The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-01-09
MY ONLY LOVE.
And He. My Hero, Lost Forever
to My Sister. !

And He, My Hero, Lost Forever
to My Sister. :
We are not yery well of. Fathers
situation in tho bank, although re-
sponsible one, yielded but small salary
when compared with the expensive
family 1t had tv support; so when the
question came where We should
spend the summer one Of the first
to be=taken into consideration
was expense.
1t did not make much difference to me
~ was sure Of a certain amount of adj
miration and attention wherever went.
] had always received 1t since my first
day in school, where my pretty curls
and shining eyes had captured the
hearts Of the ''big boys" up to the last
ride taken in the park.
With not only the beauty, but much
OF the cleverness Of the family, nat
uraffy great things were expected OF me.
I had but one sister--a poor, pale
little thing. She was younger than l
and had always been delicate but for
rome time had been growing gradually
weaker, until now we wheeled her about
the house in her easy-chair. 1t was
finally decided that mamma should take
the boys up into Nnw-Hampsire
sister Mile and / should go down to
Beachpoint, a little unknown resort on
the coast.
Father accompanied us, but only
stopped long enough to see us comfort
ably settled. / was lonesome enough
the first few days. There were no
boarders but US, and the. house was the
only one on the beach, our neighbors
being away back in the uplands.
dutifully took my bath each day as
one swallows bitter tonic. l played
on the little, ofd-fashioned piano in the
parlor, and to kill time slept away the
greater part of the long summer after
moons. 1t was all very dull and common
place.
Mile was cheerful and contented.
She read and worked on the pretty
things she was constantly knitting out
OF bright woods, or sketched as much OF
the scenery as she could see from her
chair by the window ----------zzz----5
One evening was out Of sorts and a
little cross, and had just declared
wouldn't make toilet to go downstairs,
where there was no one but the land.
lords son, who usually expressed his
admiration with open-mouthed wonder.
Presently our landlady hustled in full
of Importance.
81 just ran up minutesto tell you
that the stage has come, and Mr.. Brent
was in it. He is.here every summer and
COMES cunning in the winter. He gave
us the sail-boat on the bay, and we had
his name painted on it, 'Hartly Brent.
He amt so very young, but he is, rich,
: and / thought perhaps you'd like to
know he was here 50 as to change your
dress before you come down"
She hurried away, feeling she had
done good deed.
After closing the door to shut out the
cool sea air ! wrapped q shawl around
poor, shivering MILES; saying:
"Now, dear, have been forewarned,
and whom I am arrayed in my new gren.
adine / shall be forearmed.'"
Time dragged no longer after Hartly
Brent came, and soon several other
a merry party. Escorts were plenty,
ana. as was the privilege Of nv belle.
hood. chose such as pleased me best.
When nv choice fell on Mr.. Brent. as II
often did. Icould see how pleased he
was to be of service. He was never OF.
ficious. vet always ready to quietly
render any little attention needed. His
manner was different from the ray pal
lantry OF other cavaliers. With their
tests and fiattery. though he was ALWAYS
deferential and praised nv taste nv
music and my voice with discriminat.
ing earnestness | knew to be sincere.
lit is because he is older than the
others /. said to Millie. Who loved te
hear me tallo,of him.
She wasE alwavs, interested in anv
thing liked. and~ehe had been kind te
her, bringing her fruit and flowers and
books and taxing her IN his strona
srmsdown. to the parlor of an evening
and back again to her room when she
was tired. s.Besides.'' / said to myself
the warm blood circling round nv hear
Mt the thought. "their attentions mean
nothing. and he is in earnest
How ouicxlv time flies when one IL
hapny. Each perfect summer day has it,
remembr In nv heart: we boated
and ashad and Gathered shells through
the dav and in the evening sat ON the
long n;auza after I had tucked Mile II
the he'd and kissed her rood night