The Progress., 1893-09-09
MANS SISTER.

NOhhCNOCu py = lluS uVilNdy giving
on to the landing by one door. There.
fore it will be plain to the meanest
mind that once the hall door is occu-
pied by the enemy the only other
exit is from the window by way OF
the gutter-pipe-a vertical dis
tance of three stories. There
should always be two ways, not in
cluding the window, out of every set
of chambers.
This need had never presented itself
to me until one memorable afternoon
when, without knock, word. or warn-
ing, rOund-faced, golden-haired,
blue-eyed maiden, in an astrakhan-
faced jacket, gray skirt and a black
velvet hat, charged into my room
after the most approved fashion of all
the comedies, crying: "Dear old Joe,'
My name was not, and never will
be. Joe. There was no need for eX-
plantations. Sister, aud only sister.
was stamped all over the face of the
maiden. Everybody who has been
possessed of an only sister understands
the manner in which one of the tribe
enters a brothers rooms
The maiden gave little scream as
turned. She apologized. Could |
tell her whereabouts Mr.. Joseph
Rupard's chambers were?
could not; for you may live seven
teen years in chambers without
knowing the face, life. or occupation
of any one of your fellow-convicts
| suggested that she should speak to
the housekeeper, and escorted her to
the tiny hall aforesaid.
You will observe that there was
nothing whatever in these proceed
ings to bring a blush to the thinnest
cheek
The imp of perversity, who is
generally playing about on the land
ing for six shillings a week. met me
in the hallway. saying: Lady and
gentleman to see you, sir"
Behind him stood two figures that
knew. and at any other TINA would
have received with JOY
The maiden at my heels lost her
singularly pretty head, and, whisper
ing What shall l do?" bolted back
into the sitting-rOOm.
All this was strictly in accordance
with the rules of the stage; but why
1t should have taken place in my
chambers | could never understand.
And yet was deeply thankful that
sne had not gone forth, like Una, un-
der the noses of my visitors. Uncle
John-yes, it was an uncle, even as
is the case in a comedy-would have
laughed; and, since she was another
mans sister, that would have been
even worse than Aunt Alice's hawk
eyed inspection of the maiden, and
subsequent description of her face.
figure, and dress to all her righteous
world.
| received my people in the hall
way An inspiration told me TO get !
rid of my coat and rumple my hair |
Desperate fear made me very wise,
most courteous, and genial to excess.
"Oh, so glad to see you," said 1;
"but I'm afraid you've come to a reg
ular camp in the wilderness. Fact
is, my sitting-room is upside down
that fool of a housemaid has been
doing something to the fire that has
filled the place with smuts, and I've
made her dust everything out again.
But come into the bedroom, since
you've taken the trouble to climb all
these stairs" Even as l spoke in the
hall. l heard the heavy armchair
up against my sitting room
1oor, and there was sound of en-
Dhatic busting. / thanked heaven
hat was pleased to affiict me that it
lad sent at least lone heart still
'eady to play out the play"
Into my humble bedroom l led
hose relatives; and my aunt, after
he manner of women, made search
ng inventories with her eye, and in
Iuired as to whether | was well
ooked after But it was the aunti-
pathetic kiss and the remark that
ollowed-"My boy, how hot you are!
AREN'T you well?"-that scared my
innocent soul like hot iron.
'erfected crime must bring with it
ense OF case and rest. 1t is the un-
ncrited imputation of evil that
trains the nerves
My aunt would fain have had tea,
when that girl had finished clean
ng your rooms" The bedroom
loor was of course open. l assured
ny aunt that the folly of that house
Maid prevented her from finishing
this side of doomsday, and
hat tie dust would not settle down
Ill twenty minutes after that
There was a Growing, choking
oise, that might have been a smoth- ]
red chuckle. from the sitting-room,
thereof the fanlIght above the door
Tas open.
What very superior voice she I
asT said Aunt Alice. "Quite a
idy's- Is she pretty?"
Come and see," quoth /, with that Z
" innocence that only cunning can :
estow. L half-opencd the sitting !
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