The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-02-12
A WRONG RIGHTBD.

."of what is my little sister thinkingi
Methinks it is Of something pleasant,
julging by the smiles that have been
coming and going over her tell-tale face
for the last few minutes"
Madge looked up with an expression of
surprise in her soft brown eyes. why,
Claire, how long have you been here7
thought you were still IN the parlor en-
tertajning Mr.. Anstruther. Hasn't some
one else been hearing something nice in
stead Of thinking it ~ with g mischievous
smile at Claire.
With slight flush Claire answered:
at is always sweet to hear the praises Of
one you love; and Ralph Anstruther
would fain win tor his own a certain
maiden 1 know Of. Can you guess who7"
and the elder sister bent and kissed the
fair young check whose wild-rose pink
had deepened into richer tint as Claire
spoke.
Il thought it was you he came to see,
Claire; and I'm sorry if it is anyone else
really and truly sor9y-for don't care
for him at all, excepting as a friend
Claire" with a sudden wonder in her
tones. tell me why it Is that some girls
have-to hurt peoples feelings by saying
=
be awful glad to say .YesT'
Then as Claire looked puzzled at her
somewhat involved sentence, she said.
with laugh that sounded like chime
Of sweet bells in her sisters ear: II mean
Claire, that it isn't fair that I should have
had three offers. aud-and-"
A thought that perhaps if she said any
more she might wound Claire, stopped
l Il. lI,r-I,,-3 -, ,ol -51
For good and even pretty as was the
elder sister, it was Madge alone who had
proved the attractive one since she had
grown to woman's estate. and-as Claires
past was a closed leaf to her-she had
wondered at it.
Tell me, dear, why are you so difficult
to suit 2" said Claire. "Is there come one
else whom you Hke7"
Madge's head drooped. and her cheeks
rivalled the red ca1uatIon she held in her
hand. She hesitated; then with sud
den impulse she went to her sister and
hid her face upon her shoulder, as she
murmured:
..Oh, Claire, do love some one else,
and lie does not even think Of me. He is
too noble and grand to stoop to such o
silly little thing. But / would willingly
die for him."
"Who is it. little sister9 Don't be afraid
to tell me. Your secret will be safe"
But the calm face grew troubled as
Madge whispered name in her ear. 1t
was one which had once sounded like
sweetest music to her. But cloud had
come between her and her handsome
young lover-for Robert Fame was the
one whom Madge had confessed to loving,
and his had been the only voice which
had ever whispered to Claire of love-
And. all. what a pang it gave her now to
think that Madge had taken a fancy to
the same one, whose faithlessness had
nearly broken her own heart. She
schooled herself to answer calmly, but
with an intense earnestness that startled
Madge:
..Do not think of that man. little sister!
He is not one who would make you happy.
He is false and fckle."
.Prove it." said Madge imIsllsively.
"If YOU cannot. will not believe it,
Claire grew very pale. She hesitated.
Then, with u determination to uproot all
fancy for Robert Fame from her sisters
heart, she commenced the story of her
own past:
.'Ten years ago was just the age that
vou are now. Madge. 1 was light
hearted and as merry a girl as ever sang
about the house while performing her
daily duties The world was all sunshine
10 me. and it did not seem as though a
shadow could come across my path. But
ono did come in the guise Of what seemed
at first a great happiness, almost too
e-reat for A. mortal to experience and ever
be willing 20 exchange earth for heaven.
You think. little sister, have been al
vavs the quiet, staid creature l am now.
Bnt am as changed since the time Of
which | am about to speak as yon sky Is
from the glowing tints which colored 1t at
sunset Robert and 1 were engaged to
he married, when one day 1 received a
short cold note from him saying that all
was at an end between us. The next day
heard that he had sailed for Europe
Do Won wonder that the light went out
from nv life, and that all seemed like 8
blank for time? Then our mother died
and in my grief at her loss, and in my
endeavor to make up her place to you, ]
gradually found forgetfulness Of my pain
..Did he give no reason for acting sof'
asked Madge. with ring Of indignation
in her clear young voice.
Nothing definite. He limited at some
discovery he had made; but as l had not
the slightest clue as to what he meant,
was none the wiser"
sThere must have been some treachery
- work or he would never have done
| srcb a thing. 1 am sure Of it." exclaimed
! Madce. "and L am surprised at your re
manning so quiescent about it. If I had
| beon vo,, 7 would have demanded an ex
PLANTATION"
with the ocean rolling between us7'
asked Claire. THAT would not have beer
/ possible; for how could have knowr
J where 10 directs"
..where there's will there's way,
was the decided answer. But you wer'