The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-12
MY TERRIBLE SISTER IN-LAW.
By May CrOmmelin,



from school. who comes to live in your
house because she has no other home, is,
or may be. still livelier infection to
man who likes a quiet existence.
Aileeu, my wife, had got well into my
WAYS. bless her! these two years or SO OF
our married life. The militia regiment /
fatter myself also understood how as
adiutant. I liked things done; and the
subs. especially Oswald Bryce, were the
best boys ever seen till Loo came ana
PLAYED the mischief There, my grumhle
Is out. Now I give you the story.
our domestic storm burst without warn
ing. Certainly Loo had been highly
charged with electricity lately, which we
nut down TO her evident fancy for Os-
wald Bryce and the fact that he was
leaving tomorrow. He had passed his
exams. with credit, and expected soon TO
get his commission in the line.
Now. towards dusk, when my days
vvor,, was done. Aneen and 1 used fire.
ouently to stroll out together and ENJOY
a quiet chat This evening We hesitated'
for # looked showery. only Louisa de-
clared the weather was quite fine and
1erred and teased US fairly out of doors
We did not go far Some raindrops fell.
and as Aileen had a slight cold, coaXed
her hack for a romp in the nursery. Moth
ing was further from our minds than any
unbandsome conduct when one of us care
lesslv remarked: 81 wonder what Miss
Lou is doing"
let us slip in quietly and see" sug-
gested the other.
So returning by the servants path and
side entrance we tip-toed to the drawing
room and softly turned the door handle.
A iolel This was something more. Loo
and Bryce were standing together in the
attitude of the Huguenot and his sweet
heart on st. Bartholomew Eve. Our
vixen's pretty face was upturned implor-
dngly. and Bryce was smoothing her fluffy
hair.
turned on us wrathful, with flaming
cheeks.
"Wen, you are both mean! I'm sure
never spied on you two before you wer
married"
You were only IS at the time, louisa
and not our guardian, if remember right
~" I slowly replied, as If taxing my
memory. Which feint gave me time for
reflection. ALSO we had the consent of
Aileen's relations. You perhaps think that
ceremony unnecessary, but Mr.. Bryce may
so far honor his superior officer"
All the time 1 was trying not to smile;
for really they did look such a pretty
couple, it seemed a thousand pities to have
disturbed them
But Aileen put her arms around her
young sister. murmuring, Darling, I am
so glad"
This was really going too fast. May I
ask" 1 turned to Bryce, whom !
heartily liked for an explanation.
To my amazement the young fellow
stood like a statue; his handsome face
grave, his teeth clenched. He looked like
a man about to be shot
Come, have you nothing to say to me.
Bryce?" and laid my hand on his Shout
der.
Bryce looked up. There was agony in
his eyes.
Yes" he faltered. Il love your sister.
] can't help that. But / have no right
TO ask your consent to more, for l have
been in prison-a convictr'
1 fell back a step Aileen gave a little
cry of dismay. But Loo sprang to his
side.
HE is innocent" she gasped. her eyes
blazing at US. LAS If he would steal
money"
Bryce touched her arm, smiled; she
stopped, mute.
when did this happen?"
Il was set free shortly before joining
the regiment, sir. Our colonel knows my
story. He believed in me, and specially
recommended me to your kindness, if you
remember"
And so you, being under a cloud as
you say, have nevertheless proposed to
my sister-in-law."
He did not" Loo interrupted, with white
face and terrible eyes. Il proposed to
him.
You! What do you mean. child?"
II say l proposed to him." returned my
dreadful sister-in-law emphatically; as
suming a plying tone of patience with
my stupidity; Il did not know you were
deaf, Gilbertr
oh! 1 beg your pardon. That was, of
course, the correct way of doing it,"
Then to my surprise this exasperating
young person burst into wild weeping.
Aileen embraced and hurried her little sis
ter tenderly out of the room. CHANGING
reproachfully over her shoulder, she muir.
INJURED that size had guessed the poor
child's previous calm was from oVer-ex
element Bryce made quick movement
forward, then stopped His arms fell
nerveless and straight. l declare / have
rarely felt more sorry for any young fei-
low
sit down here. and tell me all about
it., said 1, poking the fire hard, and push
ing forward an armchair. Bryce dropped
into ii, and after a minute began to speak
point He never hinched.
Dust to give him a lead I had said,
How and where did it happen?O
1T was at a orammer's where 1 was
preparing for the army" said Bryce; "his
name doesn't matter l have tried hard
to forgiee him. 1t was the last thing my
poor mother wished. My father had died
some two years before and l thought no
end of myself; the world was to be my
oyster-that sort of thing"
We'll, my crammer had one motherless
daughter. very pretty, and all the fellows
used to be more or less gone in that quar-
ter"
''Of course. I know that story"
Her father was an old screw So as
she was very fond of dress and little ex-
travagances, some Of us used to spend
more upon gratifying her whims than we
could well afford out of our small allow
ances. ! was one of them. Twice / was
obliged to ask my mother, who worship
ped me, for assistance. 1t was very
wrong, l know But the girl had an in
nocent way of poutng. and telling one
of the old mans stnginess toward her
Then with tears standing in her eyes she
used TO ask coaxingly like a child. could
you not get it for her? Looking back, In