The representative., 1895-04-24
THE KaPPER GIRLS B0gRDER.

The Misses Kapper sat in their parlor.
The small apartment, partly darkened by
window shades, which were drawn so as to
exclude any possible CLINT OF sunlight, hau
about 1t that uncomfortable air so usual In
the best room of house in the country.
The chairs were arranged at regular inter-
walls against the wall On the center table
lay the family Bible. The low mantel shelf
was decorated by a pyramid of brilliant
wax fruit covered by glass globe, while
on, either side was a painted vase.
The girls" as they ,liked to be called,
were gowned alike in the stiffest white
muslin, finished at throat and wrists by fine
old lace. Each wore curlS on her forehead,
and both had their arms folded at the same
angle. Though they were not twins, the
sisters were almost of an age; concer1 hing
that age the neighbors were carefully kept
in the dark. 1t was rumored, however, that
Desire Kapper was well on to fifty, and
that Ann couldn't be great ways behind"
They sat in painful uprightness on the Slip
perry horsehair chairs, evidently in walt for
some event OF more than ordinary impor-
tance.
ITO think we should come to thisv' MUIR
INJURED Desire, the elder and sitter Of the
two. ITO think of a Kapper finding it
necessary to keep boarder!
1T Is humil.ating,'' whispered her sister,
finding her handkerchief and wiping her
eyes without unfolding it. But" bright
ening a little, 1--WE can say to the neignbors
that he Is our visitor, and account for the
presence of the man in that way And
then it will make work for Margaret. Ttat
girl hasn't half enough to do as it is. l
found novel in
Hearing the doorbell, they rose simultane-
ously. Ann started for the hall, then ran
back, exclaiming in a nervous, high-pitched
voice:
"You go, Desire. You're the Oldest"
Him! l don't know as there's such
terrible difference retorted her sister,
stalking to the door,
There was some difficulty in opening it,
swollen as it was from damp weather and
disuse.
Have the pleasure of addressing Miss
Kapper?" inquired the newcomer, a young
man of unusually. attractive appearance
You have, sirS Is this Mr.. Barrie?"
asked Desire, in a frigid tone, hoping to
check any familiarity at the outset. So
shut off from society had she lived that she
considered the least show of courtesy from
man an impertinence.
Undaunted by her icy manner the young
man stepped in, made some remark about
their pleasant home, and asked to be shown
to his room. Desire led the way to the top
Of the stairs, pointed to his door, then went
down to the little parlor.
well. did you ever?" exclaimed Ann
who had eagerly watched proceedings
through The half-open door.
mo, l never saw such bold man in all
my days." assented Desire did you see
how he looked at me when he came in?
/ don't think it safe to have a man board
er, after all.'
Il really don't think there's much dan
GER" returned Ann, recalling the handsome
face and genial manner of their guest.
Heavens above! What have l struck"
exclaimed John Barrie, throwing himself
into a chair by the window. II came here
to board, and am treated like intruder
by that old sphinx But I can enjoy my
V~n<, ftrr1 in, rv,{f Nf hor
noticing the dusky woods and Lake Huron
In the distance Hello! some one is sing
ing"
But now day dawns on sunlit lawns and
life is glad and bright
That's young voice, I'm sure. Per-
haps things won't be so bad here as they
promised"
Barrie went down to tea presently, and
at the table was introduced to a pale dark
eyed girl, the niece of his stern hostesses
The young couple exchanged bows formal
enough to suit even the stiff Desire. few
remarks were passed by Barrie which re-
ceived little encouragement from the spin
sters, and all were relieved when the meal
was finished. The long evening wore te-
diously away, and at early hour lights
were extinguished and the house was Sc
cured for the night.
"Heighor sighed Barrie as he tumbled
into the high straw bed. 1 don't know
whether l can stand six weeks of this ex-
istence or not. 1t promises to be pretty
tame, but l guess 1 can make it out with
the girl to keep me company, though she
seems afraid to speak in the presence of
her aunts."
The first week slipped quickly away.
Barrie was becoming accustomed to his
monotonous life; he had made rapid strides
in his acquaintance with the girl who,
he discovered, was a sort of servant in her
aunt's house, and merely tolerated by them
A pathetic look in Margaret Darcy's eyes
told that she felt her position and longed
for the love and sympathy which is the lot
of most girls, and Barrie, who was
kind hearted fellow, was drawn to her by
her very forlornness.
Had she been a laughing, careless girl, it
Is doubtful if he would have given here
more than a passing thought, but this tim
i'd, shrinking, creature attracted him
strangely, and soon absorbed a large share
Of his attention.
The sisters. with their odd dress and
queer ways, amused him-especially Miss
Ann who conducted herself like a girl OF
16. She was SO evidently pleased when he
talked with her that Barrie, who had the
tact of a man of the world gave her con-
siderable of his time in one way or another.
1t might be as well to have her as an ally,
he thought if the stern Desire should OBJ
ject with his intercourse with Margaret,
which so far had escaped her notice. And
day by day AIMS muslins grew sitter, her
CuIlS IHOIc HuHlSIOuS, anu INTO nor hedQ
crept a sentiment which brought flush to
her faded cheek whenever Barrie's eyes
met hers.
One sultry afternoon some weeks after
nts arrival Barrie strolled into the cool.
dark sfecfIfs,~-eom, and, throwing himself
on the sofa, comfHe enced to talk to Ann
who sat by the window crocheting some
table mates.
"Where is Miss Darcey?' he asked
mercy me! We never know where Mar
sharply. ''She has lazy habit of living
out among the flowers, after the mornings
work is done, and we can't get her to settle
at sewing or anything sensible. 1 found a
book tucked away in her room not long
ago, but made short work of that nom
sense by burning it,
What was it?' inquired Barrie, secretly
resolving to replace the stolen treasure.
'Middleditch,' by George Somebody or
other It's ridiculous notions that girls
got, any way-cramming her head with
trash
Her mother was your sister, was she
not?'
Gracious no! Our half-sister She and
her husband died when Margaret was a
baby. We couldn't cast the child off. being
of our own blood, so"-here Ann drew
long sigh-"we brought her up.''
''She is very pretty said Barrie.
DO you think so? Folks say she favors
me little. Miss Ann looked ,complacently
at her well-kept hands. We wear the same
size in gloves
"Indeed!' Barrie was evidently inter-
ested. He moved nearer to the spins.er
That's very quaint ring you wear, Miss