Morris tribune., 1895-01-09
BROTHER AND SISTER.
Why Dora Tired Of Her Own Ar
rangement.

up OFT your knees and not strike sue
aanctimonious attitudes"
And the girl burst into peal o
laughter, but suddenly checking heI
self said:
''There, AL, do not mean to hur
your feelings, but you draw such Ions
faces! like you very well as friend
but cannot love you. Please dom
think me firt, for don't mean t.
be, and had no notion you cared fol
me. Can't we be friends?"
Here the young girl offered hel
hand, which Al took, and then hastily
picking up his hat left the room.
30, dear!' Dora sighed, looking out
of the window after the retreating
form. ''Now he is angry with me
Why can't hare friend without his
falling in love with me? That is the
third or fourth offer I've had within q
few weeks, and all from boys that I've
known ever since was baby. Seems
to me since l returned from school
every one seems possessed. If they
would only treat me like a sister
should like it much better How nice
1t would be to have brother! But
here comes Cousin VIII. He is a dear,
good soul, and the only one take
any comfort with. I'll go and see if
his friend came"
In the next room, there is but one
occupant, young man who seems con-
wulsed with laughter.
"Well," says Harry Percival. for
that is his name, ''she made quick
work of it. Proposals made and re-
jected in five minutes. Wants a
brother, does she? I've q good mind
to apply for the vacancy. Wonder
what she would say. By Jove, I'll try
it There comes Will, now"
eli, Harry!' said Will, bursting
gather unceremoniously into the room.
''All ready? Supper is, SO we'll go
ued, as they met that young lady at
the head of the stairs, "allow me to
make you acquainted with my friend,
Mr.. Percival. Harry. my cousin, Miss
Dora Andrews"
Supper is over, and Dora sitting on
the piazza in the hammock, when Mr..
Percival and Will appear at tn door.
'::You look too comfortable to be dis
turbed, Dora" Will says. "Neverthe-
less, see some friends of yours COM
ing down the road, bent on dragging
you on some moonlight excursion or
other"
81 shall play martyr with very
good grace, Will. It is a lovely even
ing, and nothing would suit me better
than a boat ride. Of course, you and
Mr.. Percival will go?'
81 see I'm booked" Will laughingly
answered, 'for there's Perry Hunter
and his sister, Frank Willis and sister,
Ellis Munro and two sisters Now, as
each of those fellows is escorting an
other fellows sister, / suppose the
extra Miss Munro is for my benefit.
''Then I hope,'' says Mr.. Percival,
<tyou will allow me the pleasure of be-
ing your escort, Miss Andrews. /
never had sister. We shall be under
the same roof all summer, and I as
sure you I will prove an exemplary
brother. May lcall you sister, Dora?"
Certainly" Dora answered. But
somehow the arrangement did not
please her much.
IF you will excuse me for moment
Il will go upstairs and get my shawl,
land be ready by the time they reach
the house."
The merry party enjoyed apleasant
sail, and before parting agreed to have
q picnic the following week at a grove
five miles distant.
Before the week had ended Dora and
I, 14o1
and he had taken on himself the Office
of mentor as well as brother. The
evening before the picnic Frank Will
,lis called to take Dot to ride. She
went upstairs to get her wrap. Com
ing down she met Harry Percival on
the stairs.
"Where are you bound, sister mine?"
die asked.
'Out to ride" she answered. SIT is
such an elegant evening
Don't you think your adjective
he rejoined, coolly. "Ele-
giant refers to polished or polite"
Haven't you mistaken your voca-
ton? Instead of gentleman you
should have been critic
-'The two can be combined" he
answered, quietly. II don't think
you ought to go to ride this evening,
sister. You will be too tired to enjoy
the picnic tomorrow, besides the air
Is damp"
''Allow me to pass, please; am
keeping Mr.. Willis waiting.
''Sister, indeed" she muttered when
she reached the piazza. anyone
would think was in leading strings.
I'D go if I caught my death.
Dora did not enjoy her ride as much
as she expected, and the air was damp;
she kept up such chatter
of small talk that Mr.. Willis, who had
long been one of her admirers, thought
her one of the liveliest girls he had
ever met.
''Good night" she said, when they
had reached her home. 81 will keep
that promised seat at the table for
you"
Just then Dora heard one of the
upper windows shut.
Upstairs Mr.. Percival was mutter-
ing to himself: mot if know it shall
he hatethe seat next to her at the
table
. L