, 1889-08-24
HER LITTLE SISTER.

Cfebt- L1ZZle 5 no SOrt OF use 10 me OF
late. 1 don't know what's come to the
child, but she does act to me as if she
was bewitched."
Frances Crest set down the, blue
trimmed plate she was wiping with a
coarse homespun towel
where is she, mother said she.
"out in the woods, I suppose. It's
where she always goes"
Mother, you must remember that
Lizzie is young. Don't be hard upon
heri" pleaded Frances.
Mrs. Crest was Farmer Obed Crest's
second wife, and Frances, the tall, pale
girl with the somber brown eyes and
the oval, colorless face, was the good
woman's ~stepdaughter, while pretty
~1S-year-old Lizzie was her own and
only child.
But for all that" said Mrs. Crest, 81
put a deal more dependence on Frances
than l do IN Lizzie. Frances is all the
same to me al my own child
Hard upon her!" she repeated queru-
lously. "What Pm afraid of is that I'm
too easy with her. She's always had
her own way in everything. And she
takes it dreadful hard that you should
be going to Albany and she left at home.
never knew such nonsense in my lifei"
A disturbed expression passed over
Frances face.
Its natural she should feel SO,
MOTHER" she urged gently.
Frances Crest had diligently taught
school for three consecutive seasons to
earn the money for this coveted winter
in Albany, during which she had prom
saAl Inr-alF - Il -....
add to her knowledge of art and litera-
ture.
For h was engaged to Stephen Ellis
worth, and she longed with an exceed
ing great desire to make herself worthy
of his love.
"Tm only n country girl," she said to
herself, and he lives in the city, where
he is meeting brilliant women every
day. And it would be dreadful if, after
we were married, he should be ashamed
of mei'
Mrs. Rigney, a distant cousin of the
Crests, had offered to give Frances a
home for the winter for what use she
could render in household matters, and
the money she had saved was to be spent
in suitable dress, lessons and other ex-
penses.
And, best of all, she would see Stephen
Ellsworth every day.
She finished her household tasks and
went quietly out to the nook in the woods
where she knew hat she should find
Lizzie.
And here, with her head leaning list
lessly against a tree trunk, sat a lovely
girl of scarcely eighteen, with deep blue
eyes, full, cherry red lips, and a COM
plexion like n balsam flower. One hand
was immersed in the cool, running water;
the other held a crumpled pocket hand
kerchief, drenched with tears.
"Lizziei" exclaimed Frances, "you
have been cryingl"
The blue eyes sparkled r~esentfully.
Crying? OF course I've been cryingt'
retorted Lizzie Crest. "Who wouldn't
cry, to be left alone in this dismal hole
all winter long, while you are enjoying
yourself in the city? But / won't stay
here. I'll run away and go on the stage,
or else I'll drown myself in Packers
poolI'
Lizzie! Lizzie! think what oil are
sayingv'
81 don't care!" pouted Lizzie. "What
is life worth in a place like this?"
And h burst into a fresh flood of
tears.
Frances sat down and took the golden
head tenderly into her lap.
All her life long she had been accus-
toned 10 subordinate her will to that of
this lovely, tempestuous sprite. What
signified one sacrifice more or less?
Don't cry any more, Lizziel" she
whispered. "Tve made up my mind.
You shall go to Aunt Josie instead of
me-"
ZIP"
And I'll wait another year" added
Frances, swallowing a lump in her
throat. "You shall have the music les
sons and the art lectures; you shall see
what a winter in the city is like"
Lizzie's yes s%parkled; her cheeks were
red. She flung her arms around Frances
neck, with a sudden cry of rapture.
ooh, Frances, you don't really mean
it?'
"Yes, I do" bravely uttered Frances.
But mother won't consent"
81 will see to that"
Once more Lizzie showered soft, warm
kisses on her sisters cheek.
"Oh, you darlingl you sweet, guar,
dian angel" she cried. "And / am a
selfish little beast to allow you to sacri-
fee yourself in this outrageous fashion.
But if you knew how l have longed to
escape from this dreadful groove of
homework, and sewing, and butter max.
ingl"
"You shall escape, Lizzie" said Fran
ces.
And no one ever knew the bitterness
of the tears she shed when Lizzie went
to Albany.
Mrs. Crest demonstrated stoutly, but
Frances held to her own way, and Liz,
zie's entreaties were not to be withstood.
Frances don't care" pleaded she.
Frances always was a human icicle.
And I'm so much younger than she is,
and-and"-
And so much prettier," quietly spoke
the elder sister. Eyes, Lizzie dear, !
know it,"
Lizzie laughed and tossed her golden
curlS,