Daily Republican., 1885-05-15
SISTER HETTY.
BY CHARLOTTE M. STANLEY.

Ok OhAhAOIln ms 6lA0hEIs
Hotty and I were half sisters and or.
phans. Hetty being fifteen years older
than my self, . widow, and possessed Of
an ample fortune, whilst had nothing
save what owed to her generosity 1t
the age Of seventeen had to thank her
for almost mothers love and care, an
excellent education, happy home, and
the prospect and promise Of . generous
portion on my wedding.day, provided
always that I should marry In accord
ance with her wishes.
But, alas that seemed little likely.
l loved Charlie Wilmer-dear, hand
some, merry Charlie. Who could help
loving the charming fellow? Even
Hetty herself was not quite proof
against him. Hope had been sinking
very low In my heart, but it suddenly
sprang up to life again ~ ] watched
her grave and lovely face-while
Charlie was pleading our cause 80 clio.
quently-and noted the expression
change, and soften from stern distavor
her answer was still tho same, though
uttered in gentler tone.
Never, with my consent, Mr.. VIII.
mer--hever."
Charles tone grew even more earnest
than before, % he said:
AT least you will tell me upon
what grounds you object to me as hus-
band for Grace. would try hard 10
amond my faults II you will point them
out to me-"
Poor, dear fellow I couldn't see
that he he had any faults at all.
81 do not object to you personally"
answered Hetty, gently. "The little 1
have seen Of you has impressed me
most favorably; but" she paused,
long, long eloquent pause, that made
me fear what was to follow; her beauti
full, dark eyes were fixed upon his face
with world of sadness in her depths,
then they turned on me, and she drew
me to her bosom, p" my life has been q
lonely ono for years, Mr.. Wilmer, and
An unhappy one since my girlhood.
Gracie's companionship and love has
been one ray of sunshine that has cheer.
cd 1t. And why? Because when l
was young and bright as she is now,
also loved-one Of your name and blood
trusted my happiness into his keep
ing, trusted, and was deceived. Re
membering this as bitterly rs do, l
will not give you Oracle. i"
"You think deceit and perjury are
family traits Of the Winners, then?"
said Charlie, flushing red. " What
relative OF mine wronged you 20 deeply,
madam"
| That you will never learn from me,
sir. Let the dead past rest, But !
believed him-as all girls believe Of
honor. My whole heart was given to
him, and our marriage day was fixed.
| Scarcely more than q week before 1t
arrived, he suddenly left the place,
without q word, without line Of ex-
PLANTATION, This was strange, but
| would as soon have thought of doubling
Heaven as him.
81 waited patiently. The days few
by, my preparations were completed,
the wedding day arrived, and passed
without him. I speak calmly Of all
this now. 1t Ii long, long ago."
i Her face was white as death, and
her eyes cleaned like fire. My heart
ached as looked at her.
" But suffered then, oh suffered
terribly. loved and my heart was
broken. l was proud, and my pride
was humbled to tho very dust. One
day paper reached me 1t contained
the announcement of my lovers mar
riage Yes. Grace" my hand had
; stolen into hers she pressed 1t con
vulsively, Eyes, child, was discarded
cast off by the man who had won IN,
hearts own true love.
at was bitter, bnt I lived through
. 1t, somehow, and married another, wit
2 had long loved me. Married him i'm
= I'D ediately, the day after heard thu
Icruel news. None could say that
Z pined for my faino lover. And then
= with my husband, l left the country
never heard more Of the man who 81
: Icruelly deceived nae. know not II b.
!. be alive or dead.
!. Her arm stole round my waist.
"Even you, Oracle, have neve
J. known this portion of my history
z When you were ten years old GU
: parents died and left you to my care
!, / was o widow then. lonely, childless
!. rich; and welcomed you joyfully Il
i heart and home. Do you wonder, now
Q that the name of Wilmer holds bite
}. memories for me, or that l shrink from
Having my little Oracle bear 1t ?"
81 My tears were falling silently ant
o fast. was 30 grieved for sister Hetty'
., wrongs, SO sorry for myself and Char
lie.
XII Surely 1t was hard that we must sui
y fer because some one. years before, ha.
played the villain. put Hetty's soft
white hand to my lips, and feeling G
N wonder stole over me.
eI How could any man, having eyes an
d sense, treat my beautiful sister SO ? Fo
lHetiy was very handsome, of stately
81 noble loveliness
vi What must she have been then, i
Dt those girlish days, when her beaut
was fresh and young Positively,
: began to lose sight of her false lover
~ villainy, in my sincers wonder at b
O. dense stupidity.
How could Hetty ever have love
-.lsuch fellow ut all? just then Cha
- lie, who had evidently beat
". silently pondering the story he ha
heard, broke out suddenly:
~ "It Is cruel story. You have bee
u y shamefully betrayed, Mrs. Seymour
los If there has been no mistake. Parde
me, however. II ] find 1t difficult
:. believe that any man could be at on
~ 10 great knave and 80 blind fool
ssN (Clever fellow! my own thought Q
- Iactly.) Your own action was
Il. lhasty, your departure SO immediat
PSI your residence abroad 80 long, that "
gave no time for explanations tn
IS otherwise might have reached yen
4. there may have be n tome territ
Misunderstanding. But, in any cas-
N. lis it Just to make Oracle and myst
e!- the victims of another's fault? I ha
a brother, many years older than IN,
, :, self, who has been also my guardian
SIS promise me that you will receive hi
.0' madam, and let him plead my [ caul
= Harry is 80 good"
rel Harry ?" she interrupted hastil.
stt Harry Wilmer, Of Winners Grapg
III Lpeu him nun2-uO. nc. i will 4