remon.
strances. ~ related the damsel.
Catherine regarded her gravely.
Some of these days you will sacrifice
your life for another's.
Don predict such a gloomy end foI
me, Jessica laughed. Now, | think.
il ym will so away, | can go to sleep,
and in the morning | shall be well.
II.
Jessica soon recovered from the effects
Of her icy bath, and was her old win
some self.
I nconsciously to himself, Raymond
La Bruce drlfted into thinking more
OF his sweet sister than was good lOr
his peace of mind. II she were absent,
he chafed visibly till her return. Whom
she laughingly related her conquests, at
festivities. Of masculine hearts for she
was very gay that winter-he foun
himself regarding Ter with gloomy
brows.
II really think Jessiea is becoming
serious over Tom langtree's offer OF
marriage, and hope that she will act
like a sensible girl, and take him.
why: Are you tired OF your own
sister! Raymond asked, he It ssvagely,
but still going Oh with his shaving.
Catherine sat by the CHEEKY fire
warming her pink palms. At Bay
mond's question she turned her blue
eyes upon him Nonderingly.
Why Raymond, how absurd you
are sometimes J declare, you have so
CoMo IN HoRsEs.- Chamberlain