Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-07-06
ny SISTERS KEEPER.

Written for the SUNDAY UNION by Gale Braith.l
We were sisters, she and /. Her name
cannot tell you. 1t has not passed my life
in years, and now that am about to write
my confession it would surely bring sus-
picion upon me; so, for the short time /
am for this world, wish to keep my secret
my secret which has whitened my hair
and added years to my age. You would
not think to look at me now that was
once beauty. But some men prefer youth
to beauty, and such was the case with him
the man who should have been my hus-
band. l was a good twelve years older
than she, when, our mother dying, gave
her to my care with these words: " Han
ma! be mother to my darling" And /,
how 1 loved my baby sister; with my arms
tightly clasping her to my breast and with
our dear mothers blessing, / promised
We lived almost entirely alone after our
mothers death. Even our father, who
seldom left his books, we rarely saw. Hav-
ing neither brothers nor sisters, and as
there were few visitors at the Hall" We
led dull, lonesome life, seeing few others
outside the governess and servants, until
he came-our uncle's son-and for time
everything was changed; our father came
more amongst US; Lord and Lady c. and
their thin, pale, ugly daughter were our
constant guests.
/ The moment my eyes rested upon my
cousin ! loved him and in the course of a
| few weeks knew, to my JOY, he loved me In
return. 1t was lovely summer night
all, me, how handsome and noble he
looked-when, under the great oak" he
asked me to be his wife. was beautiful
then. but how sadly am l changed. He
folded me in his arms could feel him
tremble; his lips were fondly, passionately
pressed to mine. MY wife," he whisp-
cred mine, mine p
AT that moment she, my sister, called
me, Hanna, Hanna"
She was now about 10 years Of age, and
| this was the first time since our mothers
death had forgotten her bedtime.
Hanna, Hanna" she called; but my
lovers arms were tight around me. "Don't
60 yet, darling" he whispered; {" am
Jealous of that sister who seems to require
SO much of your attention. You belong to
me now, remember"
With happy laugh and wildly beat
ing heart l freed myself and went to meet
| her.
"Where have you been, Hanna ?n she
asked, looking into my flushed, joyous
face. "Oh | know, you were with Cousin
| Ernest"
laughed and clasped my arms around
her. Yes, darling, | have BEEN"
You are always with him." she pouts,
land forget all about me. 1 wish he
would go away. Why does he stay here so
long"
| ! laughed again and kissed her with a
happy heart.
Ernest spoke to my father, and we were
| formally engaged.
| Marriage is not to be thought of for a
year or two yet" my father said. At
which conditions my lover chafed, but
which / accepted willingly. l loved him,
and felt so sure of his love in return; be-
sides could not leave her yet.
So Ernest returned to London, and each
day received long passionate letter, and
every month he paid me flying visit to
the Hail.
All, me ah, me! 1t seems but yester-
day that l went to meet him at the old
coax" But at last word came for him to
| fill an important position in SPAIN and in
years time / am to be his wife. In vain
he begged me to accompany him, but /
was firm.
No, DEAR" said, have patience and
wait year longer"
He groaned. "Patience, Hanna, how
Can | wait? / am almost mad for you
| now"
"But my sister"
Your sister! always your sisterl Do
you know, Hanna, am beginning to hate
| this sister of yours"
"Oh, Ernest w cried, shocked to hear
| him speak SO, "how can you say such
thing about my poor little motherless
| darling"
And the tears filled my eyes.
Ernest took me in his arms. "Forgive
me, dearest. l am a brute, and you are
| right to consider your sister before me-"
No, not before you, DEAR" l replied.
But she requires my care little longer.
Do not begrudge her year. You will
| have the balance of my life"
So he started off to Spain and | received
his letters-such loving, loving letters
which made my heart beat, and caused my
cheeks to burn like fire.
Time passed, and the year was almost
up, when one of the Spanish partners
died, which caused a disarrangement of
Ernests plans that he could not possibly
return to England. He wrote me long
heartrending letter, asking me to come
to him and we would be married in Mad
rid But this my father would not listen
to, so we were compelled to wait an indef-
mite time, until Ernest could come for me.
Well, one year had pas. ed, two, three, nay,
four and five. Then came word-Ernest is
on his way to claim me-
At last" he wrote; at last, beloved, /
can almost feel you in my arms. Oh,
Hanna, the joy of it."
He came. The first few hours after his
arrival had passed. My sister retired early
that night with severe headache, to
which she was often subject. He asked
after the little girl of whom he was once
so jealous.
Little girl" l repeat, I" she is taller
than |"
But I'll vouch not half so beautiful"
81 don't know" / said "you must
Judge for yourself tomorrow"
The next morning my sister came into
The breakfast-room. / always thought
her pretty, but this morning she was posi-.
lively lovely. / was struck with amaze
ment at the change in her appearance.
She wore summer dress of pretty light
tan color, which fitted the slight, graceful
form to perfection. Her shining golden
hair was simply drawn back and twisted
into tight Grecian knot at the back of
the small, shapely head. She looked so
simple, sweet and girlish that |, in spite of
myself, felt old and little overdressed, for
had donned an elaborate morning gown
in honor of my lovers return. noticed
the start of surprise, and with what gen.
uine glance of admiration he regarded her.
She advanced, smiling with outstretched
hand, "Cousin Ernest, let me welcome
you" she said "you must excuse me for
being so tardy, but presume Hanna in
formed you of my indisposition that Isl
with laughing glance at me-"if either
of you had a thought for poor me-"
"Your sister told me you were suffering
with headache. But can this be the
little girl | left behind me?" he said,
laughing.
"Pm afraid it is" she replied, demurely.