The Somerset reporter., 1890-07-03

Pity the frail-weep DER their fall
But speak of good not at all.
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SELECTED.
HER LITTLE SISTER.
Lizzie has gone again. said Mrs.
Crest. 'Lizzie's no sort of use to me of
late. l don't know what's come TO the
child, but she does act to me as is she
was bewitched"
Frances Crest set down the blue rim
med plate she was wiplng with coarse
homespun towel.
where is she, mother?" said she.
"Out in the woods, | suppose. It's
where she always goes"
Mother, you must remember that
Lizzie is young. Don't be hard upon
her. pleaded Frances.
Mrs. Crest was Farmer Obed Crests
second wife, and Frances, the tall, pale
girl with the somber brown eyes and the
oval, colorless face, was the good wo-
msn's stepdaughter, while pretty l8-year-
old Lizzie was her own and only child.
But for all that" said Mrs. Crest, II
put deal more dependence on Frances
than do on Lizzie. Frances is all the
same to me as my own child"'
Hard upon herr" she repeated quer-
ulously. What I'm afraid of is that I'm
too easy with her. She's always had her
own way in everything. And she takes
1t dreadful hard that you should be 60
ing to Albany and she left at home.
never knew such nonsense in my life
A disturbed expression passed over
Frances face.
| ats natural she should feel so, moth
err she urged gently.
Frances Crest had diligently taught
school for three consecutive seasons to
earn the monty for this coveted winter
in Albany, during which she had promised
herself to take music lessons and add to
her knowledge of art and literature.
For she was engaged to Stephen Ellis
worth, and she longed with an exceed
ing great desire to make herself worthy
of his love.
PPM only country girl" she said to
herself" and he lives in the city, where
he is meeting brilian. women every day.
| And it would be dreadful If after We
were married, he should be ashamed of
me !"
Mrs. Rigney, distant cousin of the
Cresia, had. offered to give Frances II
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.
Z. She finished iher household tasks and
went quietly out to the nook in the woods
where she knew that she should find Liz
zie.
| And here, with her head leaning list
lessly against tree trunk, sat lovely
girl of scarcely eighteen, with deep blue
eyes. full, cherry red lips, and com-
plexion like a balsam flower. One hand
was immersed In the cool, running wa.
ter; the other held a crumpled pocket
handkerchief, drenched with tears.
"L'zzie!" exclaimed Frances, "you
have been crying!'
| The blue eyes sparkled resentfully.
"Crying2 Ofcourse I've been crying!"
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 l won't stay
here. I'll run away and go on the stage.
or else I'll drown myself in Parker's
poo,"
Lizzie Lizziel think what you are
sayingi"
~ don't care ~ pouted Lizzie. "What
is life worth in place like this?"
And she burst into fresh Hood Of
tears. -
Frances sat d5Yn and took the golden
head tenderly into her lap
All her life long she had been accus-
toned to subordinate her will to that of
this lovely, tempestuous sprite. What
signhed one sacrifice more or lessf
Don't cry any more. Lizzie!' she
whispered. I've made up my mind.
You shall go to Aunt Josie instead of
me-"
II"
And I'll wait another year." added
Frances, swallowing lump in her throat.
| You shall have the music lessons and
! the art lectures; you shall see what
winter In the city is like"
| Lizzies eyes sparkled; her cheeks were
red. She hung her arms around Frances
neck, with sudden cry of rapture
ooh, Frances, you don't really mean
| it,"
"Yes, do" bravcly uttered Frances.
But mother won't consent"
~ will see to that"
| Once more Lizzie sh ,werd soft, warm
kisses on her sisters cheek.
ooh, You darling you sweet, guardi-
an angel" she cried. And l am self
sh little beast to allow you to sacrifice
yourself In this outrageous fashion. But
If you knew how l have longed to es-
cape from this dreadful groove of house.
work and sewing, and butter making!'
| 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
zle's entreaties were not 10 Ge withstood.
Frances don't care" pleaded she,
Frances always was q human icicle.
Aud I'm so much younger than she is,
and-and"-
And so much prettier," quietly spoke
the elder sister. Eyes, Lizzie dear, l
know 1t.
Lizzie laughed and tossed her golden
curls.
cat all events" said she, Il think l
ought to have fair chance"
Lizzie's letters from Albany were full
of life and sparkle. She was like bird
let loose. Everything WAS couleur de
rose to er. The gay streets were
dream of delight; the opera wss an &C
tual 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. Stephen Ellsworth had
been so often to see her, and taken her
out sleighing and to the picture CALLER
les and theatres, AL on dear Frances
account, of course" she added. with .
spice Of merry mischief.
She could not say enough In praise Of
Stephen Ellsworth. He was 30 hand.
some, so stylish the cid Ellsworth man
sion ON State street was 90 elegant; he
sent her such exquisite cut flowers and
baskets Of fruit!
And Frances, reading those letters at
home after her days work OF school
teaching was over, tried to rejoice In her
sisters happiness.
Mother" abe said one day, II should
like to sec the child 10 her new dresses.
think III 20 up TO Albany and sur.
Iprise her. Lacy Lampe0n will take the
school for . weak. Dear little Lizzie
how astonished sAS VIII b r.
"Wife" said Farmer Crest h0arsely
when Frances bad 9oss sp 70 bed. full
) Of her new plan, Il don't knows "
fought 70 1T Mr. eo.r
"why not, O6sdr
II saW DR.. Jones' Don this morning
he % iust hons froa ~ Albany Ned.
lied collage, Aad - ooNu evory one u
y nn2k1n4 a. or IA0GlG6 GnRnGnmmt r.