The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-04-28
His Sister Alice.

/
Nobody knew why It was that DR..
Merton looked all OF q sudden. so much
older than he really was; nor why.
| from being man full OF mirth and
LOVING society, lie seemed 10 sliuu both.
But h 8 sister Alice suspected the cause
long. long before Mrs. Merton herself
was aroused 10 the faintest glimmer OF
the truth and the truth was sad
enough, for DR.. Merton was in debt.
How had such a state Of things come
about in thriving household such as
was that of DIR. Merton? FIRST OF all
It had begun on increased expenditure
on Mrs. Merton's part; on her insist
ance on liberal income 10 spend; on
her utter want of business capacity.
Next the debtor. who was but too
good natured. was imposed upon by
| the son OF an old friend-induced to
become his security for f30O. which
the doctor had to pay after all.
Then, one year lie had number OF
bad debts, and. rs he was generous
hearted, lie would not curtail his sis
ter's allowance of hundred a year;
for Alice id many things in the
bousehold-taught the children. walked
out with them. made things for their
wear, saved the expense of music les
sons for the elder girls, and Their BROTH
er argued that if Alice got married and
left them they would never get her
place supplied by paying any one else
n hundred year and that such an al
lowance was her due.
AL ce had come 10 live in her BROTH
er's house when she was left homeless
by her fathers sudden death SIX years
ago. She was now twenty -four; but
most people, not aware OF the con-
trarv, took her for nineteen or twenty.
She was dozen years younger than
the doctor. and very beautiful young
woman. highly intellectual, and fond
of literary pursuits.
"Alice. dear" said the doctor one
day to his sister. "you look tired-are
you working too hard?''
mot b:t-I like work" said she.
cheerily.
What is the use of all this brain
work, Alicep" asked the doctor.
Some day you will marry that nice
young fellow, Samuel Ormsby. and
then ,ou will not need TO study"
Alice flushed up at her brothers re-
mark.
II am very sorry you have taken
such an erroneous notion into your
head, Edmund" said she. LET me
assure you that Mr.. Ormsby and myseli
are on friendly terms. and nothing
more Nor ever will be-" she added
mentally. with sigh that she dared
not permit to escape her.
1t was a sigh which carried with it a
good deal of hidden rt-grief. Fol-
n reality Alice Merton loved Samuel
Ormsby with deep devot on, but she
was inwar,lly persuaded that he cared
nothing whatever for her. and that he
would either not marry at all or else
choose wife very brilliant and &C
complished.
She had known Mr.. Ormsby for two
years now He had bought a very
harming property in the neighbor'
hood. and lived about six miles from
DR.. Merton's residence. having brought
his mother and two sisters to make
their home W tn him.
One evening. it CHANGED that Alice
and her brother were alone together
thing which did not often happen
but to. night Mrs, Merton was spending
u few hours at the vcarage, and thu
ch ldren were gone up to bed. Boil
brother and ster held books in theil
hands. and appeared to be reading. bu
in truth, the thoughts of each were
busy and sad. taking no heed of thu
page before them.
All at once, as Alice cast furtiv'
glance at her brothers care-worn face
she met his gaze fixed on her, full o
!, tender anxiety In an instant she di
vined that some crisis in his or eft hat
arrived-that no would speak out nov
and confle TO her his secret trouble
and throwing aside her book. she sanl
on her knees by his side. pressing on
Of b hands in hers. and repeating:
edmund. tell me what it is! Their
is something which is eating ava
your life!'
ooh! AL ce, we shall have to NOV
into small house, and my wife mus
teach the girls. How shall l tell her
For we are terribly in debt. and ruiz
stares me n the face. Think what
feel when have to say to you, my ow
sister, that You will have TO 60 out ant
teach under another roof than mine!'
"How much-how much do you owe
EdmundP" she cried, eagerly.
Seven hundred pounds" said he
with groan.
Then YOU are saved, dearest broth
er!" or ed she. throwing her arm
round his neck and ssing his fore
head Yes. saved. for have put b
f80O. and it is all at your disposal
every penny"
"You-you. Alice?" murmured tn
bewildered man, not dar ng to trust i
what he heard.
"Yes, ], Edmund" she answered
clinging 10 him lovingly. "All the 81
years have lived with you, have pl
e7O every year into the bank out of til
f1O0 you allowed me. There is mol
than E400 And the rest have mad
by writ ng articles and stories for di
ferent magazines; and once l illustra
ed book. There is secret of N
early rising or late going to bed B.
fore nightfall of the second dav afte
every tradsman was paid. and evel
farthing the doctor owed. and AL ce ha
settled to 60 and teach Lady Within!
toms two dauohtcrs