Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1889-09-03
HER LITTLE SISTER.

was bewitchei."
Frances Crest 1T down the blue
rimmed plate she was wiping with a
coarse homespun towel
"Where is she, motherr' aid she.
lou, In the woods, suppose. it,
where she always goes"
Mother. you must remember that
Lizzie l. young. Don't 10 hard upon
herr pleaded Frances.
Mrs. Crest was Farmer Obed Crest's
second wife. and Frances. the tall. pale
girl with the sombcr brown eye. and
the oval. colorless face, was the good
womAn's stepdaughier. while pretty
is-year-old lxIie was her own and
only child.
But for all that said Mrs. Crest, II
put deal more dependence on Frances
than 10 on Lizzie. Frances u all the
same to me as my own child
"IIArd upon her. she repeated queru.
lously. what I'm afraid % l. that rm
too easy with her shes always had
her own way In everything. And she
takes IL dreadful hard that you should
H. going to Albany and she left at home.
I never knew such nonsense In my life
A disturl-d expression passed over
Franccs face
"lts natural che should feel -.
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.
ised herself to take music lessons and
add 10 her knowledge % art and liera-
ture
For she was engaged to stephen Els
worth. and she longcd with an exceed.
INK great desire 10 make herself worthy
of his love.
"Im only a country girl. she said 20
herself. "And be lives In the city. where
be- l. meeting brilliant women every
day. And Il would h. dreadful II. after
We were married. he should b. ashamed
- mcl'
Mr.. Rigney. a distant cousin of the
Crcst-. had offered Ia give France.
home for the winter for what use she
could render In household matters, and
the money she had saved was 10 h. spent
In suitable dress. lessons and other en-.
penscs.
And. bost u all. she would 49, stephen
Ellsworth every day.
She finished her household tasks and
went quietly cut 10 the nook In the woods
where she knew that she should find
Lizzie.
And here. with her head leaning list.
lcssly against trcc trunk. at lovely
girl - scarcely eighteen. with deep blue
eyes. full. cherry rel lips, and a com
plelion like halsam fiower one hand
was immersed In the cool. running water.
the other heli a cmmplcd pocket hand.
kerchicf. drenched with tears.
"IIkzie'- exclaimed Frances. "you
have been crying"
The blue eyes sparkled r,sentfully.
CRYING OF cOurse I've bcen cryingl-
rriorted LIME Crest. "Who wouldn'I
CRY, a. H. left alone In this dismal hole
all winter long. while you are enjoying
yourself In the city, Hut won't stay
here. III run away and 40 on the stage,
or else III drown myself in Packers
pool!'
"IIr1iei Lizzie, think what you are
sayingr
III don't carei" pouted Lizzie. What
Ia life worth In place ike this
And she burst into fresh hcod OF
tears.
Frances sai down and took the golden
head tenderly into her lap.
All her life long she had been accus-
tome1 to subordinate her will to that of
this lovely. tempcstuous sprite. What
signifie,l one sacrifice more OF lessl
Don't cry any more. LiEzie!" she
Whispered. "rye made up my mind.
You shall 10 to Aunt Josie instead Of
me-"
"IY'
And III wait another year." added
Frances. swallowing lump In her
throat. "You shall have the music les
sons and the art lectures; you shall see
what n winter Ia the city Is like"
LiLzies eyes sparkled; her cheeks were
rel. She flung her arms around Frances
neck. with a sudden cry ofrapture.
"oh. Frances. you don't really mean
it,
"Yes. DO" bravely uttered Frances.
But mother won't consent"
II will see To that.
Once more Lizzie showered soft. warm
Kisses on her sisters cheek.
"Oh. YOU darling' you sweet, guar
dian angell" sho cried. And i am
selfish little bcast To allow you to sacri.
fee yourself In this outrageous fashion.
But II YOU knew how have longed 10
escape FROM tiis dreadful groove Of
hOusework. 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. bat
Frances held to her own way. and LIZ.
Iie's entrcaties were not 10 be withstood.
Frances don't care" pleaded she.
Frances always was a human icicle.
And I'm ~ much younger than she is.
and-and"--
And 20 much prettier.- quietly spoke
the elder sister. "Yes. Lizzie dear. ]
know IT,"
Lizzie laughed and tossed her golden
curls.
AT all events said she. II think ]
ought Ia have fair chance"
Lirxie's letters from Albany were full
Of life and sparkle. She was like bird
let loose. Everything was couleur de
rose 20 her. The gay streets were
dream Of delight; the opera was an actual
reality. Her new dresses filed her with
delight: she was improving 80 fast In
music and drawing. and she could not
imagine how she had ever lived all those
dreary. dragging years In the old farm
house at home.
And best OF all. St,phen Ellsworth had
been 20 often TO zee her. and taken her
out sleighing and to the picture galleries
andtheatres. "all ON dear old Frances
account. Of course." she added. with .
spice of merry mischief
A 8ha could not say enough In praise OF