The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-10-19
FRANKS SISTER.


pecting some ones'
II am expecting Lord Steeplechase."
"Hc would be awfully flattered.
$40, he wouldn't. / came here to make
him feel ashamed Of himself-to have my
revenge. He taught our Frank to bet
led him to destruction. He can get out Of
it because he is a millionaire. How dars
he medslle with our only boy?"
II don't think he is sobad. I know
him, and
II do not know him. / have never seen
him. don't want to know him.
'sBut"-
ssThere isn't the ghost of a but. Ruin
is the only word in the language. There
is auntie looking for me, and ! will hays
to go home without seeing Lord Steepla-
chase. Here is auntie, and I shall have to
say good night to you. 1t was very good
Of you to listen to my scolding and not TO
be cross about losing your dance. AndI
don't even know your nane.''
My name is of no consequence, and I
don't mind the dance. I've been awfully
interested in what you've been saying"
Il suppose you don't want to be ac-
quainted with such an Ill tempered person.
Auntie says that when / get On that sub
ject L a perfect shrew. And it's worse
Of course when it's to a stranger. How
ever, I'm going home to the country to-
morrow, and SO it does not matter about
ballroom acquaintance and what London
people think of me. All the n you've
been very patient and kind"
will you give me a spray of your Tow
ers as a reward? A lily of the valley.
Thanks. Most typical and sweet. I swear
on this blossom to have il out with Lord
Steeplechase.
Franks sister has been three weeks at
home, and the day is a mellow day in
June. She is alone, and her thoughts are
running on her imprudent conduct at
that ball on the eve of her coming home
from London.
81 hope you did not really say all that
to your partner, my DEAR" said auntie,
and I am thankful you did not meet Lord
steeplechase."
A maid crosses the lawn with a letter
and hands it to her.
From Franki'' she opens and reads:
"Dear Old Girl-You will be SO jolly
glad to hear some good news at last Of
your meier do well. Lord Steepleehase has
got me an awfully swell appointment,
which will make the people sit up who
have been down on me. Not only that,
but he has paid all my debts, because he
says he is responsible, as having been the
cause of my imprudencel But don't be-
lieve q word of that, for he had really
nothing TO do with it. He seems to be
awfully fond of me. By the way, he says
he met you somewhere and he asks me to
take him down with me TO shire, and
introduce him properly. ] may ask him
to come some day, n I hope o win re-
ceiFe him decently. And that reminds me,
I am coming at once with a mutual friend
of his and mine. You may expect us at
any moment. Tel the mater TO cheer up.
Franks sister folds the letter and stands
listening to a blackbird which sends forth
an occasional soft whistle from the flower
ing chestnut trees.
stIt is a world of miracles, ;, she reflects.
lord Steeplechase turning out our bene-
factor. Where did he meet me, | wonder?
/ suppose he was afraid to get introduced.
Wheelsi Can Frank be arriving9" Two
masculine figures emerge from the trees
"Why, it is the friend of Lord Steeplechass
whom 1 talked to at the ball ! am so
glad
dear old Frank"
Dear old womani How's the maters
Did you get my letter? This is my best
cA4t<4 GeACO l4kO "a ~ ~
chase
She looked deprecatingly at the friend
while giving her hand.
81 hope you have forgotten all I said to
you that night. ] was -unpardonahly
| severe, it seems, on a third person He
has been shockingly treated-at least If he
knew--but unless you told him-did yous"
IT always keep my own secrets"
tsBut that was hardly your own"
81 made it a personal matter"
II am deeply Obliged to you. He has
done wonderful things for Frank"
Hello, I" said Frank, there is the mater.
Dear old mater, your prodigal SON has
come back. / am going to make the for
tune of the family. Lord Steepiechase''-
His mother shrieks. ssThat monster
do not name himl Only for him my SON
would hold an honored position"
Franks sister puts her hand lightly ON
her mothers lips.
Mother, there is a stranger present
Take her aside and talk to her, Frank, and
make her understand
And leave you to entertain Lord Stee-
plechases EXCELLENT Ta-tai I'm on.
Mother, take my arm and let me take you
for a quiet turn"
sSteepleehasei' She looks after the re-
treating mother and son, and then at the
mutual friend, " who has drawn q step
nearer to her.
"You are Lord Steeplechases"
"Forgive''-
"Oh!'
She struggled with her confusion for .
few moments.
you said you were only Lord Steeple-
chase's friend"
mot only his friend. Sometimes a man
is his own worst enemy. But Lord Steeple-
chase has come to Franks sister to say
that he feels as she wished him to feel,
ashamed of himself, for he had some in
voluntary share in Frank S deli~nquencies.
ST AR glad it was Involuntary. You are
older than Frank
And to allow her to have revenge"
"How?s
"By sending him out of her presence"
you ought be glad to go-or you ought
to be-"
'sGoing will be Punishment from a new
found joy and hope"
Silence. Then she says:
"But even ii I were inhospitable you
could not start at once on so warm a day
without a cup of tea. The maid appears,
bearing the tea equipage. And it is so
far to the railway station, and your horses
must be tired.
He produces, handling it very tenderly,